Business Training Programme
Horsham District Council's Business Training Programme is an exciting series of business training workshops, designed to provide skills development and enhanced opportunities for local businesses to share and learn from the latest best practice.
The programme covers a wide range of topics using a blend of online and in-person formats. Course content is delivered by locally based business experts in their fields.
Current training opportunities
Here is a list of training opportunities which are available to book now.
Please note:
- For each workshop, there is a maximum of 1 place per business. Please contact us if you need more places.
- These courses are being provided by Horsham District Council for businesses in the Horsham District. Some courses have a nominal cost to the tickets with the remainder being paid by the Council on behalf of businesses.
Business Management
- How to Create a Strategy for Business Growth 121 Support
- Business and Tax Advice 121 Support
- GDPR for Small Businesses Course
- Your Privacy Statement Workshop
- Carbon Literacy for Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SMEs)
- SALSA Go Programme: Safe and Local Supplier Approval for Food and Drink Producers
- How to Make the Most of Your Market Stall Tops Tips Video Series
- Sales and Negotiation Skills Quiz
Health and Wellbeing
- Emergency First Aid At Work 1-Day Course
- How to Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Workshop
Business Marketing
- Putting Yourself on Camera Workshop
- Content Planning for Busy Business Owners Masterclass
- Leveraging LinkedIn For Business Masterclass
- AI Tools: Saving Time Without Losing Personality Masterclass
How to Create a Strategy for Business Growth 121 Support
Join Mike Clare from Intrinsia for 121 support on how to create a strategy for your business growth. You will be taken through the process of developing and refining strategies, to enable you to identify and achieve the growth you want and adapt to changes in the business environment when they arise. Mike will also take you through how to best prepare for successful implementation of your plans.
Email us with an outline of the support you need, to apply for 121 support with Mike and build your strategy.
Apply for 121 support from Mike Clare
Business and Tax Advice 121 Support
- Date and time: To be arranged upon booking
- Location: Coolham
Join Carolyn Burchell from Composure Accounting for a 121 session on business and tax advice, tailored to your needs. Complete the online enquiry form to apply for a session with Carolyn.
Putting Yourself on Camera Workshop
- Date and time: Wednesday 11 February 2026, 10am-2pm
- Location: Freedom Works Horsham, The Courtyard, 30 Worthing Road RH12 1SL
- Public transport: The nearest bus stop is Horsham bus station (1-minute walk) and nearest train station is Horsham train station (18-minute walk)
Join Geoff from Silvertip Films for a 1/2 day workshop which looks at how to build your on-camera presenting confidence. You'll look at planning a 1 minute piece-to-camera about yourself, reading from an autocue, planning and scripting your own content and do a practical demo video with you talking on camera!
Content Planning for Busy Business Owners Masterclass
- Date and time: Thursday 12 February 2026, 6pm-7:45pm
- Location: Bill's Horsham Restaurant, Market Square, Horsham, RH12 1EU
- Public transport: The nearest bus stop is Horsham bus station (5-minute walk) and nearest train station is Horsham train station (12-minute walk)
Join Michelle Betts from ByJove Media for a masterclass on Content Planning for Busy Business Owners.
If social media always ends up at the bottom of your to-do list, this one’s for you! In this session, we'll look at how to take the stress out of content creation with simple, practical planning techniques that actually work when you’re short on time. You’ll leave with a clear plan, fresh ideas, and a few time-saving tricks up your sleeve.
Leveraging LinkedIn For Business Masterclass
- Date and time: Wednesday 18 February 2026, 9:30am-12.30pm
- Location: WDR Ltd, Park Lodge, 60 London Rd, Horsham RH12 1AY
- Public transport: The nearest bus stop is Springfield Road or Blunts Way (2-minute walk) and nearest train station is Horsham train station (12-minute walk)
Join Michelle Betts from ByJove Media for a masterclass on leveraging LinkedIn for business.
Optimise your LinkedIn profile, grow your connections and learn what to post on the platform, as well as how to leverage the functions LinkedIn has e.g. events and newsletters. It's the platform to be using in 2026 as engagement on the platform continues to increase.
AI Tools: Saving Time Without Losing Personality Masterclass
- Date and time: Tuesday 24 February 2026, 6pm-7:45pm
- Location: Bill's Horsham Restaurant, Market Square, Horsham, RH12 1EU
- Public transport: The nearest bus stop is Horsham bus station (5-minute walk) and nearest train station is Horsham train station (12-minute walk)
Join Michelle Betts from ByJove Media for a masterclass on AI Tools: Saving Time Without Losing Personality.
AI tools can save you serious time, if you know how to use them without sounding like a robot or the same as everyone else! This session shows you how to use AI in a way that supports your business voice. We’ll cover smart ways to use AI tools for content, ideas, and admin.
