Are ILM courses worth it?

Paul Blane
Leadership and management
business manager

“To help others develop, start with yourself!” – Marshall Goldsmith, Executive Leadership Coach and Author.

Great leaders are not born leaders. There is no genetic factor that makes a leader; leaders are made rather than born through hard work, dedication, experience, and continual professional development.

When you work in a leadership or management role, it’s important to see yourself as a work in progress, always striving to learn more, improve, and develop your skills.

There are plenty of different ways to develop leadership skills, but taking a professional leadership and management training course is the quickest and most effective way to do so.

If you work in leadership or management, you’ve probably heard of the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM). In this article, we will learn more about ILM courses and discuss why they are well worth taking.

What is an ILM course?

ILM courses are industry-leading courses provided by the Institute of Leadership and Management that aim to improve leadership and management skills.

The ILM is a division of City & Guilds, a global leader in skills development. It provides qualifications and member services through a global network of over 2,000 approved centres.

ILM courses have been quality assessed and approved by the Institute of Leadership and Management, providing peace of mind that the course content is of a high quality and offers excellent value for money.

Over 70,000 people register for an ILM course every year. No matter whether you’re just starting out in a leadership role or have many years of experience working as a senior manager under your belt already, you will be able to find an ILM course out there to help you further develop your knowledge and skills.

Who are ILM courses for?

ILM courses are designed for people who wish to develop their leadership and management skills. As we’ve already learned, the breadth of ILM courses available is huge, meaning there’s something for everyone, from aspiring leaders to seasoned managers.

Typically, ILM courses are taken by people in the following roles:

  • Aspiring leaders and managers
  • Team leaders
  • Managers
  • Senior managers
  • Executives
  • Project managers

ILM courses are popular with leaders and managers working across all sectors and industries, from healthcare to construction.

Why ILM courses are worth it

While those in leadership and management roles are responsible for managing their team’s performance and professional development, it is equally important that they fully commit to their own self-improvement and ongoing professional growth.

Taking an ILM course can be immensely valuable to both the learner and the organisation they work for. Let’s find out some of the key benefits of choosing an ILM course.

  • Enhance knowledge and skills – The primary reason to take an ILM course is to enhance your knowledge and skills and for your own personal development. ILM courses often encourage introspection and encourage self-awareness, helping you to improve your performance and leadership style.
  • Improve performance — By expanding your knowledge, learning new strategies, and developing new skills, you can improve your own and your team’s performance and contribute to the overall organisational success.
  • Compliance and ethical leadership – Many ILM courses cover aspects of compliance, legal responsibilities, and ethical leadership, which are crucial for maintaining an organisation’s integrity and social responsibility.
  • Quality assurance – When you choose an ILM course, you have peace of mind that the training has been quality assessed and approved by the ILM and will provide excellent value for money.
  • International recognition – The ILM is a globally recognised organisation, so you can rest assured that no matter where in the world your career takes you, your ILM qualification will still be recognised and respected.
  • Improve employability – Competition can be fierce when applying for leadership and management roles. However, listing ILM qualifications on your CV can help enhance your professional credibility, demonstrate your commitment to professional development, and set you apart from other applicants.

The skills and knowledge gained through enrolling in an ILM course can have a lasting impact on your career and the success of the organisation you work for.

Study leadership courses with CBAT

Here at Care Business Associate Training, we are one of the UK’s leading training providers for the health and social care market and an ILM-approved training centre.

We run a wide range of leadership and management training courses suitable for those working in the health and social care sector. All of our courses can be tailored to meet your precise learning requirements or goals if required.

Our courses range from short, half-day training sessions to more comprehensive courses that are completed over several days.

If you are working in a leadership or management role but have no previous formal training, we recommend our popular City & Guilds Level 3 and 4 Awards in Leadership and Management.

We also offer short courses in:

  • Carrying out 1:1s
  • Presentation skills
  • Working with CQC
  • Coaching fundamentals
  • Building high-performance teams

Everyone who enrolls in one of our ILM courses will receive one year of free ILM student membership, which gives them access to a wide range of useful learning tools and resources.

For more information about any of the ILM courses we offer here at CBAT or to book your place on a course, call our team on 01772 816 922 or email ilm@cba-training.co.uk.