Government launches £20m funded training programmes

Earlier this week the government announced the launch of two fully-funded training programmes, offered to small business leaders in England. The 2 schemes aim to improve small businesses’ management, productivity and problem-solving skills, and are now open for registration.

The Small Business Leadership Programme will focus on strengthening decision-makers’ leadership skills, so they are able to address management challenges, some of which, such as remote working, have arisen from coronavirus. The programme aims to equip business leaders with the confidence and leadership skills to plan for the future of their business, and help ease recovery from the impacts of coronavirus.

The 10-week programme – which will be delivered virtually by experts from university business schools – will teach participants how to maximise their business’s potential by improving productivity, organisation and efficiency. Business will undertake a series of 90-minute webinars delivered by leading business experts, and will also be required to complete up to two hours of independent study and peer-supported learning per week.

Entry requirements:

• Your business must be a small or medium-sized enterprise
• Your business needs to employ between 5 and 249 people and have been operational for at least one year
• The participant should be a decision maker or member of the senior management team within the business with at least one person reporting directly to them
• The participant must be able to commit to attending the full programme, which consists of eight 90-minute webinars during ten weeks. Participants will complete up to 2 hours of independent study and peer-supported learning per week. 

Link to scheme registration: Small Business Leadership Programme 

The Peer Networks Programme will focus on helping business owners improve their problem-solving skills, through a series of guided exercises. Participants will take part in sessions where common coronavirus related business challenges will be discussed, such as finding new customers and using technology such as customer record management and websites to adapt a business model. Members of the programme will be given skills in areas such as leadership and management, sales and marketing.

Entry requirements:

• Business must have been operated for at least one year
• Business must consist of at least five employees
• Business must have a turnover of at least £100,000
• Business must have an aspiration to improve and scale-up 

Link to scheme registration: Peer Networks Programme