DIRECTORS’ SCHOOL

TO BE a company director, no professional training is needed. The only condition is that you’re not a bankrupt. That said, any decent board will have a formal board induction program and many courses are available, ranging from boardroom boot camp to fifinancial literacy, strategy, audit and risk. Here’s a selection of the best.

Australian Institute of Company Directors, with 40,000 members, is known for its advocacy and courses. Its Company Directors Course is $7399 (members) or $10,399 (non-members), while the Governance for Directors course is $855 or $1199. AICD members are mostly directors of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and listed, government and not-for-profit board directors. In 2015, AICD set a target of 30 per cent female directors on ASX 200 companies by 2018. Visit aicd. companydirectors.com.au.

Women on Boards has helped fill 5000 board positions since 2007. It offers workshops and runs the gender ruler over 1600 organisations, including super funds and universities. It has 22,000 members and a 40:40:20 mandate (40 per cent women, 40 per cent men, 20 per cent either). Go to womenonboards.net.

Governance Institute of Australia focuses on support, networking and opportunities for professionals. Visit governanceinstitute.com.au.

Future Directors Institute is new to the scene and aims to help young aspiring directors exert more influence. Go to futuredirectors.com.au. Ethical Leadership & Compliance Australia targets the gaps in knowledge for novice senior managers and aspiring directors in SME firms. Visit elcaus.com.au.

Get on Board Australia runs online courses such as Breaking into the Boardroom and Boardroom Bootcamp. Go to getonboardaustralia.com.au.

Institute of Community Directors Australia is a network for members and senior staff of not-for-profit boards, committees and councils. It provides resources, qualifications and tools. Visit communitydirectors.com.au.