The Leadership for Growth programme develops the capabilities of existing and aspiring leading within high-growth and scale-up potential SMEs, enabling them to improve business performance, productivity, and deliver change. Leadership for Growth offers two leadership development courses which help SMEs address either operational or strategic leadership capabilities.
The courses are designed to create ‘action-centred’ leaders, with dynamic capabilities to repeatedly lead change, growth and development in organisations and their employees. They take an action-learning approach which allows SMEs to focus on their specific challenges or opportunities. The courses is delivered online, in a tutor-led, peer-to-peer format, utilising lead-edge virtual learning environment and collaboration technologies. The courses are designed to support maximum accessibility and inclusion, particularly enabling participation from people typically under-represented in management and leadership roles.
Developing our leadership capabilities helped us think about the strategic changes the business needed to achieve our growth ambitions.
Raasheed Pakwashi, Technical Director – SME Water
Which courses are available and what will you study?
For new, accidental or aspiring managers to develop personal management capabilities and skills, including decision-making, managing team dynamics and delegation capability.
Course duration and delivery
- Learners must complete the two stated units to achieve the CMI Level 4 Certificate.
- Total course duration is 16 weeks.
- Each unit is 8 weeks.
- Weekly tutor-led sessions (3 hours) will be delivered online.
- All course materials will also be available throughout on the Virtual Learning Environment.
- All learners will be registered with the CMI on outset and have access to their extensive Managers.org platform for additional learning materials.
Compulsory unit 1:
Managerial Styles and Behaviours (Unit 4001v1)
This unit teaches about the skills of effective and efficient managerial styles and behaviours. The unit will assess how managerial styles and behaviours may be adapted in line with organisational objectives and expectations.
Additional unit 2:
Management and Leadership Influencing Skills (Unit 4006v1)
This unit teaches about different management and leadership influencing skills and their impact on the achievement of individual and task objectives. This unit is ideal for candidates who have an interest in developing their management skills to a higher level and promoting themselves as a leader.
Assessment and verification
This is a vocational course where the issues and topics covered should be applied by the learner to meet identified personal developments needs and/or relevant continuous improvement needs of their employer. Candidates will submit a portfolio of coursework at the end of each unit for assessment.
Course prerequisites
- Participant learners must be age 19+.
- GCSE or equivalent in English Language.
| Available Level 4 start dates |
|---|
| We are currently planning a cohort for later in 2026, more details will be added here once they are confirmed. Please note: Tutor-led weekly sessions for unit 1 will take place each Friday, 9.30am to 12.30pm. Unit 2 sessions for this course typically take place on a Thursday, 9.30am to 12.30pm. |
For senior managers and leaders to develop the skills to required for making strategic decisions that support of the organisational objectives, purpose and vision, ensuring long term business growth and sustainability.
Course duration and delivery
- Learners must complete the two stated units to achieve the CMI Level 7 Certificate.
- Total course duration is 16 weeks.
- Each unit is 8 weeks.
- Weekly tutor-led sessions (3 hours) will be delivered online.
- All course materials will also be available throughout on the Virtual Learning Environment.
- All learners will be registered with the CMI on outset and have access to their extensive Managers.org platform for additional learning materials.
Compulsory unit 1:
Personal and Professional Development for Strategic Leaders (Unit 7014v1)
This unit will develop your understanding of the relationship between strategic management and leadership through key leadership principles, theory and organisational strategy.
Additional unit 2:
Leading Strategic Change (Unit 7005v1)
This unit will enable you to identify and justify a strategic investigative project, determine project objectives, undertake research and analysis to produce recommendations, and evaluate the impact of the project.
Assessment and verification
This is a vocational course where the issues and topics covered should be applied by the learner to meet identified personal developments needs and/or relevant continuous improvement needs of their employer. Candidates will submit a portfolio of coursework at the end of each unit for assessment.
Course prerequisites
- Participant learners must be age 19+.
- GCSE or equivalent in English Language.
- Existing leadership and management experience.
| Available Level 7 start dates: |
|---|
| We are currently planning a cohort for later in 2026, more details will be added here once they are confirmed. Please note: Tutor-led weekly sessions for unit 1 will take place each Wednesday, 9.30am to 12.30pm. Unit 2 sessions for this course typically take place on a Tuesday, 9.30am to 12.30pm. |
Funding Eligibility
Fully-funded places are available on on both the Level 4 and Level 7 courses for eligible small and medium sized (SME) businesses based in the Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens, Halton, Wirral) and West Lancashire. 2 fully-funded places are available for each eligible businesses, on either the Level 4 or Level 7 course. Eligibility for funding is as follows:
- the participating business must be an SME as defined by the Companies Act (2006), with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover (income) of less than £42 million.
- the business must have a registered or operating postcode within the Liverpool City Region or West Lancashire.
- the business must have sufficient Subsidy Control allowance available based on the value of the intervention.
Employees of charities and public sector organisations are unfortunately not eligible for funded places.
Funding is provided by the UK Government via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Fees
For organisations or individuals not eligible for funded places, the following tuition fees per participant learner apply:
| Certificate in Management and Leadership (Level 4) | Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership (Level 7) |
| Managerial Styles and Behaviours (Unit 4001v1): £600.00 Management and Leadership Influencing Skills (Unit 4006v1): £600.00 Total course cost: £1200.00 | Personal and Professional Development for Strategic Leaders (Unit 7014v1): £1000.00 Leading Strategic Change (Unit 7005v1): £1000.00 Total course cost: £2000.00 |
Contact us
For further information about how we can help you, please get and touch with us and a member of our team will be happy to assist you.
