Scheme details
Area: Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, County Durham, Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, Northumberland
Categories: Business support
Business stage: Start-up, Trading business
Contact email: jessie.kelly-baxter@necc.co.uk
Page last updated: 09 January 2026
This programme offers an invaluable opportunity to develop communication skills, build confidence and achieve continuous professional development, whilst strengthening professional networks across the region.
Who is the programme for?
The Future Leaders programme is open to individuals who are:
- New to their role or organisation
- At an early stage in their career journey, regardless of age
- Returning to work after a career break or time away from the workplace
- Transitioning into a new industry or profession and building foundational professional skills
Please note: participation is limited to a maximum of two representatives per member organisation. Places in full-day workshops are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with a maximum capacity of 18 participants per workshop.
Format
Structured around three high-profile networking events across 2026, the programme will combine professional development with peer connection.
Each event will feature a keynote speaker, a bite-sized training session on a key workplace skill, and opportunities to build lasting professional networks.
Alongside these, participants will have access to three full-day workshops delivered by Gateshead College. These smaller, interactive sessions will explore each theme in greater depth, giving attendees the chance to develop practical skills in areas such as communication, mentoring and emotional intelligence.
A graduation event later in the year will celebrate the achievements of participants completing the full programme.
The first event will take place on 13 February 2026.
Outcomes
By participating, early-career professionals will:
- Build confidence and develop a strong professional presence
- Learn authentic and effective networking techniques
- Explore emotional intelligence and its role in leadership
- Form lasting peer connections within the NECC community
- Access continued personal development through Gateshead College
- Gain the opportunity to become mentors of young people in Gateshead College’s Edge Network Programme, following mentor training and with access to ongoing CPD
- Join a collective voice to ensure the voice of early years professionals informs NECC’s priorities