A free online training course aimed at leaders of new or small SMEs has been launched.

The Help to Grow: Management Essentials course contains practical tips and resources for leaders of small businesses. It is the latest addition to the UK Government’s Help to Grow toolkit supporting UK small businesses to scale up and grow.

Based on the 12-week Help to Grow: Management Course, Essentials is aimed at 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.

Small Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake 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.

“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.”

Martin McTague, National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, said:

“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.

“This will better fit with the busy lives of small business owners who struggled with the initial commitment for 12-week intensive learning.

“It means many more can now access the benefits of Help to Grow and see the benefits of committing to the longer course as follow-up.

“Improving the skills of small business owners is in FSB’s DNA, so we’re pleased to see this new option for those wanting to grow their businesses, and the economy.”

Enterprise Nation Founder and CEO, Emma Jones CBE, said:

“As a delivery partner on the Help to Grow: Management course, we see the positive impact this initiative has on small business confidence and productivity every day. One thing that stands out is the value that working one-to-one with a matched mentor can have, bringing the lessons learned on the course alive in a very practical setting.

“Helping business leaders understand the clear benefits that taking time out of the business to sharpen business knowledge can have – and practical support on how to apply that to their own business cannot be overstated.”