Developing your skills as a London business owner

The business world moves quickly and there are always new challenges and opportunities. When you're running a small business in one of the most fast-paced cities in the world, it pays to be agile and forward-thinking.

The benefits of bringing new skills into your business go well beyond a simple knowledge boost. They can have a positive impact on every aspect of your and your employees' lives and contribute to your long-term success, both professionally and personally.

This blog provides a list of training opportunities currently available to help you develop your skills and improve your career prospects.

Benefits of upskilling yourself or your staff

• Stay ahead: by keeping on top of your learning, you get to stay ahead of your competitors and find new solutions for your business challenges.

• Productivity: things change fast in the business world. Learning about the latest productivity tools or improving internal processes at your company can give your business a boost.

• Employee retention: it's been shown that if you allow your staff to attend courses and learn on the job, they tend to remain loyal to your business.

• Adaptability: in London's ever-changing, bustling culture, knowing how to adapt your business to your customers' needs and current trends can make a huge difference to your sales.

• Happy customers: the more you upskill and innovate, the easier it is for clients to refer you to their networks.

Business skills to develop

Digital

With good digital and IT skills, you can further your understanding of data – how to gather it, how to analyse it, and the important things it tells you about your small business.

• Capel Manor College:

  • Website design (level 1): this course is designed to help you learn how to create a simple website using professional tools and techniques.

• Capital City College Group (CCCG):

  • Digital skills academy: free training opportunities and support packages to help Londoners gain digital skills and work across all sectors.

• City Lit Institute:

  • Digital and IT skills: build your understanding of digital skills for the workplace over eight to 16 weeks. Develop in areas such as presentation, collaboration and project management. Free to most learners.

• Fareport Training:

  • Digital marketing skills bootcamp: join other small business owners online for a practical marketing course over 14 weeks.

• Idea Store Learning:

  • Digital skills in the workplace: the skills you need to help you promote or sell your product of business online.

• Lewisham College:  

  • Cisco CCNA networking: launch or progress your career in computer networking. 

• London Borough of Hounslow: 

  • Develop a website on Wix: develop a new website with no coding skills required.

• London South East Colleges (LSEC):

  • Computer Basics: enabling students to develop basic IT skills, helping to develop new and existing skills to be used for a range of tasks.

  • Digital Marketing – Certificate: this course is the right foundation if you have little or no previous digital marketing experience.

  • Information Communication Technician Apprenticeship: this apprenticeship leads to ICT monitoring, administering, troubleshooting and support systems.

• Mary Ward Centre:

  • Beginners guide to AI platforms: explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can support your work, create efficiencies and bring innovation to your business.

  • Entry 3 Essential Digital Skills qualification: develop your digital skills for work and everyday life, with the aim of obtaining the Essential Digital Skills qualification.

  • Generative AI for curious minds: an introduction designed for SMEs with little/no prior experience in generative artificial intelligence (AI).

• Morley College:

  • Digital Skills: identify different parts of a PC, set up an internet email account, perform internet searches, create and save documents using MS Word, using devices and handling information, being responsible and staying safe online, including social media, creating and editing documents.

• Newham College: 

  • Digital skills for ESOL: learn how to improve your IT skills, in combination with an ESOL (English for Speaker of Other Languages) course.

  • Website design and development: learn to design, plan and create a website for a client brief  

  • Principles of cyber security: this course provides sector awareness of cyber security 

• South Thames Colleges Group:

  • Digital skills and business administration course in Tooting: this free course boosts your confidence in computer use and admin skills, leading to a Level 1 digital skills qualification.

  • Level 1 course in digital technology and business at Merton College: this year-long course introduces business and IT, offering two qualifications.

• Successful Mums:  

  • Digital promotion for business: this course supports SMEs with their online presence, helps raise brand awareness and find new customers. 

  • Digital skills and IT course: upskill your employees with current digital tools for the workplace.  

• Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES):

  • Digital and computing skills: courses related to digital and computing skills intended to help ease skills shortages in Greater London.

• WM College:

  • Microsoft Excel intermediate: master advanced features like charts, logical functions and data analysis to enhance productivity.

  • Using AI – ChatGPT and internet safety – intermediate: boost your business with AI tools like ChatGPT while learning to stay safe online.

