Leadership & Management Training Grants

Benefits 

  • Free Professional skills diagnostic
  • Free expert advice in locating suitable training
  • £500 funding grant, plus £500 matched funding (sums inclusive of VAT)

    • This government funding scheme is proving to be fast, pragmatic, and appropriate to the needs of many small and medium sized businesses.

    Focus can advise how to use this grant to help fund PRINCE2, ITIL or other management training.  We will introduce you to an independent specialist advisor in your region who can assist with your application.

    >> Ask Focus to help

       

    Eligibility 

  • Businesses or organisations with 5 to 250 employees (can include part timers and volunteers) 
  • Support must be directed to the needs of the business leader or senior management team
  • Only one application per organisation under the scheme



    • How it Works 

  • A specialist advisor will carry out an analysis of your development needs
  • You will be assisted in creating a simple personal or team development plan
  • Appropriate courses or learning opportunities will be identified - or you may have already identified your course
  • You will receive an Agreement Letter confirming the course and grant payment (course to commence within 90 days)
  • You book and pay your training provider for the course
  • Having completed the training, submit your claim for reimbursement of costs up to £1,000 (proof of payment required) 
  • Support must be directed to the needs of the business leader or senior management team
  • Only one application per organisation under the scheme

    • You will find that your specialist advisor is very willing to help steer you through the form filling or online application to make the process as painless as possible (detailed process can vary from region to region).


    Applicable Training

    There is no set list of training that can be supported. The objective is to identify those inputs which will have most impact on the personal effectiveness of the senior managers, or on the strategic development of the business. This can include:

  • Coaching and mentoring for key business leaders
  • Tailored training to meet specific needs
  • Standard training courses in areas such as change management, project management, risk management, service management and leadership

    The standard training courses do not need to be accredited - but many prefer proven "best practice" training which leads to a recognised qualification. 

    • >> OGC - Change Management

    >> PRINCE2 - Project Management

    >> APM - Project Management

    >> MoR - Management of Risk

    >> ITIL - IT Service Management

    >> ISEB - Business Analysis



    Contacts

    The scheme can be accessed in different ways though in each case you will be steered towards one of the network of specialist leadership and management advisors.

    1. Focus on Training

    Call 0845 450 6120

    >> Ask Focus to help

    2. Train to Gain / Business Link

    The Leadership & Management Specialist Advisory Service is one of many government supported schemes to promote learning and skills development. Previously offered under the "Train to Gain" banner this business support has since April 2009 been integrated with the other business support services under "Business Link".

    Call Business Link on 0845 600 9006

    >> Online Business Link Contact Form

    3. Regional Organisations Responsible for Administering the Scheme

    Whilst the scheme operates across the UK our customers report that there is variability in the responsiveness and flexibility between the regions. In some instances the delivery contract is held by the same organisation which delivers Business Link services.

    East Midlands
    Business Link East Midlands
    www.businesslink.gov.uk/eastmidlands

    East of England
    The Consultancy Home Counties Ltd
    www.tchc.net

    London AND Yorkshire & Humberside
    Exemplas
    www.exemplas.com

    North East
    Northumberland Business Services
    www.n-bs.co.uk

    North West
    Business Link North West
    www.businesslinknw.co.uk

    South East
    Skills South East
    www.traintogainse.co.uk

    South West
    Northern Arc Limited
    www.businesslinksw.co.uk

    West Midlands
    West Midlands Brokerage Services
    www.businesslinkwm.co.uk

     

    Background to the Scheme

    The scheme forms part of a wider range of support that government offers through the Learning & Skills Council. Much of this is directed towards young people who have not yet obtained qualifications at Level 2 or Level 3. There are also schemes to support apprenticeships and specialist support for larger organisations.

    The Leadership and Management scheme was re-launched in January 2009 following the announcement that a £350m fund was being allocated to help smaller businesses get through the tough economic climate by building the skills and expertise of their workers.

    The scheme emphasises "bite-sized" training modules which offer rapid financial return. More than 340,000 employers have access to a training grant - covering 6.2m employees across England.

    >> More Information about Funding for Training