YMCA training courses

Our exclusive, free online training offer to nurture and strengthen high-quality leadership and management skills for YMCA leaders and practitioners.

About the Programme

In partnership with YMCA England and Wales, the new Leadership and Management Development Programme provides current and aspiring YMCA leaders with targeted training, geared towards nurturing consistent, high-quality leadership and management skills within a supportive learning environment.

Unlike other management training courses, our free to access programme is unique to YMCA. Developed in collaboration with an advisory group of practitioners, leaders, and young people drawn across all four YMCA nations, the programme centres the work and experiences of YMCA practitioners to ensure that learning and skills translate across a range of contexts and communities.

About the YMCA Induction Programme

For new YMCA practitioners and those seeking to re-immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of YMCA England and Wales, we also have a shorter Induction Programme. The Induction Programme provides groups with an opportunity to meaningfully engage with peers across the UK - reflecting on the history, ethos, strategy, and values of YMCA England and Wales in an inclusive and engaging environment.

YMCA Management and Leadership Programme - course structure

The programme takes place online and is split into three different course levels; the Aspiring Leader Practice-based Course is a level 2 course designed for practitioners beginning to lead and manage activities or small projects; the Established Leader Practice-based Course is a level 3 course for practitioners in middle leadership roles or leading internal organisational projects; and the Strategic Leader Practice-based Course is a level 4 course for senior staff, CEOs, and trustees responsible for strategic leadership and overarching impact. Places on this programme are fully funded by YMCA England and Wales.

Please see below for module details and dates. You can book your place here, please select which group you would like register for based on your preferred dates.

YMCA Induction Programme

The Induction Programme is a short online course and takes place in two parts. The first is a compulsory half-day training course around four key themes; history, values, strategy and ethos. The second is an optional Action Learning Set, a facilitated space for individuals to come together as a group to reflect, question, and discuss the themes and learning they have explored. Places on this programme are fully funded by YMCA England and Wales.

Please see below for module details and dates. You can book your place here, please select which group you would like register for based on your preferred dates.

Management and Leadership Development Programme

Aspiring Managers and Leaders Practice-based Course

Module 1 - Leading and managing projects (GROUP ONE)

Tuesday 3 September 2024, 9am-12pm 

Tuesday 17 September 2024, 1pm-4pm 

Action Learning Set: Tuesday 24 September 2024, 9am-11am
 

Module 1 - Leading and managing projects (GROUP TWO)

Tuesday 14 January 2025, 9am-12pm 

Tuesday 28 January 2024, 1pm-4pm 

Action Learning Set: Tuesday 4th February 2024, 9am-11am
 

Module 2: Leading and managing yourself and others (GROUP ONE)

Tuesday 1 October 2024, 9am-12pm 

Tuesday 15 October 2024, 1pm-4pm 

Action Learning Set: Tuesday 22 October 2024, 9am-11am 
 

Module 2: Leading and managing yourself and others (GROUP TWO)

Tuesday 11 February 2025, 9am-12pm 

Tuesday 25 February 2025, 1pm-4pm 

Action Learning Set: Tuesday 4 March 2025, 9am-11am 
 

Module 3: Leading and managing project evaluation (GROUP ONE)

Tuesday 29 October 2024, 9am-12pm 

Tuesday 12 November 2024, 1pm-4pm  

Action Learning Set: Tuesday 19 November 2024, 9am-11am 

 

Module 3: Leading and managing project evaluation (GROUP TWO)

Tuesday 11 March 2025, 9am-12pm 

Tuesday 25 March 2025, 1pm-4pm  

Action Learning Set: Tuesday 1 April 2025, 9am-11am 

Established Managers and Leaders Practice-based Course

Module 1 - Leading and managing delivery teams (GROUP ONE)

Wednesday 11 September 2024, 9am-12pm 

Wednesday 25 September 2024, 1pm-4pm 

Action Learning Set: 2 October 2024, 9am-11am 
 

Module 1 - Leading and managing delivery teams (GROUP TWO)

