H&W Chamber of Commerce: - Introduction to Professional Skills Training

  • As part of the UK Shared Prosperity Funding, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce are delivering free training courses to individuals living in Wychavon*, Worcester City and Wyre Forest. These new training courses will be booked on a first-come, first-serve basis to residents in these districts. Based on the Worcestershire LSIP findings, employers identified two large skills gaps that are both a need and a necessity in the workplace.


    Intro to professional skills


    An Introduction to Professional Skills

    2 Day Training Course


    This course covers:

    • Assertiveness and Confidence
    • Work Ethics and Professionalism
    • Interview and Presentation Skills
    • Time Management
    • Communication Skills

    *Course topics subject to change



    • 09:00 – Introductions


      09:30 – Building Confidence in the Workplace

      • Understanding Confidence – gain an understanding of what confidence is and why it’s important in the workplace.
      • Identifying Personal Strengths – learn techniques to identify and leverage their personal strengths and abilities.
      • Overcoming Self-Doubt – strategies for overcoming self-doubt and negative self-talk will be explored, empowering you to challenge self-limiting beliefs.
      • Handling Criticism and Feedback – techniques for receiving constructive criticism and feedback positively, using it to improve performance.

      11:00 – Break

      11:15 – Building Confidence in the Workplace (continued)

      • Managing Stress and Anxiety – strategies for managing stress and anxiety in the workplace, helping you to stay calm and confident under pressure.
      • Building Resilience – you will learn techniques to bounce back from setbacks and failures, strengthening your resilience and confidence in your abilities.
      • Creating a Positive Mindset – you will explore techniques for cultivating a positive mindset, fostering confidence and optimism even in challenging situations.

      12:30 – Lunch

      13:15 – Effective Communication

      • Enhanced Communication Skills – you will develop improved verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills, including clarity, consciousness and coherence in your messages.
      • Active Listening – you will learn how to actively listen to others, understanding both the content and the emotions behind the message.
      • Interpersonal Skills – Developing the ability to navigate various interpersonal dynamics effectively, including conflict resolution, negotiation and relationship building.

      14:30 – Break

      14:45 – Effective Communication (continued)

      • Critical Thinking – encouraging you to think critically about communication contexts, messages, and your own biases or assumptions.
      • Group Communication – providing opportunities for you to work collaboratively in groups, practising skills such as decision-making, problem solving and consensus building.
      • Ethical Communication – emphasising the importance of honesty, integrity and respect in all communication interactions, both online and offline.

      16:00 – Day End


      • 09:00 – Recap of Day 1

        09:30 – Company Culture

        • Understanding the Importance of Company Culture – you will gain a clear understanding of why company culture matters and how it impacts various aspects of the organisation, including employee satisfaction, productivity and overall success.
        • Identifying Elements of Company Culture – you will learn to recognise the different elements that contribute to a company’s culture, such as values, norms, communication styles and organisational culture.

        11:00 – Break

        11:15 – Company Culture (continued)

        • Assessing Current Company Culture – you will be able to assess the current state of your organisation’s culture, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
        • Aligning Culture with Organisational Goals – you will understand how company culture is aligned with your organisation’s mission, vision and strategic objectives to drive success.

        12:30 – Lunch

        13:15 – Time Management

        • Understanding Time Management Concepts – you will gain a solid understanding of key time management principles, such as prioritisation, goal setting and effective scheduling.
        • Identifying Time Wasters – you will be able to identify common time-wasting activities and behaviours in your own lives and develop strategies for minimising or eliminating them.
        • Setting SMART Goals – you will learn how to set Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Relevant/Realistic, and Time-bound (SMART) goals to help them focus their time and efforts effectively.
        • Prioritisation Techniques – you will learn various techniques for prioritising tasks and activities based on their importance and urgency, such as the Eisenhower Matrix or ABC prioritisation.

        14:30 – Break

        14:45 – Time Management (continued)

        • Effective Planning and Scheduling – you will develop skills in creating and maintaining effective schedules and planners that allow you to allocate time efficiently to different tasks and responsibilities.
        • Overcoming Procrastination – you will learn strategies for overcoming procrastination and avoiding delays in completing tasks.
        • Managing Interruptions and Distractions – you will learn how to manage interruptions and minimise distractions to maintain focus and productivity.

        16:00 – Course End


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