Marketing

Being strong at marketing means you can more effectively promote your products or services, reach a wider audience through social media and digital advertising, build a business website and much more.

• Capital City College Group (CCCG):

  • Creative Skills Academy: give the industry the skilled people they need to help their businesses grow.

• London South East Colleges: 

  • Digital Marketing:  this course is designed for those who desire to form a foundation due to little or no previous digital marketing experience. 

• Morley College:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Photography: get an introduction to camera skills and learn how to take impactful photographs for your business marketing. This course has a payable fee.

• Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES):

  • Graphic design skills: courses related to graphic design skills intended to help ease skills shortages in Greater London.

Leadership, management and business

Effective leadership and management skills help with guiding and motivating employees, making strategic decisions, solving problems and making sure the business runs efficiently.

• Capel Manor College:

  • Diploma in business (level 2): this course provides you with the necessary key skills and knowledge required in accountancy and business.

  • Certificate in create a business startup (level 2): this course will give you an understanding of a business startup's initial processes and requirements.

• City & Guilds Training: 

  • Bootcamp – project management: if you’re looking to upskill your existing workforce and funded by up to 90%.  

• Lewisham College: 

  •  Business and administration: you’ll be equipped with the skills and knowledge you need to help businesses thrive.  

• London South Bank University:

  • UKSPF Business Innovation Growth (BIG) programme: this programme is fully funded for south London businesses to develop new products, services and processes.

• London South East Colleges: 

  • Principles of team leading: develop and improve your practical skills in order to become a successful team leader and improve the morale within a workplace. 

  • Lean organisation management techniques: get an understanding of the lean management system and how to implement business improvement techniques and effective teamwork. 

  • Principles of business administration: develop an understanding of basic administration concepts and practices, review essential knowledge for daily and more complex administration tasks.

• Mary Ward Centre:

  • Introduction to selling your product online: discover the steps to successfully sell your products online.

• Newham College:  

  • Business Management: on this course, you can develop your knowledge of business and management.  

• Paragon Skills:  

  • Team leader apprenticeship: ideal for team leaders who need to support, manage and develop their people.  

• South Thames Colleges Group:

  • Level 3 Business and Administration Apprenticeship: gain valuable and transferable workplace skills and experience while earning a salary, on this two-year paid course.

  • Startup skills: boost your chances for success with our free short course, designed to enhance your business startup skills.

• Successful Mums: 

  •  Level 2 certificate in Business: from finance to social medi marketing, this course covers the essentials of setting up a business.

• Visionnaires:

  • Start your own business: this course will give you the practical tools to start and grow a successful business.

• Wandsworth Lifelong Learning:

  • Business Administration BTEC Level 1 Award: this accredited course will teach you the skills that employers are looking for.

  • Introduction to Project Management: learn the fundamentals of project management and gain understanding of its principles and methodologies.

  • Level 2 Certificate in Team Leading principles: check out this supervisor course if you want to sharpen your team leading skills.
     

Language and communication

Learn the crucial skills you need to communicate effectively with customers, suppliers and employees, build strong working relationships and convey your vision and values in a compelling way.

• City Lit Institute:

  • English language skills: a free course to help improve your English reading and writing skills, with support from qualified, experienced tutors.

  • ESOL: Improve your English language skills: develop the most in-demand common skills for work, such as problem-solving, decision-making and collaborating. Free to most learners.

• Morley College:

  • English: a beginner course designed to help you improve your grammar, reading and writing and develop English-language skills commonly used in business.

• South Thames Colleges Group:

  • 19+ ESOL Adults English Language Skills: improve your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills and boost your employability. There is a fee for this course.

• WM College:

  • Functional skills and GCSEs in English and maths: courses to help you improve your English and Maths for your day-to-day life or to gain a qualification.

Health

• Generation UK:  

  • Bootcamp – health skills: get the skills and knowledge you need to thrive in healthcare.  

• Lewisham College: 

  • Awareness of mental health problems: an overview of mental health, its impact on society and the importance of mental health awareness in all areas of life. 

  • Understanding autism: understanding and support surrounding autism are some of the essential skills needed when working in mental health.  

  • Behaviour that challenges: gain a comprehensive understanding of challenging behaviour and the necessary skills to manage it.  

