Colchester’s business enterprise agency Colbea is offering subsidised leadership training to small and medium-sized enterprises in Essex.

Firms can access up to £8,000 towards improving management and leadership of their organisation after Colbea teamed up with training provider The Lighthouse Group to help them gain access to the funding, which is available through the government’s Apprenticeship Levy launched in April 2017.

The qualifications, which lead to a Diploma from Institute of Leaderships and Management, would usually cost £5,000 to £9,000 but are available for just 10% of the costs thanks to the levy.

Colbea chief executive Ashleigh Seymour-Rutherford said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to provide their staff with a professional pathway, leading to an ILM diploma, and develop the leaderships skills and experience within their business.”