Call for Applicants for Female Leadership Programme

Ambitious women working in the Ards and North Down area are invited to apply for a new intake of the Female Leadership Programme, which aims to boost business skills and deliver a highly regarded management qualification.

Fully funded by Ards and North Down Borough Council, the Female Leadership Programme (the Programme) will be delivered by South Eastern Regional College (SERC) commencing with five masterclasses – the first of which will be face to face – running from Monday 11 November to the end of March 2025, alongside the two levels of the programme.

The Level 5 Programme will start on Wednesday 8 January for six weeks and includes five hours one-to-one mentoring (face to face or online) to address business and individual needs and challenges; networking opportunities at (face to face and online) masterclasses, and support to achieve a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) qualification at Level 5 (online). 

The Level 7 Programme will start online on Tuesday 7 January 2025 and will run for 12 weeks. It includes 9.5 hours one-to-one mentoring (face to face or online) to address business and individual needs and challenges; networking at (face to face and online) masterclasses, and support to achieve a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) qualification at Level 7 (online). 

Christine Cackett, Policy & Improvement Manager at Radius Housing (pictured above left), gained the CMI Level 5 on last year’s Female Leadership Programme at SERC, says the programme has had a positive impact on her career: “I had recently attended a housing professionals’ conference where there was a lot of buzz about 'accidental managers' - people who find themselves in managerial roles without formal training. The discussion highlighted the growing push for all managers to have management qualifications. It was shortly after that I found out about and applied for the Female Leadership Programme. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to learn more and to develop my skills."

She added, “The Female Leadership Programme has boosted my confidence and I've been able to directly apply the practical skills I gained to my job. The experience also played a key role in my successful promotion to a managerial position within eight months of completing the course."

She concluded, “I would encourage other women in the area to apply. The course offers a supportive and collaborative learning environment where you can thrive. The course offers a diverse learning environment which is beneficial for business owners, aspiring managers and experienced professionals alike, plus it was convenient to attend online.”

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, added, “The Female Leadership Programme has been designed to help address many of the barriers that women must overcome in order to pursue their ambitions in leadership and management roles. The course structure aims to minimise disruption to day-to-day business and home commitments, whilst giving local women the opportunity to drive their career progression for those leadership and management roles that will help drive our local economy."     

“Supporting more women into senior roles will not only make our businesses more representative, but it will also improve the products and services they deliver. The mentoring on offer through the Female Leadership Programme is invaluable. I would encourage anyone eligible to sign-up for this initiative to help take their career and business to the next level.”  

Participants must be a resident or working in the Ards and North Down Borough Council area. The programme is open to female business owners of small or micro enterprises, employees, or individuals.
To find out more visit: wwww.serc.ac.uk/Female-Leadership-Programme To apply, email: dscott@serc.ac.uk