Leaders to claim training windfall

A key programme for Business Link West Mercia - delivered in the two counties by the Chamber of Commerce, Herefordshire and Worcestershire - is the managing director development initiative (MDDI) .

The programme focuses on the learning and development needs of managing directors and is open to companies employing 20 to 250 people.

"People might ask why directors of successful organisations should need to access funding in order to continue learning?" said Paul Lowe, workforce development manager for Business Link West Mercia. "Surely, the fact they are directors means that they are already successful?

"But experience and research has shown this is rarely the case. A lack of time also means directors are slow to take up training."

Mr Lowe said there was so much choice it was difficult for leaders and managers to decide on the right development for them personally.

"Business and time pressures often combine to ensure that any plans to be away from the work environment are often brought to nothing," he said.

"How many of us have gone into work before attending a meeting only to pick up the phone or read an e-mail and find an issue that only we can solve or attend to and that meeting we had always intended to go to receives only our apologies."

A key element of the MDDI programme is the opportunity to talk with an experienced business adviser in order to determine what learning needs should be tackled specifically.

"And what is more, this part of the process is provided free of charge by Business Link West Mercia," said Mr Lowe.

The assessment produces a personal action plan with clear signposting to organisations that can address the needs.

A letter of agreement is then issued agreeing the payment of up to £1,000 towards the costs of the learning outlined and agreed in the plan.

For information phone Paul Lowe, workforce development manager, or Fay Blakey, leadership and management programme lead, on 0845 641 1541