Best Learning / Professional Development Programme (over 2000 members)
British Thoracic Society – British Thoracic Society Short Course Programme
The British Thoracic Society (BTS) aims to support respiratory professionals around the UK to deliver the best-quality healthcare to people with respiratory diseases. 1 in 5 people are living with a respiratory disease in the UK, and this prevalence creates a great demand on respiratory professionals to be up-to-date with the latest research and practice.
The BTS Short Course Programme aims to provide accurate, meaningful and accessible information to respiratory professionals who are looking to grow their knowledge. The current 2024 Short Course covers topics such as thoracic radiology, lung transplantation, asthma management and respiratory physiology. The courses are accredited by the Royal College of Physicians, London, and give attendees points that they can use towards their professional development portfolios. In 2023, 1,308 people attended a BTS short course.
A new development has been to deliver the short courses programme across a hybrid online/in-person format. This was introduced in acknowledgement that accessibility was a barrier to busy healthcare professionals being able to take advantage of development opportunities.
“I just wanted to say that course was hands down one of the best courses I have ever attended.” – a satisfied short course attendee.
Institute of Directors – Chartered Director
In today’s uncertain global economy, investing in professional development is crucial for directors. In 2023, over 5,000 business leaders experienced the Institute of Director (IoD)’s world leading director development programmes, helping to improve governance standards in the UK beyond. At the core of the professional development we offer at the IoD is our gold-standard Chartered Director (CDir) qualification, and 2024 marks 25 years of this globally recognised programme’s success.
Our Chartered Directors are global ambassadors for not only the qualification but also the Institute as a whole, ensuring our commitment to lifelong learning and the advancement of standards and governance for directors is shared and understood all over the world.
This sentiment was reflected in a recent survey sent to all IoD members, with 82 percent of respondents stating they ‘feel proud to be a member of the IoD’ and 74 percent celebrating that ‘the IoD advances the quality of directors in the UK’.
Institute of Directors in South Africa – Women on Boards – Foundation Programme©
The Women on Boards – Foundation programme© follows a hands-on approach and contains specifically curated boardroom dilemmas which typically involve difficult decisions where a multiple of options are available, each with its own set of advantages, disadvantages, risks and ethical considerations. The programme consist of 3 modules spanning 3 months and is designed to provide sufficient time to interact with the learning content and self-reflection.
Each participant is expected to keep a personalised boardroom journey journal in-between each session. Participants in our programme have the invaluable opportunity to learn directly from seasoned board members who generously share their first-hand experiences in the boardroom. This programme is meticulously crafted, drawing from practical research analysis that examines the status of women in boardrooms globally, with a particular emphasis on the South African context. It provides a dynamic and secure support network for women to actively engage, learn and network.
The following are benefits the attendee will gain from attending the programme:
• Develop and deepen knowledge of Board leadership, governance and integrity in the boardroom.
• Interact with real life Boardroom experiences.
• Prepare to engage effectively in the Boardroom as a Non-Executive Director.
• Learn from women who have achieved demonstrable
Institute of Employability Professionals – Employability and Employment Support Services
The IEP Learning Academy is not just about education; it is about empowering, uplifting, and adding a personal touch to professionalising practitioners. We’re setting standards that go beyond paperwork—they are visible in the lives we touch and the careers we shape. Our goal is personal, too. We’re not just contributing to the employability sector; we’re actively shaping its future. We’re preparing a skilled, dynamic workforce for the future who are ready to face the challenges ahead.
National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers – Broker Academy
The National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) supports a network of 1,200 brokerages and 160 banks and lenders in the UK, enhancing the commercial finance sector through initiatives such as the NACFB Broker Academy. Launched in 2023, the Broker Academy aims to elevate professional skills with a robust curriculum that includes one year of NACFB membership, eight virtual classroom sessions over six months, online modules, mentoring, assessments, and an exit interview. Graduates receive a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 3 Award and a NACFB Certificate in Commercial Finance Broking (CertCFB).
The Academy’s first year saw significant success, doubling its cohort from 8 to 16 in 2024. The programme addresses the industry’s need for standardised, high-quality training, preparing new professionals for the future. It has been praised for fostering interactive learning, professional growth, and collaboration. The NACFB’s collaboration with In Professional Development (InPD) ensures a high standard of training that aligns with the Financial Conduct Authority’s objectives. Testimonials highlight the programme’s effectiveness in creating a supportive and engaging learning environment, cementing the NACFB’s role in advancing the commercial finance community.
The Garden Centre Association – Garden Retail Online Workshops (GROW)
The Garden Centre Association (GCA) developed their Garden Retail Online Workshops (GROW) online training system with two simple objectives: firstly, to help garden centre staff to improve their knowledge and gain confidence and expertise, and secondly (but equally importantly) to help them to improve the quality of the customer’s experience at their garden centre.
Using the extensive knowledge of subject matter experts from within our membership to, the courses on GROW are industry specific. As well as keeping the costs to a minimum, this also ensures that the content is accurate and more importantly, covers the topics garden centre staff require training on. Using this expert knowledge, even the most complex of subjects are brought to life with stimulating and engaging content that learners not only respond to, but most importantly, remember.
Since GROW went live in 2013, membership numbers have increased by nearly 500% and the past 12 months have highlighted the value that GROW still brings to our members with 47% of all registered users having logged on and recorded 34,519 course completions between them: 42% of these were for compliance-related courses; 29% were for customer service; 22% for horticulture and 7% were for business operations.
The International Institute of Risk and Safety Management – IIRSM Risk Essentials Training
The International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM) is a UK-based professional membership organisation with a global footprint.
Our vision is of thriving organisations where people feel safe, supported and empowered to manage risks effectively. We offer training courses on risk management and health and safety risks, helping individuals and teams develop the necessary skills.
We have successfully trained more than 210 people – both individuals and teams from companies through customised courses.
Participants on our Managing Risk and Managing Health and Safety Risks training courses have provided significant feedback on the impact of their learning.
In collaboration with L’Oréal, IIRSM has established the Hummingbird Bursary to promote inclusion in risk management. We will soon launch the Athena Bursary in partnership with Avetta, enhancing the expertise of early-career women.
IIRSM’s training is aligned with the Risk Management and Leadership Competence Framework, which defines the necessary technical, business and leadership skills for risk management.
To enhance user experience, IIRSM recently launched a new website that facilitates easy navigation and course bookings. This has contributed to an increase in new members compared to the previous year. We are looking forward to celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2025.
