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Workplace Skills

In partnership with

Make Strides is proud to partner with the Chamber to deliver practical, digital-first training that develops skills, builds confidence and drives business growth, from early careers to leadership.

PRACTICAL LEARNING. REAL IMPACT.

From developing young talent to strengthening leadership, Make Strides offers flexible, cost-effective digital learning tailored to your organisation’s needs.

Let’s work together to build skills and support future growth.

EARLY CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Build confidence, connections, and real impact from day one.

  • Build essential workplace skills
  • Improve communication and collaboration
  • Develop a growth mindset
  • Prepare for the next step in their career
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Practical leadership development for managers and future leaders.

  • Lead with confidence and clarity
  • Motivate and empower your team
  • Manage performance and change
  • Build a positive culture
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OUR PROGRAMMES

Our digital learning programmes equip professionals with the skills, confidence and practical tools to make a real impact at work. From early career development to advanced leadership, flexible, self-paced courses help participants grow, tackle workplace challenges and apply their learning straight away. Peer group coaching adds value through shared experiences and insights. Explore our programmes below.

YOUR EARLY CAREER

Develop essential workplace skills, strengthen communication and collaboration, build a growth mindset and gain the confidence to take the next step in their career.

MEMBER PRICE: £695 + VAT

NON-MEMBER PRICE: £795 + VAT

Flexible accredited learning, activites and group coaching.

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LEADERSHIP

Develop confident, effective leadership skills to motivate and empower teams, manage performance and change, and create a positive workplace culture.

MEMBER PRICE: £895 + VAT

NON-MEMBER PRICE: £995 + VAT

Flexible accredited learning, activites and group coaching.

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OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Got a question about our digital training programmes? You’re not alone. We’ve pulled together answers to the most common queries to help you understand how our programmes work, what to expect, and how to get started.

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1. Who are your programmes designed for?

Our programmes are for people at all career stages—from early careers to leadership development, career returners, and those preparing for retirement. Businesses can also use our training to up-skill employees.

2. Do I need to be a paid member of the institute to retain my accreditation?

No, you do not have to do this, however you will not be able to use the letters after your name. However, the actual accreditation is a lifetime accreditation.

3. Can I do a programme without the Institute of Leadership studying member or accreditation?

Yes, you can. You will receive non-accredited Make Strides digital badge and certificates.

4. Do I need ongoing access to the programme beyond year 1?
Yes, to enable the individual to go back and re-visit modules, tools, templates and other resources we will be building in the future. The programme will be continuously improved and developed over time. We can provide pricing for 1 year, 2 years or 3 years access.
5. Do I need to complete the programme in a set order?
Yes, you do as we have carefully crafted the journey to build on each level and topic.
6. Can I start at any stage of the programme?
Yes, you can start at level 1 or 2 of Early careers and level 4 or 5 for Leadership.
7. Can I create a tailored programme by selecting from all the modules?
Yes, you can at a company level with a minimum of 5 people participating. We would discuss your needs and propose a journey that is bespoke to your company.

CHAMBER TRAINING COURSES

The Chamber delivers over 100 training courses annually, covering a diverse range of topics such as Sales and Customer Service, Leadership and Management, PR and Marketing, Information Technology, People Development, and Health and Safety. Explore a selection of our upcoming courses below.

ABOUT MAKE STRIDES

At Make Strides, we are committed to providing digital first career and workplace skills development. Our digital, self-paced learning programmes are designed to support professionals through every stage of their career, from starting out to stepping up, with supportive peer group coaching throughout. We believe in empowering individuals at any stage of their career or life, making learning flexible and accessible. Whether you are fresh into the workplace or progressing in leadership our programmes ensure continuous growth at every phase of your career journey.

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CASE STUDIES

Discover how our programmes make a real difference in the workplace. Through these case studies, explore how organisations have developed their people, strengthened leadership and built the skills and confidence needed to achieve lasting impact.

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Heritage Network

Step On Board

Client: Heritage Network

Industry: Membership organisation

Team size: 15

Programmes: Young Trustee Programme

Focus Areas: Confidence, Participation, Mentoring, Leadership Development

 

About Heritage Network

Heritage Network is a UK-wide membership organisation that brings together people who have successfully delivered heritage projects. Its mission is to support community organisations, charities, and social enterprises to restore, reuse, and manage historic sites for community benefit.

Through peer learning, knowledge sharing, networking, and practical guidance, the Network helps organisations navigate every stage of regeneration projects and long-term site management. It also advocates on behalf of its members, amplifying their impact across the heritage sector.

 

The Challenge

As part of its Young Trustee Programme, Heritage Network wanted to provide high-quality learning and development opportunities for both young participants and experienced mentors.

