Funding for Leadership and Management Skills

Funding for Leadership and Management Skills Still Top of Regional Agenda in the South East

Thursday, 15 July 2010 – With the economy coming under increased pressure, and businesses looking to competitive advantage as they come out of recession, the need for well trained leaders and managers within our small businesses across the South East region is even more important.

Despite the doom and gloom on cuts to Government Funding in order to reduce the deficit, the funding to support the development of leadership and management capabilities of small and medium enterprises in the South East is STILL available until March 2011.

The Leadership and Management Advisory Service, through Skills South East has been available for over two years and will continue through the next nine months as businesses look to achieve high quality management skills to deliver better performance from their teams, ensuring that businesses are continually developed and organisations effectively managed to make full use of their staff to optimise business benefits.

The service from Skills South East includes an appraisal from a qualified and experienced Leadership and Management Adviser who helps the MD or company owner identify the training and development requirements. They offer a choice of flexible, tailored learning solutions to suit an individual and their business needs and up to £1000 in the form of a grant towards the cost of the learning.

Commenting on the available funding, Dave Rowland Chief Executive of Skills South East said, “The importance of securing competitive advantage in the UK and abroad will be critical over the next year. The search for differentiation in business, and for products and services which meet changing consumer needs will continue across every sector. We need to make sure the UK and most notably the South East keeps at the forefront of this emergence.

“We know there are skills gaps in specific sectors and this grant goes some way to support all our business leaders as they look to lead their organisations forward. I would encourage any MD who has not submitted a grant application to call us on 0845 026 4298 or visit our web site at www.skillssoutheast.co.uk as soon as possible.”

Notes to Editors

About Skills South East

The Leadership & Management Advisory Service is delivered by Skills South East and they have helped more than 4000 businesses in 2009/10 and have funding to support more than 5000 through 2010/11.   

Skills South East works with all types of organisations, large or small, in the private, public and third sectors. Skills South East give employers impartial skills advice to help them develop their people and improve business performance.  Their broad business experience and high level of expertise in key sectors – ensures that their advice really does make a difference.

Skills South East Provide the Train to Gain Leadership & Management Advisory Service on behalf of SEEDA, the South East England Development Agency. SEEDA is the Government-funded agency responsible for the sustainable economic development of the South East of England – the driving force of the UK’s economy.  Through supporting businesses, encouraging innovation, developing skills and engaging with public and private partners, we aim to create a successful, sustainable future for the region.