Today, we’re excited to talk about a fantastic initiative that Genus has recently been a part of: the Skills for Growth programme. This programme offers fully funded support, advice, and guidance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based in Greater Manchester. If you’re an SME with less than 250 staff and a turnover of less than £36 million, you’re eligible for this incredible opportunity!
What can the Skills for Growth programme do for you?
If you meet the criteria, you’ll have the chance to work closely with a Chamber Skills Coach who will conduct a tailored diagnostic to identify the skills and productivity needs specific to your business objectives.
They’ll dedicate time to each of your staff members to explore their skills requirements and development goals. Depending on your business position, the Skills for Growth programme can help you find both funded and paid-for training options.
What have Genus been up to?
At Genus, we’ve been fortunate to be a part of this programme and have already been through a couple of courses. One that caught our attention was the email and phone etiquette training. It was great to reaffirmed basic principles and it has helped us to ensure consistency within our team.
We’ve also been utilizing the Skills for Growth website, which offers a wide range of online courses suitable for various learning styles. It’s been an excellent resource for our team, providing access to valuable training resources that would typically come at a substantial cost. The topics covered are diverse and include IT skills (such as Microsoft Office proficiency), leadership and management techniques, health and safety basics, effective communication strategies, networking skills, fostering diversity and inclusion, and promoting employee well-being.
Speaking of employee well-being, we believe that our team performs at their best when they feel their best. That’s why at Genus, we place a strong emphasis on well-being and have fostered a friendly and supportive work environment. Recently, we organised a yoga day in the office, allowing everyone to relax and rejuvenate. And there’s more to come! We’re planning a ladies’ day out for the girls in our office, creating an opportunity for bonding and shared experiences.
Engage and support for each other.
During the Skills for Growth programme, we’ve delved into several thought-provoking topics. One that particularly resonated with us was assertiveness training, as well as addressing imposter syndrome and learning about mental health first aid. These sessions have provided us with valuable insights and equipped us with the tools to support one another effectively.
Our Director Billie said, “at Genus, we’re truly excited to see the positive difference that these learnings and experiences will make in our organization. We’re committed to fostering a culture of continuous growth, development, and well-being. Thanks to the Skills for Growth programme, we’re able to invest in our team’s skills, ensuring they have the necessary tools to thrive both personally and professionally.”
Hannah Bolsher from the Greater Manchester Chamber also followed up with: “Genus are a fantastic company to work with as they are proactive in their approach to investing in their employee learning and wellbeing. The staff have been very welcoming and everyone has been very receptive to the training support available through the Skills for Growth Programme.”
Stay tuned for more updates on our journey with the Skills for Growth programme. We can’t wait to share the progress we make and the impact it has on our team and business. Remember, investing in your people is investing in the future of your organisation.
Until next time, The Genus Team