Develop your leadership skills right here in Lochaber!

‘Skills for Work’ is a key focus of Lochaber Chamber of Commerce’s work to support local business. As well as Developing the Young Workforce West Highland, we also run seminars and training events for members throughout the year.

When it comes to business success, we know it’s all about leadership. The ability to lead individuals and teams to success is arguably the most important skill a manager can possess.

But when you live and work in a rural Highland location, what is the most effective way to develop your staff’s leadership potential and skills?

Following the popularity of our business skills seminars, we surveyed local businesses and developed the ‘One Lochaber’ Leadership Programme’ to provide a bespoke one-year accredited course to help develop the next generation of business leaders within organisations - right here in Lochaber. Successful delegates receive a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management.

This high-quality leadership programme is fully accredited through the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and delivered by experienced trainers Bruce Milroy and Clare Moore of Ethos Consulting. Along with additional training and 1-2-1 coaching, delegates work towards a CMI Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management qualification over the course of a year. There are many benefits of the One Lochaber Leadership Programme the flexible style makes it easy to fit in with work, the small group style creates a friendly, informal learning environment with personal attention from tutors; plus there’s no expensive and time-consuming travel and accommodation costs.

Marina Marin (pictured), Supply Chain Controller at BSW Timber, is a recent graduate of the One Lochaber Leadership Programme. Marina has worked in BSW’s logistics team for five years. She jumped at the chance to develop her understanding of managing and leading teams, saying: The One Lochaber Leadership Programme has been a great opportunity to learn in depth what leadership entails. The content was wide, structured, and applicable to all sorts of working environments. I would certainly recommend this program to others and I would encourage businesses to enrol their employees as the benefits from it are countless.’

This leadership programme is locally developed and locally delivered. Led by expert leadership trainers, it gives Lochaber businesses the capability to lead through uncertain times, create the capacity to set and achieve challenging strategic goals, take decisive action at pace, out-perform the competition and create an environment that inspires all of your company’s people to perform at the highest level.

The Chamber has also recently launched the One Lochaber Mentorship Programme, to complement the One Lochaber Leadership Programme. This new programme taps into the wealth of experience that local business people can share with others in the business community.

If you or a member of your team would like to join the next One Lochaber Leadership Programme, please visit www.lochaberchamber.co.uk or contact Wendy Reid, Skills for Work Manager, on wendy.reid@lochaberchamber.co.uk for more information.