Emergency First Aid at Work 1-Day Course
Join Jenny Legg from Training Legs First Aid for a 1-day FAA Level 3 Award course to providing your business with training on a variety of emergency first aid situations in the workplace.
Funds raised will go directly to the charity 'Bra Off Defib On'.
There are two courses to book in Pulborough, and Horsham.
Emergency First Aid at Work, Pulborough
- Date and time: Wednesday 25 February 2026, 9:30am-4:30pm
- Location: Pulborough Village Hall, Swan View, Pulborough RH20 2BF
- Public transport: The nearest bus stop is Oddfellows Arms (3-minute walk) and nearest train station is Pulborough train station (18-minute walk)
Emergency First Aid at Work, Horsham
- Date and time: Wednesday 18 March 2026, 9:30am-4:30pm
- Location: WDR Ltd, Park Lodge, 60 London Rd, Horsham RH12 1AY
- Public transport: The nearest bus stop is Springfield Road or Blunts Way (2-minute walk) and nearest train station is Horsham train station (12-minute walk)
GDPR for Small Businesses Course
- Date and time: Thursday 26 February 2026, 10am-4pm
- Location: The Bridge Leisure Centre, Wickhurst Lane, Broadbridge Heath, RH12 3YS
- Public transport: The nearest bus stop is Tesco Broadbridge Heath (3-minute walk)
Join Mandy Huntley - Data Protection for this introductory course exploring the fundamental elements of GDPR enabling businesses to make a plan for GDPR compliance and the maintenance required to stay compliant as their business grows and evolves. Topics include:
- An introduction to GDPR
- Lawful basis for processing data
- The rights of individuals
- How to evidence good governance
- What to do if something goes wrong (e.g., a cyber attack)
- Other data protection legislation
How to Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Workshop
- Date and time: Wednesday 11 March 2026, 7pm-8pm
- Location: Horsham Park Barn, North Street, Horsham RH12 1RJ
- Public transport: The nearest bus stop and train station is Horsham train station (5-minute walk)
Join Jenny Legg from Training Legs First Aid for a workshop on how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
You will have seen an AED many times. There will be at least one in your workplace, and they’re popping up all over the place in shopping centres, airports, train stations, pubs and restaurants. By the end of this workshop you’ll know how to use a defibrillator, a life-saving piece of equipment.
Your Privacy Statement Workshop
- Date and time: Thursday 12 March 2026, 10am-4pm
- Location: Meeting Room, The Bridge Leisure Centre, Wickhurst Lane, Broadbridge Heath, RH12 3YS
- Public transport: The nearest bus stop is Tesco Broadbridge Heath (3-minute walk)
Whether you call this a privacy statement, notice or policy, it’s a fundamental document in your GDPR compliance. It should accurately reflect how you process data and it should be readily available.
Join Mandy Huntley - Data Protection for this session building on content covered in the GDPR for Small Businesses workshop. Learn the theory behind the various sections of a privacy notice and access help to compile a privacy notice for your business.
Carbon Literacy for Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SMEs)
- Date and time: Monday 16 March 2026, 8:45am-5pm
- Location: Horsham District Council, Albery House Springfield Road, Horsham, RH12 2GB
- Public transport: The nearest bus stop is Horsham bus station (5-minute walk) and nearest train station is Horsham train station (13-minute walk)
Are you a small or medium-sized enterprise, who employs less than 250 staff in Horsham District, and interested in building the resilience of your organisation? Join Horsham District Council Sustainability Officer and Certified Carbon Literacy Facilitator, Victoria Wyllie de Echeverria, for a thought provoking, one-day Carbon Literacy training workshop.
This accredited course is designed to help local businesses understand:
- The causes and impacts of climate change
- The role that SMEs and local authorities have in influencing action on climate change
- The wider benefits that can come from the transition to a low carbon economy. These include improved health, cleaner air, better access to green spaces and greater resilience to extreme weather.
Developed by The Carbon Literacy Project and delivered and part-funded by Horsham District Council, certificates will be provided to course participants upon successful completion of the coursework.
SALSA Go Programme: Safe and Local Supplier Approval for Food and Drink Producers
Are you a Sussex food or drink producer? Grow your business through certification and access a free 12-month support programme, delivered by Safe and Local Supplier Approval (SALSA).
Ten selected SMEs will receive mentoring, training, and resources to achieve SALSA food safety certification, an approval scheme that connects national and regional buyers with local and regional food and drink suppliers, to boost market access and credibility.
Benefits of the programme include 2 mentoring visits, newsletters and SALSA membership.
How to Make the Most of Your Market Stall Top Tips Video Series
- Location: Online pre-recorded video series.
Join Brendan from the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF) to learn useful tips, as a market trader, on how you can make the most of your market stall. The five-part video series covers what to bring, social media for market traders, maximising your stall layout, pricing and signage and taking cashless payments.
Sales and Negotiation Skills Quiz
How good is your business at making sales?
Take a five-minute online quiz to test how effective your business is at sales and negotiation.
