Your browser is unsupported and may have security vulnerabilities! Upgrade to a newer browser to experience this site in all it's glory.
Skip to main content

The professional business services department provides courses for those wishing to retrain or develop their career in the professions of accounting, HR, law, management and IT.

Our staff are highly qualified and include practising lawyers, chartered accountants, management and HR professionals.

Our YouTube playlist

Hear from our students, tutors & alumni on our Professional Business Services playlist.

Navigate through the films by clicking on the top right icon!

Photo gallery

We offer a number of training options, either stand-alone or as a suite under the following options:

  • Either at Kendal College
  • Or through workplace delivery (subject to numbers)

Please contact us for further information & costs:

e traininghub@kendal.ac.uk
t 01539 814616

Essential HR Skills

Three days or individual sessions are offered
  • Recruitment and Selection
  • Onboarding/induction
  • Introduction to employment law & contracts
  • Learning & development of key skills for developing content
  • Performance management

Essential Management Skills

Ten days or individual sessions are offered

  • Time management
  • Management of self
  • Self-awareness
  • Problem-solving
  • Dealing with difficult people/situations
  • Change management
  • Finance for non-finance managers
  • Managing expectations
  • Building relationships
  • Effective delegation
  • Effective Human Resources skills
  • Introduction to Coaching and Mentoring

Equality & Diversity

One day

Coaching & Mentoring for Success

Two days

  • Introduction level – 2-day key skills
  • ILM Level 5 Management coaching (15 days over six months option or Apprenticeship 14-18 months)

NLP Introduction & Unconscious Bias

  • ‘Get what you want without asking’

Finance Skills

Essential for businesses

  • Bookkeeping
  • Payroll
  • Account Software
  • Charity Accounting
  • Farm accounting

Essential Business Skills

  • Minute taking
  • Planning and organising
  • Project management
  • IT suite – Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc
  • Time management
  • Effective delegation

Essential Customer Service Skills

  • Assertiveness at work
  • Giving and receiving feedback
  • Influencing and persuading
  • Managing upwards
  • Presentation skills
  • Personal wellbeing and resilience
  • Managing expectations
  • Effective communication

Essential Digital Media Skills

  • Social media

Accounting bursary

The AAT has been changing lives for over 40 years, with their practical accounting qualifications that are in demand from employers around the world. Now they’re offering a unique opportunity to change your life too, with all your costs covered.

Find out more on the AAT website.

Meet your tutors

Lydia Read-Potter

I have worked in accountancy for almost 20 years, gaining experience in both management and financial accounting roles. I own and run BookSmart Accounting, an accountancy practice based in North Lancashire. I speak at industry events like Accountex in London and create and deliver training courses for business owners. Studying the AAT qualification is the perfect start to a successful career in accountancy. The skills and knowledge you will gain are also fantastic for entrepreneurs and business development. There is no better way to understand how and why businesses make a profit and meet their financial and tax obligations.

Meet your tutors

Jane Barker

I was employed in the industry in both the public and private sector, including senior Human Resources roles and specialist leadership and management roles such as the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager for the University of Cumbria, Organisational Development and responsible for payroll within a medium-sized public sector. I have over 25 years of experience in human resources, leadership, and management, and I have a professional curiosity in coaching, mentoring, and diversity. Moving into teaching more than ten decades ago, I have taught Levels 3, 5 (degree) and 7 (post-graduate) at the University of Cumbria, the University of Central Lancashire, Cambridge University and Oxford University.

Meet your tutors

Helen Wheat

I am an IT Lecturer and Assessor with 26 years of experience delivering IT training in Further Education and the workplace. I provide a range of IT courses and have technical and instructional expertise in Microsoft and Apple technologies. One of my specialities is Microsoft Excel, and I deliver programs to beginners and advanced users, demonstrating best practice standards and techniques. Coming from a strong administration background has given me the knowledge and skills to provide IT qualifications to meet the needs of employers and those preparing themselves for employment.

View our courses

Accounting AAT
Part-time 3 6th Jan 2025 33/34 Weeks

This course will provide you with the specialist knowledge and skills required for progressing either to employment or promotion in an accounting or finance role. This qualification offers technical training in accounting and is ideal for anyone wishing to pursue a career in accountancy and finance.

Microsoft Excel 2016 (Advanced)
Part-time N/A 31st Jan 2025 1 Day

This course is designed to introduce those who already have a sound knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Excel at an intermediate level to the more advanced tools and techniques that are available. In addition to this you will get a chance to look at some of the latest features and tools Microsoft have added to the Excel application.

Microsoft Excel 2016 (Advanced)
Part-time N/A 28th Mar 2025 1 Day

This course is designed to introduce those who already have a sound knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Excel at an intermediate level to the more advanced tools and techniques that are available. In addition to this you will get a chance to look at some of the latest features and tools Microsoft have added to the Excel application.

Microsoft Excel 2016 (Advanced)
Part-time N/A 23rd May 2025 1 Day

This course is designed to introduce those who already have a sound knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Excel at an intermediate level to the more advanced tools and techniques that are available. In addition to this you will get a chance to look at some of the latest features and tools Microsoft have added to the Excel application.

Accounting AAT
Part-time 3 7th Jan 2025 33/34 Weeks

This course will provide you with the specialist knowledge and skills required for progressing either to employment or promotion in an accounting or finance role. This qualification offers technical training in accounting and is ideal for anyone wishing to pursue a career in accountancy and finance.

Accounting AAT
Part-time 2 28th Jan 2025 32/33 Weeks

This internationally recognised qualification offers a grounding in the core accounting knowledge and finance skills. It is ideal for those taking their first steps into the industry, those wishing to retrain, and people wanting the theory to underpin some practical experience.

Accounting AAT
Part-time 3 16th Dec 2024 33/34 Weeks

This course will provide you with the specialist knowledge and skills required for progressing either to employment or promotion in an accounting or finance role. This qualification offers technical training in accounting and is ideal for anyone wishing to pursue a career in accountancy and finance.

Accounting AAT
Part-time 3 6th Jan 2025 33/34 Weeks

This course will provide you with the specialist knowledge and skills required for progressing either to employment or promotion in an accounting or finance role. This qualification offers technical training in accounting and is ideal for anyone wishing to pursue a career in accountancy and finance.