Evaluating Learining and Development

Too often the only evaluation of a training course is through the distribution of a ‘Happy Sheet’ at the end of a course. These are not always related directly to specific and measurable course objectives and delegates, in a hurry to get home, give them little thought and give trainers ‘rosy-tinted’ appraisals due to lack of anonymity.

Many people learn new skills, or develop existing skills, on training courses, but this should be just the start of the learning. Few people leave a training course as an accomplished practitioner; they need the opportunity to apply, practice and improve the newly acquired skills in their workplace. Ideally, with good support and on-the-job coaching, further learning and development will take place; consequently, training and learning evaluation should not be confined to a ‘Happy Sheet’ at the close of a training course but should measure changes in behaviour and performance in the weeks that follow.

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The government set up the Leadership and Management Advisory Service (LMAS) to help eligible employers identify and fund development opportunities for their senior leaders. Some changes have been made both to the eligibility criteria and the scope of activities that are covered by the grant element of the programme and these are as follows:

Funding

Funding is available up to the value of £1000 excluding VAT and is dependent on meeting all eligibility criteria. It will also need to be fully matched by the beneficiary organisation on a pound for pound basis, excluding the VAT element. So if an organisation is eligible and the approved learning and development costs are £1500 excluding VAT, the organisation may be eligible for a grant of £750. No unmatched grant funding is available. Previous beneficiaries of this programme may be eligible for further support but must meet the eligibility criteria in the application form.

Eligibility

• Organisations in scope for the service are either private sector businesses or social enterprises which employ 2- 250 full-time employees
• Beneficiaries must be the owner/MD/CEO of a business or social enterprise if it employs 50 people or less
• If the business or social enterprise employs more than 50 people, a beneficiary who reports directly to the owner/MD/CEO can be considered
• Eligible organisations must also be able to demonstrate growth or growth potential

 Eligible Funded Learning and Development Areas Include:

• Leadership and management style and skills
• Communication and presentation skills, assertiveness, confidence building and conflict resolution
• Business planning
• People processes including recruitment and selection, team building, roles and responsibilities, performance and people management
• Leading and managing employee performance: for example, coaching skills, motivation, monitoring and reviewing performance, staff development, giving feedback

Applications

LMAS service providers (below) cannot accept direct referrals from training suppliers for this funding. Application should be made by the beneficiary organisation. However, where eligible training has been discussed and agreed between Training and Development Solutions (TDS) and its client, the client organisation can request that TDS deliver the training when making the application for funding.

The LMAS operates on a regional basis and full contact details of the service providers and the regions they cover are as follows:

East of England, East Midlands and West Midlands

Website: www.embltd.co.uk
Tel: 0845 894 8969
Email: lmas@embltd.co.uk

London

Website: http://www.exemplas.com
Tel: 01707 398202
Email: stuartw@exemplas.com

Yorkshire and the Humber

Website: http://www.exemplas.com
Tel: 07739 647388
Email: simona@exemplas.com

North East

Website: http://www.nbsl.org.uk
Tel: 07971 317565 (Joy Gair)
Email: referrals@nbsl.org.uk   

North West

Website: http://www.business-enterprise.net/leadership
Tel: 0845 112 0527
Email: leadership@business-enterprise.net

South East and South West

Website: http://www.skillssoutheast.co.uk/leadership-and-management.html
Tel: 0845 026 4298
Email: info@skillssoutheast.co.uk

Simply book any course to be delivered in-house (and while the first delegate is charged at our normal price) we will offer you up to seven additional delegate places at only £100 + VAT each for a one day course and £200 + VAT each for a two day course. These additional delegate places are normally £295 + VAT and £595 + VAT each.

Bookings are strictly on a first come first served basis and availability is limited so contact us now and book your training days.

Contact us now for more details.