Tuesday 7 January 2025, 9am-12pm 

Wednesday 22 January 2025, 1pm-4pm 

Action Learning Set: Wednesday 29 January 2025, 9am-11am 
 

Module 2 - Leading and managing change (GROUP ONE)

Tuesday 8 October 2024, 9am-12pm 

Wednesday 23 October 2024, 1pm-4pm 

Action Learning Set: Wednesday 30 February 2024, 9am-11am 

 

Module 2 - Leading and managing change (GROUP TWO)

Wednesday 5 February 2025, 9am-12pm 

Wednesday 19 February 2025, 1pm-4pm 

Action Learning Set: Wednesday 26 February 2025, 9am-11am 
 

Module 3 - Learning and managing impact (GROUP ONE)

Wednesday 6 November 2024, 9am-12pm 

Wednesday 20 November 2024, 1pm-4pm 

Action Learning Set: Wednesday 27 November 2024, 9am-11am 
 

Module 3 - Learning and managing impact (GROUP TWO)

Wednesday 12 March 2025, 9am-12pm 

Wednesday 26 March 2025, 1pm-4pm 

Action Learning Set: Wednesday 2 April 2025, 9am-11am 

Strategic Manager and Leader Practice-based course

Module 1 - Leading and managing organisational strategy (GROUP ONE)

Wednesday 18 Sept 2024, 9am-12pm 

Thursday 3 October 2024, 1pm-4pm 

Action Learning Set: Thursday 10 October 2024, 9am-11am
 

Module 1 - Leading and managing organisational strategy (GROUP TWO)

Thursday 9 January 2025, 9am-12pm 

Thursday 23 January 2025, 1pm-4pm 

Action Learning Set: Thursday 30 January 2025, 9am-11am
 

Module 2 - Leading and managing organisational development (GROUP ONE)

Thursday 17 October 2024, 9am-12pm 

Thursday 31 October 2024, 1pm-4pm 

Action Learning Set: Thursday 7 November 2024, 9am-11am 
 

Module 2 - Leading and managing organisational development (GROUP TWO)

Thursday 6 February 2025, 9am-12pm 

Thursday 20 February 2025, 1pm-4pm 

Action Learning Set: Thursday 27 February 2025, 9am-11am 
 

Module 3 - Leading and managing succession planning (GROUP ONE)

Wednesday 13 November 2024, 9am-12pm 

Thursday 28 November 2024, 1pm-4pm 

Action Learning Set: Thursday 5 December 2024, 9am-11am 
 

Module 3 - Leading and managing succession planning (GROUP TWO)

Thursday 6 March 2025, 9am-12pm 

Thursday 20 March 2025, 1pm-4pm 

Action Learning Set: Thursday 27 March 2025, 9am-11am 

YMCA Induction Programme

Induction course dates

Group one: 9.30am - 1.00pm, Thursday 5 September 2024 

Group two: 1.30pm – 5.00pm, Thursday 12 September 2024 

Group three: 9.15am – 12.45pm, Thursday 31 October 2024 

Group four: 1.30pm – 5.00pm, Thursday 7 November 2024 

Action Learning Set dates

ALS group one and two: 

  1. YMCA History: 9.30 – 11.30, Friday 20 September 2024 

  1. YMCA Ethos & Culture: 9:30 – 11.30, Friday 27 September 2024 

  1. YMCA Mission Vision and Strategy: 9.30 – 11.30, Friday 4 October 2024 

  1. YMCA Values: 9.30 – 11.30, Friday 11 October 2024 

ALS group three and four: 

  1. YMCA History: 9.30 -11.30, Friday 15 November 2024 

  1. YMCA Ethos & Culture: 9.30 – 11.30, Friday 22 November 2024 

  1. YMCA Mission Vision and Strategy: 9.30 – 11.30, Friday 29 November 2024 

  1. YMCA Values: 9.30 – 11.30, Friday 13 December 2024