Executive training for women in health management can bridge the skills gap

The 12-month training programme is a unique collaboration between the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) and Yale School of Public Health in the USA.

The Executive Leadership Programme for Women in Health (ELP) not only addresses the skills shortage, but is aimed at creating a bigger pool of trained women managers from where employers can meet their BBBEE and Employment Equity requirements. It is specifically aimed at women currently in upper management and leadership positions.

Dr Elmie Castleman, Academic Executive at the FPD and initiator of the training programme, explains that many women have been fast-tracked to senior and management positions in the health sectors, but they often did not have the opportunities to be specifically developed as managers. They are also confronted with the stereotyping of society and business' perception of the role of women.

Castleman says the need for a specific programme for women in health was considered very carefully and based on current trends. According to a survey undertaken by Grant Thornton International in 2006, almost eight out of ten businesses in South Africa have women in their senior management, compared to the global average of six out of ten businesses. Out of 32 countries surveyed, South Africa is number eight on the list of companies employing women as senior management.

`Although this is a very positive trend, it has its drawbacks. This means that South African women are appointed into executive positions earlier and have to learn quicker than individuals that worked their way through the ranks,' said Castleman.

This initiative also supports the call from Minister in the South African Presidency Dr EG Pahad in February 2007, to speed up training, mentoring and coaching of the potential female leaders in the public sector.

The ELP offers a holistic approach to health care management. The course modules cover a wide range of topics that include personal enrichment and empowerment, human capacity development, financial management, managing strategies, leadership styles, quality management, and innovation and creativity. Training in these fields will provide women with the skills and knowledge to:

- influence health policy and health system design
- improve operational matters in a clinical field in the public and private sectors;
- and advance the importance of health care and wellness in the work place into the broader business community.

Participation in the programme will provide a forum for women from different positions and industries to meet and network. There is also a strong emphasis on continuing professional development for which few opportunities exist currently. The programme will be accredited for 60 CEUs on level 3 over a period of 2 years for practitioners registered with the HPCSA.

`We are aiming to enrol 25 participants every year. By keeping the number of students per workshop below 30, we can ensure effective interaction,' Dr Castleman said.

For more information about the programme or anyone of the FPD's other courses, please contact Madelene Engelbrecht on 012 481 2034 or