This aims to inform businesses and the Council alike of the need to improve skills in this area and identify future training requirements.
Past workshops
The following workshops have already taken place as part of the 2023-25 Business Training Programme:
Business management training
- Ready, Set, Grow! - the team from Digital Islands ran 7 expert-led workshops, helping businesses in their first two years of trading including 1-2-1 progress review sessions. They developed an action plan including tax and accounting, HR and recruitment, PR marketing and social media for businesses.
- Emergency First Aid at Work courses - Jenny Legg of Training Legs First Aid ran a series of 1-day FAA Level 3 Award courses to provide training for businesses on a variety of emergency first aid situations in the workplace.
- First Aid for Mental Health course - Jenny Legg from Training Legs First Aid ran a 1-day course on supporting mental health in the workplace.
- Budget setting and cash flow forecasting for small businesses - Carolyn Burchell from Composure Accounting ran two practical and relevant sessions aimed at limited companies and sole traders to help them gain the knowledge and confidence needed to create their own budgets and forecasts.
- Debunking the complications of Apprenticeship Talent - Amy Blick from exhilHRate HR Consulting hosted a masterclass on how to successfully unlock apprenticeship talent.
- People power strategy workshop - Amy Blick from exhilHRate HR Consulting ran an interactive and focussed session on attracting, onboarding and keeping talent.
- The Blindspot Business Growth Accelerator Programme - Kate from Blindspot for Business ran a series of interactive workshops, based on the successful "Blindspot Boardroom" concept, providing a unique opportunity for business owners to identify and address their most pressing challenges through guided peer-to-peer problem-solving.
Business marketing training
- Strategic Social Media: Being Found & Return on Investment Masterclass: Michelle Betts from ByJove Media ran a masterclass on Strategic Social Media: Being Found & Return on Investment.
- Advanced social media for business masterclass - Michelle from ByJove Media ran an Advanced Social Media Masterclass, designed specifically for local businesses. The workshop dived into strategy, content planning, and insider tips to help businesses stand out and achieve real results.
- Don’t Panic! Changes to Social Media - Michelle Betts from ByJove Media hosted a free ‘Don’t panic! Changes to social media’ workshop for local businesses, exploring recent changes to social media platforms and how businesses can work with these to maximise reach and engagement.
- Recruiting via social media - Michelle Betts from ByJove Media and Amy Blick from exhilHRate HR Consulting ran a masterclass exploring the benefits of recruiting via social media and which platforms would work best for businesses' recruitment strategies.
- TikTok for business - Michelle Betts from ByJove Media ran a masterclass exploring social media platform TikTok and how businesses can use it.
- LinkedIn for business masterclass - Michelle Betts from ByJove Media ran a masterclass exploring social media platform LinkedIn and how businesses can use it.
- Instagram for business masterclass - Michelle Betts from ByJove Media ran a masterclass exploring social media platform Instagram and how businesses can use it.
- Making your brand picture perfect workshop - Sophie Ward Photography ran a fun and informative photography workshop, covering business branding and organizing imagery, followed by a 30-minute hands-on photography session to bring attendees' ideas to life.
- Introduction to videography for small businesses workshop - Silvertip Films ran a workshop on how to make video work for businesses with tips, tricks, practical work and more.
- Introduction to Video Editing workshop - Silvertip Films ran a workshop showing businesses how to take their self-filmed footage and edit it into slick, focussed video content to grow their online audience and business presence.
- WordPress training workshop - Britweb ran an online workshop on how to master WordPress.
- AI Unlocked: Authentic Content Creation for Small Businesses workshop - Michelle Betts from ByJove Media ran an interactive, beginner-friendly course demystifying AI and showing businesses how to save time, generate brilliant ideas, and create authentic content for their website, blogs, and social media.
- Reels Made Simple: How to Create Video Content That Works Masterclass - Michelle Betts from ByJove Media ran an evening session looking at confident, creative video content, without dancing, pointing, or spending hours editing. It covered what works, what doesn’t, and how to create Reels that feel natural and on-brand, whether filming on the fly or planning ahead.
- Instagram Reels Masterclass - Michelle Betts from ByJove Media ran a half day masterclass on Instagram reels.
- An Introduction to Podcasting Workshop - Geoff and Chris from Silvertip Films ran a 1-day workshop showing businesses how to set up a podcast, distribute the episodes, build an audience, develop content and a niche, and much more.
- Brilliantly Shot: Product Photography for Small Businesses Workshop - Sophie Ward Photography ran a hands-on workshop tailored to help participants create high-quality product images, using simple equipment and practical techniques.
Market trading training
- How to make the most of your market stall - Brendan and Tania from the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF) ran an interactive workshop on how to make the most of your market stall.
Let us know your business training needs
If you have any business training suggestions, please email Business.Support@horsham.gov.uk with the details and we will contact you if an opportunity should arise.