The organisation recognised that specialist expertise was needed to design and deliver training that would:

  • Build confidence among young people participating in governance and decision-making
  • Develop professional skills to support meaningful participation
  • Strengthen mentors’ leadership and mentoring capabilities
  • Create a positive learning experience that supports both groups throughout the programme

 

Why Make Strides

After exploring potential partners, Heritage Network chose Make Strides because of expertise in developing young people’s confidence and amplifying young voices.

The team demonstrated strong understanding of the programme’s aims and shared Heritage Network’s commitment to increasing young people’s involvements and influence within the heritage sector.

 

The Programme

The programme brought together young people aged 18-30 participating in the Young Trustee initiative alongside experienced professionals acting as mentors.

Training sessions for young participants focused on confidence building, communication, and contributing effectively within meetings and governance settings. Mentor workshops centred on leadership development and mentoring skills, equipping participants to provide meaningful support throughout the programme.

 

The Impact

While the programme is ongoing, Heritage Network has already seen:

  • Increased confidence among young participants as they begin the programme
  • Reduced anxiety around contributing to discussions and meetings
  • Strong engagement from both mentors and young participants
  • Positive feedback on the quality and relevance of the training delivered

In Their Words

“Make Strides were a pleasure to work with. They took the time to really understand what we wanted to achieve and ensured the training was accessible, relevant, and tailored to our project. Their contribution was definitely a highlight of the programme.” – Phoebe, Heritage Network

“ I feel much more confident in the next steps on the programme.” – Anonymous

“The session reinforced my initial ideas about the role and added in a positive way. I enjoyed the interactivity” – Anonymous

“It helped reduce my anxiety around approaching an intimidating situation for the first time.” – Anonymous

“I will go into the experience feeling a lot more comfortable knowing what to expect, and what is expected from me.” – Anonymous

“The majority of participants described the training and onboarding process as useful and informative. Two of the mentors who already had experience with mentoring young people said that the training was fairly basic, but one of these mentors also described the training as a good refresher and that it would be useful had they not had that previous experience.

The workshops delivered by Make Strides received particularly positive feedback. Participants appreciated the opportunity to connect with others involved in the programme and valued working through realistic board-related scenarios in a supportive environment.

The self-guided learning modules were also well received. Participants noted that the flexibility to complete modules at their own pace was beneficial, and that there was a wide range of useful material available to support them throughout the programme.” – Heritage Network

Looking Ahead

As the programme continues, Heritage Network looks forward to gathering further participant feedback and building on the foundations established through the training. The organisation remains committed to strengthening opportunities for young people within the heritage sector and supporting the next generation of trustees and leaders.

Central Finance

Upskilling for Growth: How Central Finance is Building Confident Future Leaders

Client: Central Finance
Industry: Commercial Finance
Team Size: 16 employees
Programmes: Leadership Development Programme
Focus Areas: Confidence, Communication, Leadership Readiness

 

About Central Finance

Central Finance is an FCA-regulated commercial finance broker supporting SMEs with business loans, asset finance, property finance, and grant funding.

As the company grew, the board recognised the need to invest in internal talent. Their goal? Empower existing staff, promote from within, and deliver an even better client experience.

 

The Challenge

With team expansion underway, Central Finance wanted to ensure staff development kept pace. They needed a flexible, high-quality training programme that would:

  • Build leadership capability
  • Improve confidence and communication
  • Support internal promotions and productivity
  • Enhance the overall client journey

 

Why Make Strides

Central Finance chose Make Strides for several key reasons:

  • Trusted relationships with the team behind the business
  • Blended learning approach (in-person + digital)
  • Institute of Leadership Approved content
  • Excellent value for a professional-grade training solution

 

The Programme

Participants enrolled in the Leadership Development Programme, designed to enhance team skills while being practical, flexible, and engaging.

 

What participants loved:

“The content is varied, enjoyable, and a great mix of learning styles.”

 

The Impact

Since starting the programme, Central Finance has seen:

  • Noticeable growth in team confidence
  • Staff taking on more responsibility at a higher level
  • A stronger foundation for internal promotions and leadership development

“The team are building confidence and taking on more work at a higher level.”

 

In Their Words

“Make Strides genuinely cares about personal and professional development. Their trainers are knowledgeable, approachable, and passionate, which made every session engaging and impactful.”

“Whether you’re looking to build confidence, develop new skills, or progress your career, Make Strides gives you the tools and support to succeed.”

 

Looking Ahead

Central Finance has already seen the value of the training. They’re excited to continue growing with Make Strides as a trusted partner and hope to see ongoing development of modules to deepen learning even further.

