Women emerge capable, hours flexible...

EDGE Hill University’s Business School is celebrating boosting the skills of 500 female employees across Lancashire with their management and leadership skills programme.

The great news came as the University celebrated International Women’s Day, reflecting on the University’s proud history of championing women’s rights.

The Leading Lancashire project, part-funded by the European Social Fund, aims to develop the skills of employees and embed new leadership and management capabilities in the region’s SMEs, through the delivery of professional Chartered Management Institute (CMI) qualifications.

John Mercer, Associate Director of Edge Hill’s Business School and Director of the University’s Leading Lancashire programme, said: “This is an amazing and poignant milestone which highlights the University’s commitment to equality and diversity. Over half of the employees we have supported so far are female, which demonstrates the positive enthusiasm across the region from ambitious female leaders who are eager to develop their skills and confidence and prepare themselves to progress into senior roles.”

The programme has now helped over 800 local employees from over 380 SMEs from across Lancashire to embed high-quality management and leadership skills and knowledge within their management teams and build the confidence of their managers.

The programme is offered fully funded to Lancashire SMEs and their employees through online delivery by a team of academic experts from the Business School.

The flexible delivery means that individuals can adapt their learning around their busy work and home commitments.

Camilla Evans, Agricultural Business Development Executive, Evans Vanodine International studied the CMI Level 7 Strategic Management & Leadership course. “I am the first female family member to enter the business in an active role, it’s of utmost importance to me that I see the business thrive into the future.

“The CMI course was a fantastic experience, it has enabled me to approach management from a different perspective whilst learning new techniques to achieve effective results.

International Women’s Day is about honouring the women who inspire us and have paved the way, so we can prosper. Through lifting and supporting others, we as women can rise. Courses that support women in business are key in levelling the gender business landscape.”

The programme only has a few more enrolment opportunities over the coming months, and employees and business owners are advised to take advantage of the opportunity before it closes in the summer.

In line with Edge Hill’s commitment to equality and diversity, Leading Lancashire is encouraging applications from under-represented groups including females and members of the Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) and disabled communities. Priority will be offered to those applications for the remaining places.

Course dates have been added to the Business School programme for 2022 and details of how to apply can be accessed via the website.