UK Government launches 'Public Leaders' development courses
23 December 2009

The UK Government has opened applications for 'Public Leaders' training and development courses that will run from February 2010 onwards. Designed to encourage under-represented groups - like women, ethnic minorities and the disabled - to consider joining a Public Body, the courses will offer 300 applicants the chance to develop their skills in the Public Leaders course with a 60 additional places on the Public Leaders (Advanced) course for those actively seeking a Public Appointment on a national Public Sector body.

The About Time Public Leaders courses, sponsored by the Government Equalities Office, are designed to support the government’s aim to increase the diversity of public body board members and the pool of talented individuals ready to take up public appointments. Boards that have a diverse mix of people and talent make the best decisions.

"Public bodies make important decisions that shape the quality of our lives and public services, and include organisations like the governing bodies of local hospitals, the Arts Council, advisory bodies or the Competition Commission. However some groups, particularly women, people from ethnic minorities and disabled people are under-represented on our public boards. Under new targets, so as to be more representative of society, by 2011 the Government wants to see women form 50% of new public appointees, disabled people 14%, and people from ethnic minorities 11%."

About Time Public Leaders

About Time Public Leaders is designed for people with some experience of governance, gained through local boards, charity trusteeships, employment or professional bodies, or those who have demonstrable experience gained in other ways, and have a real commitment to hold more senior appointments, at a regional or national level.

The About Time Public Leaders course provides participants with transitional learning to help people with some experience of governance make the leap to holding regional, national or higher profile public appointments. We particularly welcome applications from those groups who are currently under-represented in public appointments. Applicants for this programme should be committed to applying for a public appointment vacancy in the next 12-18 months.

When: February to November 2010
Where: Events will take place both in London, and in other UK cities, and virtually
Course content: Participants will benefit from increased awareness and understanding of the scope of regional and national public appointment roles, application processes and opportunities through a programme of events, networking, mentoring and job shadowing. Elements of the programme will be tailored by participants through self-directed learning.

About Time Public Leaders (Advanced)

About Time Public Leaders (Advanced) is a course for people who are actively seeking a national public appointment. Applicants may have already applied or been shortlisted for a public appointment, or be in senior positions in their organisation. The course presents an opportunity for potential candidates to develop their non-executive careers, gain a deeper understanding of how public boards work and the difference that public bodies can make.

About Time Public Leaders (Advanced) is a flexible, five-month course that addresses the needs of individuals, particularly those from under-represented groups, who have the aspiration and ability to get involved on public boards at a national level. Applicants for this programme should be committed to applying for a public appointment vacancy in the next 6-12 months.

When: February to June 2010
Where: Events will take place both in London, and in other UK cities, and virtually.
Course content: About Time Public Leaders Advanced participants will receive training and advice on presentation skills, public board applications processes, networking opportunities, Masterclasses, mentoring and shadowing. This self-directed curriculum is designed to provide participants with essential knowledge to develop successful applications for public board appointments, and to be effective in post.

To find out more and download application forms - visit:
http://abouttime.commonpurpose.org.uk/public-leaders-courses/.

USEFUL LINKS

The Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA)
https://www.publicappointmentscommissioner.org/

Government Equalities Office
http://www.equalities.gov.uk/

Public Appointments Online
http://www.direct.gov.uk/publicappointments

The Appointments Commission (Health Service Recruitment)
http://www.appointments.org.uk

DOWNLOADS

HCUK Public Appointments Strategy 2009-2012
Cabinet Office 'Public Bodies' Report 2008
Public Appointments Statistics (GEO factsheet)
GEO Action Plan

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