  • Principles of working with individuals with learning disabilities: learn about legislation and the healthcare system in this course for anyone working with individuals with learning disabilities. 

  • Specific learning difficulties: for those working in healthcare, social care and education to have knowledge of different specific learning difficulties.  

  • Safeguarding and prevention: this qualification is to support anyone who is responsible for the safeguarding of people and to help prevent radicalisation.  

• London South East Colleges (LSEC):

  • Understanding Nutrition and Health – Certificate: this qualification provides a comprehensive understanding of the key topics surrounding nutrition and health.

Maths and numeracy

Having strong maths and numeracy skills can help you in life and especially business. You're better able to make sound financial decisions, manage stock levels and forecast growth.

• City Lit Institute:

  • Maths: work with qualified and experienced maths tutors to develop your skills in problem-solving, analysing and decision-making.

• London South East Colleges: 

  • Maths – functional skills: this course is perfect for improving your maths skills, either for work or further study. 

• Morley College:

  • Maths: a free beginner course designed to give you a comprehensive introduction to maths and help you apply those skills in business.

• Newham College: 

  • Maths – functional skills: functional skills maths courses from entry level to level 2.   

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Hospitality

• Lewisham College: 

  • Lewisham College Hospitality Hub: Lewisham College Hospitality Hub proves work-based training programmes. 

  • Customer service for hospitality: designed for learners who are looking to enter or progress within hospitality. 

• London and South East Colleges:  

  • Cleaning knowledge and skills this course is perfect for anyone with an interest in the processes of cleaning.   

• Umbrella Training and Employment Solutions: 

  • Senior culinary chef: senior culinary chefs research, responsibly source and develop products.  

  • Hospitality supervisor: for those who are capable of independently supervising hospitality services.  

  • Food and beverage team member: for those starting in hospitality and passionate about delivering excellence.  

  • Commis chef: for chefs wanting to develop their skills and progress their culinary careers.  

  • Chef de partie: perfect for those who wish to develop their culinary and management skills.  

  • Hospitality manager: perfect for those who provide vital management to teams.  

  • Hospitality team member: develop adaptable hospitality skills to support teams and deliver great service.  

• Wandsworth Lifelong Learning:

  • Hospitality supervision & leadership principles Level 3 Award: this course is designed for ambitious professionals who are already working in hospitality or about to start.

Social care

• Lewisham College: 

  • Customer service for health and social care: this qualification enhances customer service in healthcare.

  • Caring for children and young people: understand what strategies are used to protect children from abusive behaviour.

• London South East Colleges (LSEC):

  • Preparing to work in adult social care: preparing you for adult social care, to ensure the needs of vulnerable people are met.

Sustainability

A good knowledge of sustainability can help you save money in the long run. Learn how to put in place sustainable practices to make your business more energy efficient, reduce waste and lower your impact on the environment.

• Capital City College Group (CCCG):

  • Bootcamp: wind power: training for fire safety, working at heights, rescue training, rope access and first aid.  

  • Green Skills Academy: free training opportunities and support packages to help Londoners to get a job in green roles.

• City & Guilds Training: 

  • Bootcamp: air source heat pump installer package: this bootcamp is designed for heating engineers to be able to install air source heat pump technologies. 

  • Bootcamp: green electrical upskill package: this bootcamp allows electricians to upskill in the design, installation and maintenance of green technologies

• New City College:

  • Air Source Heat Pump Systems (ASHP): a course specifically aimed at giving fossil fuel plumbing and heating engineers the training and skills they need to install heat pumps.

  • Electrical Energy Storage Systems: training for practising electricians, electrical technicians and engineers with experience in electrical installations.

  • Solar Photovoltaic (PV): this training course enables delegates to meet the requirements of the National Occupational Standards Environmental Technologies Units.

• South Thames Colleges Group:

  • Net Zero Training Hub: paid courses designed to develop workforces with the skills to help businesses meet important emissions targets.

• Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES):

  • Green skills: WAES offers a range of courses related to green skills, intended to help ease skills shortages in this key sector for Greater London.

Accounting and finance

• WM College:

  • Excel for Accounting and bookkeeping: advance your Excel skills for accounting and bookkeeping with this intermediate course.  

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