The Black Country Skills Factory has launched a programme of 12 bite-sized and accredited leadership and management training modules for manufacturing SMEs.
The new courses are aimed at helping employers up-skill operational leaders (i.e. supervisors and managers) of manufacturing supply chain companies who may not have had formal management training previously.
Course modules
One-day bite-sized modules will be delivered on-site, at leading Black Country manufacturing companies, enabling delegates to benchmark and learn from the host company.
Half of the courses will focus on Âhard (practical management) skills where there is currently no provision in the Black Country. The other courses will focus on Âsoft (leadership) skills with individual coaching running alongside these modules.
The programme of 12 courses will run between April  December 2015, with the first course taking place on Wednesday 15 April.
Course programme
 Basic Employment Law  15 April 2015
 Managing Health & Safety as an Operational Manager/Leader  14 May 2015
 Control of Quality in the Workplace  3 June 2015
 Communication Skills  16 June 2015
 Lean  14 July 2015
 Problem Solving & Decision Making  9 Sep 2015
 Training the Workforce  23 Sep 2015
 Time Management  9 Oct 2015
 Material Planning & Production Control  21 Oct 2015
 Developing & Coaching Staff  4 Nov 2015
 Measurement of Production Efficiency  18 Nov 2015
 Appraisal & Performance Management  16 Dec 2015
Courses cost £160 per person, per course; with discounts available for multiple bookings.
Collaborative working
Course content has been developed by the Skills Factory and a consortium of employers and employer representative groups including: Huf UK Ltd, ZF Lemforder Ltd, UTC Aerospace Systems, Thomas Dudley Ltd, Lift and Engineering Services Ltd, the EEF Ltd, the Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM) and the Cast Metals Federation (CMF).
Course information and booking
Course information: click on course titles for further course details.
Course costs: £160 per person, per course; with discounts available for multiple bookings.
Course booking: Click on course titles and book directly through the Skills Factory website.
UKCES funding
The project is funded by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) through their UK Futures Programme  ÂManagement and Leadership in Supply Chains and Networked OrganisationsÂ. The programme will address the lack of operational management and leadership skills in Black Country manufacturing SMEs and help to improve their overall productivity.
For an informal discussion please call Colin Parker on 07944 268709 or e-mail Colin_Parker@blackcountryconsortium.co.uk
www.blackcountryskillsfactory.co.uk/courses
