Education
Part of becoming and maintaining a board position involves possessing essential skills, knowledge and capabilities. The purpose of the WOBI Education Program is to help you as an aspiring board director to strengthen the educational skills and knowledge you have as well as provide you with opportunities to further develop key capabilities.
Ensure you have viewed the Are you board ready? factsheet (see part 2 and part 3) and complete a self-reflection of your current skills and capabilities. It is also important to consider any specific skills or qualification requirements your boards of interest may have, to be successful in joining. If you have identified gaps, consult the list of education providers that have been specifically highlighted based on the selection criteria used in assessing board applicants.
Research highlights that effective networking with existing board members is key to enabling aspiring women to be successful in attaining board positions. Identifying and planning to address individual educational needs, mentoring, board shadowing and building an effective professional network within the board member community will all need to be considered to ensure your success.
Gaps in knowledge, skills or capabilities
There are criteria that guide board appointments. Before applying for board vacancies, review the list below and consider where you have strong experience and qualifications and where you might have some educational gaps. You may not need to meet each of the selection criteria, as you may bring strength of skills in one or two domains that meet the needs of a particular board. Take the time to reflect and, for areas you have identified as gaps, consider the education programs available below.
 | Accounting and finance |  | Human resources |  | Integrity, ethical behaviour |
 | Risk management |  | Strategic thinking |  | Emotional intelligence |
 | Networking |  | Legal knowledge and governance |  | Board-ready CV |
 | Leadership skills |  | Industry-specific knowledge |  | Social media presence |
 | Collaboration skills |  | Knowledge of directors’ responsibilities |
Education opportunities for aspiring women
This list provides a sample of providers that offer training, specialist services and executive coaching for aspiring women.
It is advised that before women choose a service provider, they consider specific qualification requirements of their board of interest and take into consideration their identified skills gaps.
For formal qualifications you could also consult the Australian Qualifications Framework to ensure that the training provided is in line with your educational level and needs.
| Organisation | Programs |
|---|---|
| AreteExecutive ™ |
|
| Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) |
|
| Australian Institute of Company Directors |
|
| Australian Institute of Management (AIM) |
|
| Business and Professional Women (BPW) Australia |
|
| Chief Executive Women (CEW) |
|
| Coursera |
|
| Director Institute - Next Generation Directors |
|
| Diversity Partners |
|
| edX |
|
| Executive Coaching International |
|
| Franklin Covey |
|
| Future Directors Institute | |
| Get on Board Australia |
|
| Governance Institute of Australia |
|
| Hewsons Executive Coaching |
|
| Inkling Women |
|
| Institute of Community Directors Australia/OurCommunity |
|
| JKTech and AusIMM |
|
| Leadership Evolution |
|
| Steam Capital Board Readiness |
|
| The Executive Connection (TEC) |
|
| UGM Consulting Women in the C-Suite |
|
| Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) |
|
| Women in Mining and Resources Queensland |
|
| Women in Technology |
|
| Women on Boards |
|