SheSays Launches Leadership Programme Leveraging Unspent Government Funds

SheSays, the non-profit organisation championing gender equality in the creative industries, presents The Leadership Programme, in partnership with Hyper Island, to upskill senior, mid and entry-level women and non-binary people through fully-funded online courses leveraging the billions businesses have unspent from the apprenticeship levy fund.

Every industry needs well-developed leaders to thrive, yet high inflation and recession fears have shrunk company training budgets when skills shortages are at a record high. 

Between 2015 and 2019, the L&D budget per employee declined by £200, reaching an average of £1,500. Experts forecast this will lower even further by 2025, reaching 15% less than it was in 2010. In such scenarios, women and non-binary talent get overlooked the most – with four in five women feeling this way.

SheSays believes that training and upskilling play a huge role in reaching gender equality, including representation across senior leadership. To back this belief, SheSays are using Government funding streams of between £4,500 and £14,500 per person so that women and non-binary people can #TakeTheLead.

SheSays presents The Leadership Programme in partnership with Hyper Island to give access to top-quality leadership training, at no cost to those learning or their employers, simply using employer unspent apprenticeship levy funds. And unlike other training opportunities dedicated to either early-stage or executive leaders, the SheSays initiative doesn’t overlook mid-career leaders with three courses available via Hyper Island, tailored to support the rise to the top, no matter where people are in their leadership journey. Women and non-binary people can apply online by completing the application form by International Women’s Day, 8th March 2024.

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023 outlined the core skills people will need for careers now and in the future, citing creative thinking, curiosity, lifelong learning, leadership, and social influence as five of the top ten skills required. These courses provide training across all these areas. 

Amy Dick, UK president of SheSays, said, “SheSays are using unspent Government funding to upskill women and non-binary people so that we can achieve greater representation in senior positions. We know there is a wealth of talent out there who can reach their potential with the right learning and development opportunities. We won’t let the external economic forces that are restricting L&D budgets stop progress. I would say to those thinking of applying to take the lead, seize the opportunity and fulfil your potential. We are investing in you so you can invest in your skills.”

Heidi Rundt, CEO at Hyper Island, comments on the partnership, “SheSays is an amazing, progressive organisation that is using its power and influence as a force for good. We are proud to be partnering with them to offer 100s of women and non-binary people the opportunity to upskill, develop and rise in their careers.”

For further information on the courses, criteria and application process visit here.