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2 minute read
Central government teams are facing increasing complexity: heightened public scrutiny, rapid policy change, stretched resources and the ongoing need to deliver impact at pace. It’s no surprise, then, that learning and development remains a critical investment.
This year, we’ve had numerous enquiries from central government departments and arm’s-length bodies, including the Environment Agency, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Government Legal Department (GLD) and the Cabinet Office. A clear picture is emerging of the skills and capabilities organisations are prioritising as they look ahead to 2026.
Here’s a snapshot of the learning programmes gaining the most traction.
1. Developing Resilient & Emotionally Intelligent Leaders
Leadership in central government has rarely been more demanding. Organisations are increasingly focused on equipping both current and aspiring leaders with the tools they need to thrive under pressure.
Popular programmes in this area help leaders to:
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Manage change and uncertainty with confidence
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Support team wellbeing while maintaining high performance
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Strengthen emotional intelligence to improve decision-making and leadership impact
The emphasis is not just on personal resilience, but on creating healthier, more effective teams that can sustain performance over the long term.
2. Speaking & Presenting with Impact
Clear, confident communication is essential in government, whether briefing ministers, engaging senior leaders, working with stakeholders or communicating with the public.
Highly requested programmes focus on helping participants to:
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Communicate clearly and confidently in high-stakes environments
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Deliver compelling briefings, presentations and speeches
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Influence decisions and engage diverse audiences effectively
As one CPS participant shared:
“The course was absolutely brilliant and I will be using this both in my role and within my career going forward!”
3. Strategic Thinking, Planning & Implementation
With complex policy landscapes and delivery challenges, central government teams are investing heavily in strategic capability.
These programmes support teams to:
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Step back and think systemically
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Make well-evidenced decisions in complex environments
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Translate strategy into clear, actionable plans
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Anticipate challenges and identify opportunities for lasting impact
A recent UKRI participant summed it up well:
“This is the most useful course I have been on in a long time. Helpful discussion in breakout rooms on real examples really helped to solidify the principles.”
4. Storytelling with Data
As data continues to underpin policy and operational decisions, the ability to communicate insight clearly has become a critical skill.
In-demand programmes help participants to:
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Turn data, insight and analysis into clear, persuasive narratives
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Present information visually and verbally to influence decisions
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Communicate complex data confidently to non-technical audiences
Feedback from a Government Data Analyst highlights the impact:
“The course was exceptionally well-delivered, covering a vast amount of material in a short time. It provided me with practical skills and insights that I can immediately apply to my work.”
Exploring Learning Options for 2026?
If you’re considering learning and development options for your teams this year, you’re not alone. Central government organisations are clearly prioritising leadership resilience, strategic thinking, impactful communication and data storytelling as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
If you’d like to discuss what other organisations are focusing on, or explore how these learning topics could be tailored to your context, we’d be very happy to help.