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Become a leader your organisation can depend on.
Stepping into senior leadership, you'll be expected to have influence across your organisation, shape strategy, make complex decisions, lead change and there is often little formal training. At a time when the further education and skills sector faces increasing complexity, tighter accountability and growing workforce challenges, investing in leadership capability is no longer optional—it's essential.
ETF Transition to Senior Leadership programme empowers experienced middle leaders to further develop knowledge, confidence and strategic skills needed to take the next step in their leadership career within the further education (FE) and skills sector.
Structured space to reflect on how you think, decide and act
Shift your mind-set from an operational middle leadership role into a strategic leadership role including how to operate effectively, influencing skills, shaping culture and approaches to leading in a complex world.
Enhance your core individual leadership skills and impact through a deeper understanding of yourself as a leader. Be better prepared to drive meaningful change within your organisation.
Feel confident in making decisions, develop judgement, strategic thinking, and resilience needed to respond effectively to sector-wide challenges, policy shifts and organisational pressures.
Gain a network of like-minded peers beyond the programme. Feel less isolated with ongoing support, collaboration and knowledge sharing across the sector.
Strengthen readiness for senior leadership
Tailored for emerging senior leaders
Designed specifically for experienced middle leaders ready to take the next step. Develop your strategic thinking, organisational awareness and leadership confidence needed to transition successfully into senior roles.
Sector-specific, evidence-based learning
Grounded in realistic leadership scenarios drawn from the FE and skills context, the programme connects leadership theory with real-world challenges, ensuring learning can be immediately applied to organisational priorities.
Blended delivery for maximum impact
We combine expert-led online sessions with immersive residential modules, allowing you to balance operational pressures with the intensive, collaborative learning that happens when peers come together in person.
Mindset shift from operational to strategic leadership
Have the time to focus on developing the thinking, confidence and judgement required to operate at a whole-organisation and system-wide level, contributing to long-term organisational success.
Expert guidance and peer challenge
Facilitated by experienced Principals, CEOs and sector leaders, this programme providing real-world insight and guidance in a safe, reflective environment while building reputable connections.
Practical tools for real-world application
Leave with actionable strategies, frameworks and approaches you can apply immediately to drive impact on your organisation and prepare for the next stage of your leadership journey.
Investment for long-term impact
leadership impact
Build leadership into clear decisions, strong direction, and better learner outcomes.
confident teams
Create empowered leaders ready and able to drive culture, collaboration and change with confidence.
time for learning
The chance to step back, deepen leadership capability, renew clarity and ability to navigate complexity.
Programme structure
This programme is a four-month blended development journey.
Designed around real-world leadership challenges, the programme gives aspiring senior leaders the tools to navigate complexity, build strategic influence and develop new ways of thinking and working.
Three two-hour online modules
Please note, the September cohort will have two condensed online modules rather than three online modules.
Module 1
This session provides the foundation for the programme, helping delegates set direction, reflect on their leadership approach, and begin building connections with peers.
- What is leadership - Explore the meaning of leadership and what successful leadership looks like in today’s FE and skills context.
- Self as leader - Reflect on own strengths, leadership styles, and how to adapt these to meet the demands of senior leadership.
- Review the ETF Leadership Standards and core leadership competences to assess current capabilities and identify development priorities.
Module 2
This session focuses on the human and cultural aspects of senior leadership.
- Explore how personal and organisational values inform decision-making and guide leadership practice.
- Develop strategies for communicating difficult messages effectively and with confidence.
- Reflect on authentic leadership, understanding how to lead in a way that aligns with their values and inspires trust.
Module 3
This session equips delegates with the knowledge and tools to transition from operational management to strategic leadership, and to lead change effectively within the FE and skills sector.
- Develop skills for shaping long-term vision and organisational direction, aligning teams and resources to strategic priorities.
- Examine approaches to leading change in a complex environment, considering both internal and external factors.
Two night residential
During residential, delegates will:
- Engage in three immersive leadership scenarios, each building in complexity to move from current approaches to more effective ways of responding to multi-layered challenges.
- Apply strategic thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills to navigate complex organisational and sector-level issues, developing practical approaches they can take back to their organisations.
Two sessions of individual 1:1 coaching sessions
- Translate learning into practical actions that can be applied immediately within their own leadership
context. - Strengthen confidence, refine strategies, and maintain momentum as they transition into senior leadership roles.
Your investment includes
- Four-month development journey
- Three expert led online modules
- Two-night residential - including accommodation and meals
- Two individual coaching sessions
- Connect with and learn from former CEO’s ad Principals
- Long term peer network
- Practical leadership toolkit
Why ETF?
As the professional body for the further education (FE) and skills sector, ETF brings a unique combination of sector expertise, credibility and insight that sets our programmes apart.
Our leadership development is shaped by a deep understanding of the challenges facing FE providers today—from workforce development and succession planning to organisational change and learner outcomes. Trusted by organisations across the sector, participants benefit from evidence-informed practice, experienced facilitators with extensive sector knowledge, and access to a powerful network of peers from across the FE and skills community.
With ETF, you're investing in more than professional development—you're investing in the future strength, resilience and leadership capability of your organisation.
Who is the programme for?
This programme is designed for aspiring senior leaders within the FE and skills sector – experienced middle leaders.
An experience middle leader who is either preparing to step into strategic roles, or are exploring the next steps in their leadership career and want to lead with confidence and impact.
Participants are typically at the stage where they are looking to or will be about to move from leading teams and functions to shaping direction, contributing to whole-organisation decision-making, and operating with greater strategic accountability.
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