The University of Winchester has announced more support for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the region to boost their leadership skills and business performance through the Government's Help to Grow Management executive development course.
In 2021, Winchester was one of the first business schools in the UK to deliver Help to Grow Management, the Government's flagship leadership and management course. Since then, 75 senior business leaders in the region have completed the course at Winchester.
Ninety per cent of the cost of the £7,500 course is subsidised by the Government , meaning businesses pay a fee of just £750.
However, the University is currently waiving the £750 fee, to support local and regional businesses to participate in the course free of charge.
Stella McKnight, Dean of Apprenticeships and Director of Help to Grow Management at the University of Winchester, said: "I'm delighted to announce that, as a result of the University of Winchester's support, local businesses will now receive a fully-funded, 12-week executive development leadership and management course designed to build resilience and accelerate the growth of their business.
"This will be particularly beneficial as the economic climate becomes increasingly challenging. Our team of academics and expert practitioners is committed to providing SMEs with the knowledge and skills to help them drive growth, innovate and realise their potential. By the end of the programme, business leaders will develop a tailored business growth plan to help their business achieve its next stage of success."
Amanda Harvey, Executive Director of an SME, who has completed the course, said: "I'd highly recommend this programme for anyone seeking growth or for those looking to sustain their business's current position in a fast-changing environment."
"One of the big highlights for me on the programme is the peer support," said Hannah Ward, Business Manager, Great Ballard School. "Meeting with a peer group weekly was fantastic, to meet people from different industries, to be able to draw parallels and comparisons - even though the industries may be very different."
The 12-week programme combines one-to-one mentoring with a practical curriculum taught by the University's team of business experts and experienced practitioners. It also provides businesses with the opportunity to learn from each other, as well as providing access to an extensive network of alumni. Designed to be manageable alongside full-time work, modules cover financial management, strategies for growth and innovation, leading a high-performance workplace and digital adoption.
The next programme starts in January 2023. For more information, visit:
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