Jonathan engages with Leading Lancashire to improve management skills

Jonathan Holding has recently improved his leadership and management skills thanks to fully-funded support from the Leading Lancashire project.

Upon recommendation from a colleague, Jonathan Holding attended one of the Leading Lancashire project’s free workshops. Jonathan intends to one day move into a leadership position, so took the chance to improve his skills by working with the Leading Lancashire team. The University of Central Lancashire’s Leading Lancashire project is free to eligible participants and is part-funded by the European Social Fund.

The knowledge gained from working with Leading Lancashire is proving valuable, with Jonathan explaining: ‘’The Coaching Conversation course was presented in such a way that it made you enthusiastic to apply the techniques that were talked about.’’ Jonathan is currently employed by the Yordas Group, based in Lancaster. He has some management responsibilities at Yordas, including mentoring junior staff and new starters, which has allowed him to implement his learnings in a real-life setting.

Jonathan commented further saying: ‘’The course I took was up there with the best online learning sessions I have ever taken.’’ He also reserved special praise for the team stating: ‘’The tutors were great at bringing a group of learners together and leaving us feeling empowered to take our learning further. I was positively buzzing afterwards.’’

"The tutors were great at bringing a group of learners together and leaving us feeling empowered to take our learning further. I was positively buzzing afterwards."

Jonathan Holding, Yordas Group

There was also some advice from Jonathan for anyone else who may wish to attend: ‘’On a Leading Lancashire course, everyone who's attending is there because they have the engagement and enthusiasm to be potential leaders, so everything is geared towards active, engaged learning. Don't expect to be a passenger because no one else will be!’’

Michelle Lyons, Development Coach at Leading Lancashire, added: ‘’Jonathan was fantastic to work with. He really engaged with the facilitators and other attendees. Being open to sharing experiences makes the day more beneficial and enjoyable for everyone. It’s great that Jonathan has then been able to apply his learning in a professional setting. We’re keen to talk to anyone else who is interested in benefiting from our support.

‘’We have a range of events planned between January and September 2022. It’s really easy to get involved, simply email leading@uclan.ac.uk to register.’’

Whilst the Leading Lancashire project has closed, the University actively supports regional businesses. Find out more through our Enterprise and Engagement Unit who will review your enquiry and signpost you to the most appropriate area of continuing support.

Jonathan Holding
Jonathan Holding