“QA has been working
Shaw Trust – leadership development
with Shaw Trust to
develop and deliver
bespoke Leadership
and Management
Shaw Trust is a national charity that provides training and work opportunities for people who are
Development
disadvantaged in the labour market due to disability, ill health or other social circumstances. It is the largest
programmes. The
modular, practical
UK provider of employment services for disabled people.
Leadership programme
is tailored to the
individual needs of
managers who have
The challenge In designing the programme QA ensured that activities were
gained valuable
The charity has seen considerable growth in the last few years, included to embed the learning, in addition to the core learning
techniques, new and has plans for future significant growth. With staff numbers
modules. This included specific activities facilitated by QA, such
knowledge and having doubled in size, this has led to considerable change in the as on-the-job support, and ‘action learning’ sessions where
inspiration.” organisation. To support this, a stronger structure was needed delegates challenged each other in how they were applying their
and an increase in leaders in the organisation. As a result, QA new skills. A hands-on project was also an important part of the
Juliet Adams was asked to deliver a comprehensive leadership development programme, where delegates worked in pairs on strategic ‘real-
National Training Manager programme providing Shaw Trust with two blended programmes life’ business projects, supported by QA. Access to the Books
Shaw Trust
over a 12-month period. The programmes are designed to provide 24x7 online library resource was also provided.
skills development in areas such as leadership, decision-making,
Facilitated master classes have been included, led by heads
influencing, project management, strategy, communication skills
of individual departments, to allow delegates to understand
and change management.
key support functions, including finance, marketing and IT.
QA’s leadership programme provided two streams of learning to This allowed each department to demonstrate their role and show
achieve the following objectives: the value they add to the business. It also gave delegates the
Shaw Trust
www.shaw-trust.org.uk
Create a strong leadership structure
opportunity to challenge departments on processes and use their
new leadership skills to give constructive support on alternatives.
Provide high potential individuals with the skills and techniques to lead
in the future
The groups that have completed the programme to date have
found it valuable, in particular the focus on practical skills, whilst
38
Build a cadre of change agents – a group within the Trust with the
skills and confidence to challenge existing processes
the Trust’s MD and Strategic Management Team acknowledge the
significant impact the programme has had on the organisation.
The solution
The modular approach of the programme has allowed ongoing
application within Shaw Trust, and is aligned to the charity’s
“The pace was just right – gave time to use the
‘Leadership Competencies.’ Having identified the needs of techniques we were learning.”
individuals through assessment centres held by the Trust, the
programme was planned to ensure that each attendee gained the “The time whizzed by.”
skills they needed.
The programme began with a two-day workshop including a
“The content was engrossing and inspiring.”
formal welcome from the Trust’s Managing Director to introduce
the leadership and learning messages. This was followed by five
“Although there was some factual input, the
two- and three-day modules covering:
experience was highly practical in nature – and was
Organisational Context: strategic thinking, external context, business all about applying the concepts.”
analysis
The Market: managing project delivery
Advanced Communications: structured thinking, advanced presentation
skills
Developing Leadership Skills: decision-making, personal impact and
influencing, negotiating and selling skills
Organisation and People: leading and managing change, developing
others
This was followed by a one-day workshop that would consolidate
learning and allow learners to launch their ‘learning journey’,
ensuring that their new skills would be applied in the workplace.
This included an innovative and fun look at leadership and a
celebratory dinner to underline the achievement in completing the
programme.
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