Chance for young managers to develop in foreign fields

Young executives in Wales are being given an opportunity to develop their leadership skills by taking up challenging assignments in developing countries.

The project aims to prepare young executives for leadership by placing them in unfamiliar environments, where they will have to take important decisions in fields such as health care, education, or helping small businesses to prosper.

It is also designed to bring positive social and economic benefits to the countries involved, contributing to United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

It links with the Welsh Assembly Government’s International Sustainable Development Programme, and places will be open to both public and private sector applicants.

The scheme will be operated by Adopt a Business, a company based at Liddeston Valley in Milford Haven, which specialises in bringing corporate and developing worlds together.

The company, set up in 2003, has been awarded a £375,000 contract by the Assembly Government to deliver international learning opportunities for managers and leaders in Wales.

Ieuan Wyn Jones, Minister for the Economy and Transport, said the project would build on links already established between Wales and Africa.

“It is a mutually beneficial arrangement where people from Wales can make a real contribution to help and support communities in Africa while the experience will help the personal development of the volunteers.

“Challenging assignments will help develop management and leadership skills that can benefit the companies or organisations where the participants work.

“Leadership and management skills are a key focus for the Assembly Government to aid economic recovery as motivated, competitive and highly skilled individuals can play an important role in supporting a prosperous knowledge economy.”

Managing director of Adopt a Business Matthew Farmer said: “We are setting up an operation in Uganda for applicants from Wales. The Assembly Government has a well-established ‘Wales for Africa’ programme, which provides the framework for a range of initiatives.

“We are focusing on the Mbale region of Uganda, building on its long-standing relationship with Rhondda Cynon Taf. Individuals will undertake assignments for up to three months, using their particular skills and experience to help a variety of organisations and businesses.

“They will be going into unfamiliar, challenging environments where they cannot rely on the support structures they have in Wales. They will need to build strong relationships, helping these organisations to move forward.”

As a spin-off, the project could also affect climate change. The UN Development Programme acknowledges that regional governments can play a vital role, and has picked Wales as a pilot in a twinning programme to find ways of tackling climate change.