The number of applicants for the second Leadership Academy of the Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria is more than twice as large compared to last year’s first edition, according to the results at the end of the campaign, announced Tsvetanka Mincheva, head of the working group of the Leadership Academy of the Council of Business Women in Bulgaria and member of the Management Board of UniCredit Bulbank.
Over 200 applications have been submitted during the two-month period announced in February, from which the academy will accept 40 participants. After careful selection, professionally supported by the HR department of CEZ, at the end of May 2015 the shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend the first of six modules of the Leadership Academy.
This year’s youngest applicant is a 24-year old woman, who runs her own business. The average age of the applicants is 401. Most applicants have professional experience of between 6 and 11 years, followed by women with experience of between 12 and 17 years, while some applicants are women with over 30 years of experience. The majority of the applicants have graduated from the University of National and World Economy, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, and the Technical University in Sofia, immediately followed by the group of those that had studied abroad. The applicants also include several PhDs. For the first time in 2015, the roster includes an applicant living outside Bulgaria.
Those wishing to attend the Leadership Academy are representatives of various economic sectors, including banking, ICT, commerce, consultancy services, manufacturing, construction, tourism, and others.
“We appreciate the diversity of the applications. In modern training, this top class of 40 women is considered of great value as it allows for an exchange of experience not only between industries but also between people with very different work experience. This is a very valuable asset for the participants and a much needed professional challenge for the trainers”, said Tsvetanka Mincheva.
The Leadership Academy is an annual professional training program, which is organized and funded by companies from the Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria. The academy is a project under one of the goals of the Council to offer accessible programs to promote the professional development of women in small and medium businesses and their rise to managerial positions.
The Academy is completely free for its participants. Its six modules, led by professional trainers from UniCredit Bulbank, are aimed at developing leadership skills, encouraging the initiative and entrepreneurial spirit of modern women in view of expanding their business and taking on greater responsibilities. The one-day trainings will be held in May, June, September, November 2015, and in January and February 2016.
The members of the Council of Women in Business and the Board of the organization plan to join in the trainings and, getting to know the participants in the academy, to continue their mentoring and coaching program.
What’s New in the Leadership Academy 2015/2016
The second academic year of the training program will include an additional module – Design thinking. It gives a new look at the creation and development of ideas in the team. The program will be provided by SAP.
For the first time this year, modules will be hosted by various companies, which are members of the Council of Women, enabling the ladies to further explore different businesses.
The Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria is a public-benefit non-profit organization. Its members are leading managers and representatives of companies and organizations in the country. The goals of the Council include sharing best practices and programs to promote the professional development of women in small and medium businesses and their rise to managerial positions; developing and promoting professional values ​​in civil society, education, science, culture, engineering and technology; supporting young professionals and talents to reach their potential in Bulgaria, and supporting disadvantaged young people in their education.