Fully funded through Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Economic Development Department, the Female Leadership programme will be delivered by South Eastern Regional College (SERC) over six weeks from 20 November.
Participants will benefit from five hours one-to-one mentoring - face to face or online - to address business and individual needs and challenges, and online tutoring towards achieving a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) qualification at Level 3, Level 5 or Level 7.
Carla Hodgson, a self-employed artist who gained the CMI Level 5 on last year’s Women into Leadership programme at SERC, says the programme has had a big impact on her working life: “I wasn’t sure about returning to study, but the teacher was incredible and got me through. It's helped me think differently: I take my business seriously and I consider the bigger picture. I can see the structure of what I am doing, and I have a better understanding of the language of business – and have the confidence to use it! Getting the qualification was amazing – I had a huge sense of achievement.”
Angela McAllister of Ards and North Down Borough Councils’ Economic Development Team, adds: “The Female Leadership programme has been designed to help address many of the barriers that women must overcome in order to pursue their ambitions in leadership and management roles. The course structure aims to minimise disruption to day-to-day business and home commitments, whilst giving local women the opportunity to drive their career progression for those leadership and management roles that will help drive our local economy.
“Supporting more women into senior roles will not only make our businesses more representative, but it will also improve the products and services they deliver. The mentoring on offer through the Women in Leadership programme is invaluable. I would encourage anyone eligible to sign-up for this initiative to help take their career and business to the next level.” Participants must be a resident or working in the Ards and North Down Borough Council area. The programme is open to female business owners of small or micro enterprises, employees, or individuals.
To find out more go to www.serc.ac.uk/Female-Leadership-Programme
To apply, email claremcmanus@serc.ac.uk
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