Foundations for First Time Technical Leaders
Leadership and Management
◷ One Day | £295 | 🌐︎ Online
Course Overview:
A masterclass giving early career technical leaders the essential foundations to step into their first leadership role. Explore what it means to lead, build confidence, and manage the transition with clarity and resilience – through practical tools, interactive exercises and peer learning, delivered over two separate sessions.
Who is it for?
Technicians considering, or moving into, their first technical leadership role at a UK university or research institute.
Cost:
£295
Course dates:
Wednesday 28 October, 12:30pm to 3:30pm
Thursday 26 November, 9:30am to 12:30pm
Time commitment:
6.5 hours, delivered over two half days
Delivery format:
Online (MS Teams)
Why choose this course?
Course highlights:
• Build the confidence and credibility to step into your first leadership role.
• Learn practical delegation and time management skills to balance technical and leadership work.
• Benefit from peer learning and reflection across two sessions, with an activity in between to embed what you’ve learned.
Proven results:
🏅 Trusted by more than 2,000 technicians from 150 UK organisations.
🏅 90%+ of participants rated our paid-for courses “Very good” for overall quality.
🏅 Paid programmes are strongly associated with deeper learning, greater confidence, and lasting behaviour change.
Course content:
Session One: Wednesday 28 October, 12.30pm – 3.30pm | Online
The transition from peer to leader
• Explore common challenges and mindset shifts.
• Identify behaviours that build credibility.
Discovering your leadership identity
• Introduction to strengths-based and situational leadership.
• Recognise the benefits of different leadership styles in technical roles.
Communication essentials for leaders.
• Key principles of effective communication.
• The 3C’s framework.
Building confidence and credibility
• Strategies for overcoming imposter feelings.
• The credibility equation.
A short activity in-between sessions will be offered to embed learning.
Session Two: Thursday 26 November, 9.30am – 12.30pm | Online
Delegation and empowerment
• Common barriers to delegation for new leaders.
• Key tools for effective delegation, including mindset shifts.
Managing time, energy and wellbeing
• The reality of wearing multiple hats.
• Practical strategies for maintaining balance.
Building personal resilience and reflective habits
• What resilience really means in leadership.
• Introduction to reflective tools.
Learning outcomes:
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
• Recognise the key shifts from peer to leader, and start shaping your own leadership identity.
• Build confidence and credibility by understanding your strengths and areas for growth.
• Communicate with clarity and purpose across different audiences.
• Delegate effectively, overcoming barriers to letting go and building trust in your team.
• Apply practical time management strategies to balance technical and leadership work.
• Develop reflective habits to support your growth as a first-time leader.
Course Leader
Ruth Francis
ITSS Consulting Lead and Learning and Development Manager
“A great opportunity to connect with other technicians in similar positions and learn different ways to tackle common issues.”
Leadership course participant July 2025
FAQs
How do I book a training course?
Our training courses can be booked and paid for online through University of Nottingham Online Store.
You will be directed to the online stores and asked to make an account using your email address (you can use any email), you will also be asked to create a password.
Course bookings will close two working days before half day and one day courses and two weeks before cohort courses.
Your place on the course is confirmed only once full payment has been received.
What payment options are available?
The online store accepts credit, debit card or paypal.
Why is the course payment via University of Nottingham Online Store and not The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy?
The UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy is hosted by the University of Nottingham.
To streamline the payment process, we are using University of Nottingham’s free online stores service to manage payments. It’s a secure payment method which is tried and tested. Receipts for organisations are available, please include your organisation name and VAT Reg number at the checkout.
The payment will appear as University of Nottingham on the payment card statement.
Have more questions? Visit our FAQ page.
Can’t find the exact course or opportunity you’re looking for? Contact ITSS Consulting for tailored learning and development programmes.
