If you are a one-man-band or small operation with a limited budget it can be tough to stay on top of new developments within the seemingly ever-changing business world.
However, there are a number of courses available which could help small business owners keep up with their bigger competitors. And the best thing is that many of them are free.
Whether you want to improve your own skills and knowledge or would like to offer some support to more junior members of staff keen to work their way up the ranks, why not give one of the below courses a try?
Business and Administration NCFE Level 2
Provider: vision2learn
Duration: part-time
Where? online
How do you get started? visit http://www.reed.co.uk/courses/business-and-administration-level-2/18048#/courses/vision2learn/p131
This nationally-acknowledged versatile qualification will look good on your CV. It should also help you up-skill in your present position for a variety of administrative duties. Subjects covered include overseeing data and creating documents, offering admin services, and backing business events. You don’t need any entry requirements to take this course, except to have internet access and be over 19 years old.
Equality and Diversity NCFE Level 2
Provider: vision2learn
Duration: part-time
Where? online
How do you get started? visit http://www.vision2learn.net/channels/courses/equality-and-diversity.aspx
This one could be useful in HR departments and customer-facing positions. It will help equip you with a comprehensive knowledge of how to promote diversity and equality in the workplace. It will also demonstrate how to communicate successfully with individuals of different religious and cultural persuasions. Portfolio-based assessment means that you don’t have to sit exams.
Start-up course
Provider: East London Small Business Centre (ELSBC)
When? once a month
Where? ELSBC HQ, Universal House, 88-94 Wentworth Street, Tower Hamlets, London E1 7SA.
How do you get started? you can either complete the form by clicking on http://smallbusinesscentre.org.uk/contact/ or call 0207 377 8821.
Got a great idea, but don’t know where to start your small business? This comprehensive four-day interactive course gives great pointer on how to recruit employees and keep your books. It explores the importance of IT for businesses as well as sales, marketing and law. It gives easy-to-follow tips on how to raise finance. Attendees should leave the course confident of knowing how to create an effective business plan and how to copulate cashflow and financial planning predictions. It will also emphasise market research’s importance.
City & Guilds maths qualification (level 1, 2 or 3)
Provider: learndirect
Duration: part-time
Where? online
How do you get started? visit http://www.learndirect.com/free-maths-qualification-76cf99d3614e23eabab16fb27e944bf9#tab3
Looking to build your basic maths skills? This courses involve a variety of online and paper tasks. It tackles subjects such as fractions, space and shape, percentages, decimals and handling data.
The Importance of Interpersonal Skills
Provider: Open University
Where? online
How do you get started? http://www.open.edu/openlearn/money-management/management/leadership-and-management/the-importance-interpersonal-skills/content-section-0
Good communication is key to enhancing working relationships. After studying this unit, you’ll never look at relationships in your workplace in the same way again.
Posted by the Secret Businessman