New Year, New Skills: Top Courses to Level Up Your Career in 2026
As the new year begins, many of us make resolutions to get active, to give up chocolate or to spend less money. But what about learning new skills? January is the perfect time to set growth-oriented resolutions – and what better way to act on them than by choosing a training course that advances your skills, career prospects, or leadership potential.
We have created this article to guide you through available short and longer-term courses to boost your professional development. At Hawk Training, we believe in turning ambition into action, and 2026 could be the year you make real progress toward your goals!
Courses to Kick Off Your 2026
Short Courses for Professional Development
A short course is great for those who want to get back into learning. Whether it’s a 2-hour course or a 2-day course, a short burst of learning can help you to refresh your skills, build confidence, and reignite your motivation without the long-term commitment of a full programme. It’s an ideal way to ease yourself back into professional development while still gaining practical, job-ready knowledge you can apply straight away.
This CMI-accredited course is designed to deepen your understanding of key coaching and mentoring principles, models and techniques. Over approximately four months of live online sessions, you’ll develop the skills to lead effective coaching conversations, build trust, support development and inspire high performance in others — all while fostering a culture of continuous learning in your workplace. This course is ideal for supervisors, team leaders and managers who want to enhance their ability to support and develop people with confidence. View more information about our Coaching & Mentoring course.
This two-day workshop designed to help emerging leaders and new managers step into leadership with confidence and impact. You’ll explore your authentic leadership style, sharpen communication and coaching skills, and learn how to build and motivate high-performing teams. With practical, hands-on sessions and the option to add a third day for a nationally recognised CMI Award or Certificate in First Line Management and Leadership. Find out more about our Aspiring Leaders course.
Apprenticeship Programmes
If you’re thinking bigger than a short-term skills refresh – perhaps a change in role or industry – an apprenticeship could be the right path for you. It offers a structured, immersive way to gain recognised qualifications while developing hands-on experience in a real workplace.
The Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship is a 17-month programme that blends hands-on workplace experience with guided learning to build your administrative and business skills. You’ll develop core abilities in business operations, project support, stakeholder communication and organisational efficiency, with regular mentoring from a qualified tutor and a mix of online learning, workshops and practical tasks. On completion you’ll achieve a recognised Level 3 apprenticeship standard – and, if required, Level 2 Functional Skills in English and Maths – giving you a strong foundation for progressing into more senior business support or management roles. Find out more about our Business Administrator Apprenticeship.
This comprehensive 20-month programme designed for ambitious managers looking to advance their leadership and operational expertise. You’ll develop skills in strategic planning, resource and project management, team leadership, change management and stakeholder engagement – all through a blend of practical workplace learning, live workshops, online modules and one-to-one coaching. Alongside gaining a recognised Level 5 apprenticeship standard, learners can also earn CMI leadership credentials, build confidence in real-world management situations, and prepare themselves for higher-level roles where they drive performance and organisational success. Find out more about our Operations Manager Apprenticeship.
Whether you’re starting out, progressing into leadership, or looking to retrain entirely, apprenticeships provide long-term development, personalised support, and a clear route into sustainable career growth.
Final Thoughts
If 2026 is the year you want to grow professionally – whether stepping into leadership, shifting career direction, or simply upgrading your skills – then now is a perfect moment to act. Let your New Year’s resolution become more than a wish; turn it into a plan.
With Hawk Training’s variety of flexible, accredited courses, supported by real-world mentoring and accessible online delivery, you can start small – or aim high from day one.