Primrose Hospice

Strengthening Leadership with a Hybrid Approach

Client: Primrose Hospice & Family Support Centre
Industry: Healthcare (Charity / Hospice Care)
Team Size: 55 employees
Programmes: Ready to Grow, Emerging Leaders
Focus Areas: Leadership Development, Confidence, Communication, Growth Mindset

 

About Primrose Hospice

Primrose Hospice & Family Support Centre is an independent charity based in North Worcestershire. It offers care and advice to patients living with life-limiting illnesses and vital support for their families, including those who are bereaved or facing challenging diagnoses. With a team of 55 staff across different roles and locations, Primrose is committed to building confident, compassionate leaders who can support others while thriving in their own development.

 

The Challenge

Primrose Hospice wanted to strengthen leadership and management across its organisation. They needed a high-quality, flexible programme delivered by a local, supportive partner that could:

  • Equip staff with tools to lead in a healthcare charity setting
  • Offer hybrid learning to suit different work patterns
  • Support personal growth and future career development
  • Bring fresh thinking and inclusive leadership concepts to the team

 

Why Make Strides

Primrose Hospice chose Make Strides for several key reasons:

  • Local and supportive provider: A team that understands the values of a charity like Primrose
  • Hybrid delivery model: A mix of face-to-face and digital learning that fits their needs
  • Accessibility and flexibility: Easy for staff across departments and roles to take part
  • Accredited, practical content: Designed to support real-world application in a care-focused environment

 

The Programme

Staff participated in the ‘Ready to Grow’ and ‘Emerging Leaders’ programmes, which were designed to help new, aspiring, and experienced leaders develop confidence, sharpen communication, and build personal growth plans.

 

Early feedback:

“The learning journals, reflection time, and growth plans really helped us make the most of the experience.”

 

The Impact

Since launching the programme, Primrose Hospice has seen:

  • A clear boost in staff confidence and a shift towards a growth mindset
  • Teams communicating more effectively and working more closely together
  • Participants actively developing leadership styles and long-term growth plans
  • Positive impact on new and established leaders across the organisation

 

In Their Words

“It was a real privilege to take part in the programme, experiencing new ideas and concepts and seeing the growth in myself and others.”

“The content on resilience and motivation really helped me manage pressure and challenges at work.”

 

Looking Ahead

Primrose Hospice is proud to invest in its people and looks forward to continuing to build leadership capacity within the organisation. With Make Strides as a trusted partner, they are supporting staff at every level to lead with purpose, compassion, and confidence, now and into the future.

Coventry University Students Union

Digital First Leadership Training for a Modern Workforce

Client: Coventry University Students’ Union
Industry: Higher Education (Students’ Union / Charity)
Team Size: 100+ employees across multiple locations
Programmes: Digital Leadership Programme
Focus Areas: Skills Development, Leadership Growth, Accessible Learning

 

About Coventry University Students’ Union

Coventry University Students’ Union (CUSU) is a student-led, registered charity, independent from the university. It exists to represent the interests of students, provide a voice for change, deliver social activities, and offer vital support services that enhance student life.

With staff working across different campuses, locations, and hybrid setups, CUSU wanted to invest in their team’s growth and future career development while ensuring the training was accessible and engaging for everyone.

 

The Challenge

CUSU recognised the importance of developing leadership skills across its workforce. They needed a flexible, digital-first programme that would:

  • Support professional and personal skills development
  • Give staff opportunities to grow and prepare for future leadership roles
  • Provide an accessible, inclusive solution for a geographically dispersed team
  • Deliver fresh, relevant content tailored to today’s workplace challenges

 

Why Make Strides

After reviewing options, CUSU chose Make Strides for several reasons:

  • Digital delivery: Accessible to all staff, regardless of location or working pattern
  • Institute of Leadership Accreditation: Recognised, high-quality content
  • Fresh and relevant modules: Modern training designed for today’s workplace
  • Supportive approach: A partner willing to accommodate organisational needs

 

The Programme

Participants enrolled in the Digital Leadership Programme, designed to help employees gain new skills, apply them in their roles, and feel invested in by their organisation.

Early feedback:

“The content is easy to access and apply. It feels relevant to my role and is helping me think differently about leadership.”

 

The Impact

While the programme is still in progress, CUSU has already seen:

  • Positive early feedback from participants about the quality and accessibility of content
  • Steady progress through modules despite different schedules and working patterns
  • Increased engagement in leadership conversations and professional development opportunities

 

In Their Words

“Make Strides has been very helpful and accommodating of our needs. The digital format makes it easy for all our staff to access leadership development training, no matter where they’re based.”

 

Looking Ahead

CUSU is committed to continuing to invest in its people, building future-ready leaders who can have a positive impact both within the Students’ Union and in their future careers. With Make Strides as a trusted partner, CUSU plans to keep offering accessible, high-quality learning opportunities that fit the needs of a modern, diverse workforce.

 

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