Government launches new free course for small business owners

The government has on Wednesday launched the new Help to Grow: Management Essentials course, a short online course with practical tips and resources for small business owners.

Based on the 12-week Help to Grow: Management Course, Essentials is suited for leaders of newer or smaller SMEs, or those who are looking to explore the principles of business growth and management before taking the next step and enrolling in the full course, the department for business and trade said.

“I’ve met so many business owners who have benefited from Help to Grow: Management, and now with the launch of Help to Grow: Management Essentials even more business people will be able to access the advice and resources they need to scale up and grow,” small business minister Kevin Hollinrake said.

“2024 is the year of the SME and whether it’s through access to finance, support and advice, or removing barriers to growth: we’re helping them go further than ever before.”

Essentials is the latest addition to the extensive package of SME support announced by the government as part of the ‘Help to Grow’ campaign: a one-stop shop for SMEs. The Help to Grow site makes it quicker and easier for business owners to find the resources they need for every step of their growth journey from across government.

Help to Grow: Management Essentials is free, with content divided into three easy-to-access modules consisting of short videos and supporting resources covering the essential business concepts required to unlock growth. Business leaders can access the course through the Help to Grow website.

Commenting, Martin McTague, national chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, said the course will better fit with the busy lives of small business owners who struggled with the initial commitment for 12-week intensive learning.

“FSB has been making the case for a streamlined, digital taster session version of the Help to Grow Management course, and we’re delighted to see this now delivered. Businesses with fewer than five employees were ineligible for the full Help to Grow course, so this is particularly good news,” McTague added.