'LEAD WALES', an £8million project with the primary aim of helping develop 700 businesses in the region over a six year period, has recently been launched in Swansea.
The programme is the 100th to be funded by the EU in the Convergence region of West Wales and The Valleys and will be delivered through Swansea University's School of Business and Economics.
Aimed at improving skills through a range of training and networking opportunities, as well as motivation and confidence-building techniques, the programme will boost the management and leadership skills of SME business and is backed with £5million from the European Social Fund (ESF) through the Welsh Assesmbly Government.
This innovative programme concentrates on two areas of small business; the business itself and importantly, the personal development of the owner-manager; providing an opportunity to increase profitability, enable diversification and support and encourage business growth.
Are you the owner-manager of a business with real growth potential, based in the Wales convergence area? Are you an employer and have you been in business for more than a year?
On offer is £10K worth of invaluable leadership and management training to give you the tools to increase the growth and turnover of your business. And it's free of charge. Interested? Social Enterprises welcome.
LEAD WALES is designed to meet the specific needs of owner-managers, integrating active teaching with action learning and encouraging participants to share knowledge and experience with their peers and to apply what they learn to their own business situation. In sharp contrast to the other typical and traditional business support programmes, LEAD WALES focuses on small/medium sized businesses or social enterprises who have traded for over a year and employ a number of staff.
Each owner manager will join a cohort peer group of 25 owner managers and over a 10 month study work programme be required to attend two days a month, starting with an overnight weekend experiential when all are put through team building exercises in preparation for the study work.
No formal qualifications are required, only an enthusiam and commitment to learn and complete the programme is required, and each participant is continuously supported by the delivery of expertise from academics, mentors and coaching professionals through either Swansea University or The Northern Delivery Centre.
