Pictured above L to R: Garry Walsh, Group Commercial Director, Hodson Bay Group; Miriam Furey, Front Office Executive, Hodson Bay Hotel (participant on course); Ruth Allingham , Deputy Front Office Manager, Hodson Bay Hotel (participant on course); Pat Fleming, Recruitment , LWETB; Ronan Murray, Area Training Manager, LWETB; Tom Grennan , Assistant training Manager , LWETB; Gerry Mc Inerney, CEO, Athlone Chamber; Hugh Connor, Assistant Training Manager, LWETB; Liz Glennon, Enterprise Engagement; LWETB.

LWETB announce Leading through Change programme

Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) is delighted to announce the roll-out of an exciting new programme in Leadership and Management.

The Leading through Change programme is part of the national Skills to Advance Further Education and Training (FET) initiative, which supports businesses to develop and upskill their workforce.

SOLAS and the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) have developed a new Leadership and Management training initiative, in collaboration with employers, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the Regional Skills Fora.
The highly subsidised Leadership and Management programme aims to upskill staff in areas including:
• Change Management
• Management Communication
• Managing Risk in the Workplace
• Developing a Culture to Support Innovation and Improvement
The programme is delivered online, with tutor support and is accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).

Speaking about LWETB’s decision to offer the initiative, Antonine Healy, LWETB FET Director explained:
“Skills to Advance focuses on the provision of training programmes for those who are in employment and who would like to upskill, perhaps within their existing role or a potential new role with their employer. Leadership and Management are essential skills for every organisation regardless of their size. The development of leaders and managers can contribute to the ongoing success of any business”. LWETB, she said, “is delighted to be involved with the initiative”.

Garry Walsh, Commercial Director Hodson Bay Group, who are participating in the programme stated:
‘Like many organisations impacted by Covid 19, we at Hodson Bay Group embarked on numerous projects during the lockdown, one being to maximise the opportunity for people development and training. A call from Liz Glennon LWETB in January this year was very timely. Within two weeks, a dedicated training course was agreed for Hodson Bay Group staff. As we speak, we have over 40 members of our teams across the Hodson Bay Group benefitting from a course in Leadership and Management skills.
The collaboration with LWETB has been a real positive during these times. The development of our people is an obvious benefit, but I feel that this is just the start of our collaboration with LWETB’’.

Minister Peter Burke in commenting on the programme recommends that all business ‘’consider the benefits of upskilling to meet the challenging times for business that lie ahead, but also to embrace the possibilities that exist for enterprise in a post Covid-19 landscape. Best of luck to the participants and well done to the Hodson Bay Hotel for the foresight to use the recent close of business period to such a positive end.”