Training for Leaders

GBNI provides a wide range of in-house training and workshops to assist its volunteers.  It also provides a bespoke Officer and Sub-Officer training course. 

Training Opportunities

It is part of the Girls’ Brigade policy that, once recruited, all volunteers should be well-informed, trained, supervised, and supported.  Once recruited by the local church, all volunteers will have access to training offered by GBNI.

In-Service Training Courses

Volunteers are encouraged to update and develop their skills and knowledge regularly through participation in in-service training. This includes workshops and training events offered by GBNI (centrally or at district level), or through external providers such as the Education Authority.

Courses range from competition workshops, dementia, mental health, First Aid, GDPR, New Captains, Risk Assessment and camp.  Most courses are open to both Officers and Associates and are regularly promoted in the GBNI Newsletter, eNews and Social Media Platforms.  Places can be booked via 'Upcoming Events' when available.  

Safeguarding Training

All leaders are required to hold valid Safeguarding training when serving in Girls’ Brigade and it must be renewed every three years.  Refresher training should be carried out within your church and is not offered through the Girls’ Brigade.  Adults who have not completed Girls’ Brigade leadership training should be provided with Child Protection training by their local church.  For further details, refer to page 53 of the GBNI Leaders’ Manual.  

Please email martha@gbni.co.uk if you have any training queries.

Officer and Sub-Officer Training

Leadership Training

Adults and young leaders appointed by the church can attend either GBNI Officer or Sub-Officer leadership training.  Officer training is for adult leaders aged 18+ and it is mostly young people aged 16-18 who complete the Sub-Officer course.  There are basic entry requirements for these courses and the parent church may add to these as necessary to help select the most suitable people to put forward for training.   

Course minimum entry requirements:

  • She must be at least 16 years old on 1st July.

  • She must be committed to the Christian aim of GB.

  • She must have attended church regularly this session.

  • She should have earned a company attendance award for this session.

  • She should demonstrated leadership potential.

  • She should be committed to serving the GB company.

Training is made up of webinars, practical experience within a company (with guidance from a supervising Officer/Captain) which is then recorded in a Trainee Experience Booklet and face-to-face training. 

As part of the current Sub-Officer Training course, GBNI provides a compulsory Safeguarding Training Workshop for all new trainees.   This provides an awareness of safeguarding issues, safety guidelines, and practical guidance for working with children and young people.  This training does not have to be repeated should a leader go on to complete Officer Leadership Training, provided they have kept their safeguarding training up to date via their parent GB Company church. If a Trainee Officer, however, has never completed the GBNI Safeguarding Training they will need to undertake this module as part of their Officer Leadership Training.

If you were previously a Commissioned Officer in a GBNI company and are returning to serve in your local GB company, you may have to complete some form of leadership training depending on the length of time you have been absent:

  • Out from GB less than five years - No further training required, except Safeguarding Refresher provided by your church.

  • Out from GB five years but less than ten years - You are required to complete Officer Refresher Training.

  • Out from GB ten years or more - You are required to complete full Officer Leadership Training.

Leadership Applications are now closed for 2026 entry.

If you are a Captain or Chaplain needing to approve a training application. Please download and read the below guidance notes to assist you with the approval process.

Download guidance notes

FAQ

Officer Leadership Training - What will my course look like?

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Officer Leadership training is made up of three parts:

  • Webinars - Officer Theory webinar and Safeguarding webinar - all webinars are run in the evening 7-9pm, September to November, there are multiple dates for both webinars and you can indicate your preference on your application form. You must complete the Officer Theory webinar, however, if you have already completed the GBNI Safeguarding training and kept your certificate up to date via your church refresher safeguarding training then you do not need to redo this part of the Leadership training.

  • Company Experience booklet - this booklet is completed during the GB session in your GB Company - it is made up of practical tasks to complete and information to find out. Completed Company Experience booklets should be sent to GBHQ for marking, preferably by the end of April and will be returned to you at your Officer Training day.

  • Officer Training - this is a practical, half-day, face-to-face training session that will run May/June of your training year, with two different dates/venues to choose from. You will be asked to book this training after you have completed the webinars.

Sub-Officer Leadership Training - What will my course look like?

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Sub-Officer Leadership training is made up of three parts:

  • Webinars - Officer Theory webinar and Safeguarding webinar - all webinars are run in the evening 7-9pm, September to November, there are multiple dates for both webinars and you can indicate your preference on your application form. You must complete both webinars.

  • Company Experience booklet - this booklet is completed during the GB session in your GB Company - it is made up of practical tasks to complete and information to find out. Completed Company Experience booklets should be sent to either GBHQ or your local District Training Team rep. for marking, preferably by the end of February and will be returned to you either in your GB Company's August pack or by the District Training Team rep. We will let you know where to send your booklets in good time.

  • District Workshop - this is a practical, 2-3hr, face-to-face training session that your District will organise. You will be sent out the details of the workshop in your local District. If the date does not suit you you can complete this part of your training with another District, simply email martha@gbni.co.uk to find out the other dates available.

Refresher Officer Leadership Training - What will my course look like?

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You will need to complete both the Officer Theory and Safeguarding webinars - all webinars are run in the evening 7-9pm, September to November, there are multiple dates for both webinars and you can chose your preferred date on your application form. You can also attend the Officer training day and complete the Company Experience booklet if you wish, but you are not required to do these elements of the training.

How much do the Leadership Training courses cost?

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Officer Leadership training - £25

Refresher Officer Leadership training - £18

Sub-Officer Leadership training - £20

How long does it take to complete the Leadership Training courses?

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All of the Leadership Training courses can be completed within one GB session i.e. September to June. You can also defer any part of your course if you need to and complete this in the following GB year.

Officer Leadership Training - what are the requirements to join the course?

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You need to be 18 years old on or before the 1st July of the year you wish to join the course. Your GB church may also ask for some requirements before they approve your application, for example:

  • you are committed to the Christian aim of the GB

  • you attend church regularly

  • you have earned a company attendance award for this session

  • you have demonstrated leadership potential

  • you are committed to serving in your GB Company

Refresher Officer Leadership Training - what are the requirements to join the course?

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You need to be a commission GB Officer who has been out of GB for less than 10 years. Your GB church may also ask for some requirements before they approve your application, for example:

  • you are committed to the Christian aim of the GB

  • you attend church regularly

  • you are committed to serving in your GB Company

Sub-Officer Leadership Training - what are the requirements to join the course?

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You need to be 16 years old on or before the 1st July of the year you wish to join the course. Your GB church may also ask for some requirements before they approve your application, for example:

  • you are committed to the Christian aim of the GB

  • you attend church regularly

  • you have earned a company attendance award for this session

  • you have demonstrated leadership potential

  • you are committed to serving in your GB Company

When do the Leadership Training courses start?

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All of the Leadership Training courses start in September with the webinars.

When can I apply for the Leadership Training courses?

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You can apply for any of the Leadership Training courses from the start of February, to begin the course in the September of the same year.

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