MANAGEMENT skills are important in all lines of business – and vicars are no exception.

The Diocese of Liverpool provides specialist training for its clergy moving into unfamiliar parishes, and called upon Business Link North West to assist with its Fresh Start course.

Support is provided for the first year of service by St Helens Chamber of Commerce and funding was obtained through Skillworks.

Business Link skills advisor Tony Scott said: “This is one of the more unusual requests I have had, but there’s no reason why a religious organisation, with employees and training and development needs, shouldn’t be able to benefit from the assistance that is more usually offered to traditional businesses.”

Karen Dooley, lifelong learning manager at the Diocese of Liverpool, said: “Our decision to work with Business Link for the training initiative was based on the realisation that our communities are changing. Our vicars are community leaders and are in charge of what is the equivalent of a small to medium-sized business.

“They can support between 50 and 250 people over a wide geographic area and are also sometimes required to project manage specific initiatives within their communities.

“It is essential that we equip them with the leadership and management skills to lead their parish in the best possible way.” Nearly 30 vicars have been through the training, and other community leaders have been involved to help orientate clergy in their new parish, strengthening community links.