Barclays has provided support to the UK Government on its Help to Grow: Management programme - an Executive Development programme accredited by the Small Business Charter, designed to provide management training for UK SMEs to help boost productivity.
The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, first announced the scheme in his March Budget as part of the UK Government’s levelling-up agenda and Plan for Jobs. The 12-week programme will advise small and medium enterprises on how to innovate, reach new customers and grow.
The programme will be delivered by leading business schools across the UK. It combines a practical curriculum, 1:1 support from a business mentor, peer-learning sessions and access to an alumni network.
The programme is designed to be manageable alongside full-time work and supports small business leaders to develop their strategic skills with key modules covering financial management and business innovation.
Hannah Bernard, Head of Business Banking at Barclays, said, “We firmly believe that unlocking business skills and talent can drive the UK’s economic recovery at pace. Barclays has invested in skills for many years, through LifeSkills, our Eagle Labs network, as well as a number of our accelerator programmes.
“We’re pleased to support the Government with this drive to boost business growth and further develop the skills of the nation’s small business owners.”
There are 30,000 places available over 3 years. It will be 90% subsidised by Government with a cost of £750 for successful applicants. It is open to businesses with more than five employees that have been trading for over a year.
Over 600 businesses have signed up for the scheme with a further 10,000 registering interest, according to the Treasury.
You can apply for the programme here.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said, “Small businesses are key to our innovation and economy and will therefore be an essential part to our recovery from the pandemic, which is why we are levelling up their skills through the Help to Grow schemes. I want to bring some of the best bits of management training from around the world to help boost productivity here in the UK.”
He added, “Help to Grow: Management will ensure our brilliant SMEs seize every opportunity to grow, fuelling our Plan for Jobs by boosting productivity in all corners of the UK.”
Barclays and other major banks will support thousands of places on the executive training programme and contribute their expertise to the curriculum, mentoring programme and alumni network. They will also play an active role in promoting the scheme to their SME customers.