LEAP – for Edinburgh Enterprises
The Making Work Work - LEAP project (Learning, Employability, and Purpose), runs from August 2023 to March 2024 as a partnership between The Challenges Group and their Making Work Work brand and Firstport. Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and supported by Capital City Partnership and the City of Edinburgh Council, this programme supports experienced women professionals to get back to the workplace after a career break for childcare or other reasons. We provide tailored, skilled pro bono resources to applicable Edinburgh-based social businesses on a project basis for the period Jan – March 2024.
The core component of the programme is an 8–10-week placement, 16 hours per week, between January and March 2023 within social businesses in Edinburgh. This placement serves the dual purpose of enabling participants to refresh or continue their skills development by contributing pro bono consultancy support to host organisations and provides the host organisation with access to a highly skilled pool of talent on agreed priority areas. Placements are facilitated free of charge to host organisations.
The participants receive six, three-hour training sessions in management, consultancy, and leadership. This training programme is recognised by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Host organisations also benefit from six, three-hour training sessions in a CMI-recognised programme, Managing with Purpose. Both groups also receive Flexible Working and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion training sessions. All training participants (women and host organisations) receive a CMI CPD certificate on completion.
LEAP Information for host organisations:
We will work with social businesses to identify potential short-term skilled placement opportunities tailored to current or future objectives. LEAP and Firstport will match the skill levels and expertise of the women registered with LEAP to the requirements of the organisation. This is a unique opportunity to bring a highly skilled professional to your organisation whose capabilities align with your objectives as well as to bring a fresh perspective and a wealth of experience.
Training:
Host organisations will receive Chartered Management Institute (CMI) recognised training from The Challenges Group in Managing with Purpose. Each host organisation can nominate one or two staff members (in management or who are progressing into management) for this training which will take place over six three-hour online sessions.
The Managing with Purpose training covers topics such as management, leadership, performance management, and the benefits of CPD.
Training Participants will also enjoy extra CMI benefits such as:
Access to CMI Events (online and in person).
Kooth Membership: Access to Kooth, the UK's premier workplace and wellbeing platform.
CMI Templates: A valuable resource for templates.
Management Diagnostic: Tools to assess and improve management practices.
Practical Guides: Over 200 step-by-step guides to address key management challenges.
Furthermore, host organisations will receive two additional Making Work Work training modules in Flexible Working and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.
The subsidised training cost is £625 per participant, with additional subsidies available for host organisations based on eligibility.
To express interest in becoming a host organisation please contact Amy Blake at amy.earnshawblake@thechallengesgroup.com
Are you a women returner looking for information about LEAP?
In Partnership With:
For further information, please contact the team on womenreturners@thechallengesgroup.com.