National Academy of Excellence opens its doors

A host of organisations have teamed up to develop and finance The Academy of Excellence, an initiative offering free training, coaching and mentoring for people wanting to improve their business skills or set up on their own.

The objective of the academy is to help people achieve specific commercial and enterprise skills. Courses have been devised by business people and are run by education specialists.

There are 64 learning modules available within the following eight key areas: marketing, customer service, sales, business management, finance, franchising, personal development and business administration.

The majority of the learning is online, allowing people to study in their own time at their own pace, and certification is provided on the completion of each module.

Leading franchise expert and managing director of Recognition Express, Nigel Toplis, has worked closely with The British Association for Print and Communication and South Birmingham College to develop the academy. The British Franchise Association is also supporting the scheme, which has been financed by European Social Funding.

“The Academy of Excellence enables people from all walks of life to get a thorough grounding in key business areas,” says Toplis. “It allows them to plug the gaps in their own skill base and provides all the tools needed to confidently start a business or further career prospects.

“Having worked with countless people who are interested in setting up their own franchise, I am familiar with the reasons that often hold them back. The academy provides a raft of opportunities for people to overcome the barriers that may prevent them from realising their ambitions.”

For more information call 020 8349 3009 or email: [link=mailto:[email protected]][email protected][/link]