Shropshire Chamber of Commerce is excited to introduce a new training programme called ‘Active Leadership’ this month. The programme, worth £4,500 per participant, will run for five days and include three hours of one-to-one coaching. Expert business coaches will deliver the fully-funded programme aimed at existing leaders and managers who want to improve their skills and implement best practices within their organisation.

Businesses in the Shropshire Council area are eligible for the programme, but it does not extend to Telford & Wrekin. The first cohort will start on November 15 in Shrewsbury, with more to follow in the new year. “We will be running these courses throughout 2024 as part of the Chamber’s commitment to supporting the upskilling and reskilling of the county’s workforce,” said Shropshire Chamber chief executive Ruth Ross.

The Active Leadership programme is part of the Chamber’s ‘Business Growth Through Upskilling’ project, which will be delivered across Shropshire’s market towns including Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Market Drayton, Bridgnorth, and Ludlow. The aim of the project is to make upskilling and reskilling opportunities more accessible and convenient to businesses in all corners of the county, with the ultimate goal of ‘levelling up’ the availability of such opportunities.

In addition to the Active Leadership programme, the project will also include a series of Team Upskilling training courses starting early next year, again fully funded for businesses in the Shropshire Council area but not Telford & Wrekin. These courses will cover various business-critical topics designed to boost the confidence and skills of staff.

“These initiatives demonstrate our commitment to supporting economic growth and prosperity in Shropshire,” said Ruth Ross. The project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK by investing in communities and place, supporting local businesses, and enhancing people’s skills.