A broad range of businessmen and women are feeling the benefit of a new management training course introduced to Shetland by the islands' local enterprise company.

HIE Shetland hired Inverness-based ITP Solutions Ltd to run an 18-month pilot project which has proved to be an enormous success.

ITP head of training and development Sandy Miller has helped 15 senior and middle managers from the private sector to attain level four and five Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) in management.

Level 4 SVQs are equivalent to a management diploma or bachelor's degree. Level 5 is equivalent to a master's degree.

The course, which is delivered locally and flexibly, has proved so successful that another 15 managers have already signed up to join the next one.

Mr Miller said that the course only took a few hours of study each week - a great benefit since finding time was the hardest part for many of those taking part. And the first participants had already found that their new skills were paying off with time saved through better management and improved efficiency.

"We've found the course improves the performance of the organisation, whether that be in customer services, staff management or management performance," Mr Miller said.

"As managers become more confident, that diffuses through the rest of the organisation, so staff become more confident too. Research shows that this reduces staff turnover and improves customer satisfaction."

Mr Miller worked with each manager individually, travelling to Shetland every month for face-to-face sessions. He identified training needs, and developed an individual course for each manager to follow.

Central Garage in Brae had four people on the pilot course. Managing director John Robertson set up the business almost 30 years ago, since when it has grown from a small garage to a busy car dealership.

Mr Robertson said the course had helped him put more confidence into his employees, which had made his own life easier.

"Now we're doing a lot better. The staff are more confident about taking on projects, and as a team we're communicating better and sharing problems," he said.

David Leask, a site manager with Scottish SeaFarms, was the youngest person on the course.

The 29-year-old said: "I'd already done a course in fish farm management, but this was a lot more in depth. It made me more aware of the need to develop the staff I'm working with, which is something I'd never looked at before."

Mr Leask designed a new staff appraisal form to help identify the training needs of each individual and how to meet them, which the company has since adopted.

The most remote participant was Fair Isle businesswoman Kathy Coull, who has developed her croft into a multifaceted business providing accommodation, as well teaching and small scale textile manufacture. She has expanded onto the mainland with a self catering flat in Lerwick and has plans for a craft gallery.

"The course has definitely been worth it," she said. "It's helped me look at my business and make changes so that it runs more efficiently and gives me more time to pursue other business interests. It's allowing me to do what I do better and with more confidence.

"What makes the course so good is that you can choose the bits that are relevant to your business. And you can make your submissions by email and the net. That's very convenient in a place like Fair Isle."

Rachel Hunter, of HIE Shetland, said: "In 2004 we carried out a survey which found poor levels of management and leadership in many Shetland businesses, and there was a gap in training provision to fill that gap. The fact that so many people want to join the next course shows what a success it has been."

ITP Solutions still have places available on the new course. This is not being supported by HIE Shetland, but the enterprise company may be able to provide assistance to help individuals with course costs.

The award ceremony for those who had completed the pilot course was held at Shetland Museum and Archives on Friday, August 24.