Mannheim Business School’s program, which runs as a part-time course over six months, will be tailored to those taking it, with classes on leadership and financial strategy, sustainability and digital transformation. 

“The structure of the classroom modules on four Fridays and Saturdays over a period of six months means there are only four working days for the course, which is convenient for managers with busy schedules,” said Jens Wüstemann, the school’s president.

The accelerator is open to all applicants, both domestic and international, for a flat fee. Participants will also take workshops on team building, agility and change management, and negotiation. 

The ultimate aim is to support women re-entering the workforce and those wanting to “gain a foothold in the German labour market”. 

In the last six months, Germany’s government has said that international graduates are “key” to addressing the skills shortages currently plaguing the country’s workforce. 

The setup of the course also means that, while candidates will be able to continue with their jobs or caring for children, they will also be able to build a “personal network”. 

On Fridays and Saturdays, candidates will share accommodation in the same hotel. This, Mannheim claims, will promote “feelings of togetherness that can facilitate network building”. 

“There are only four working days for the course, which is convenient for managers”

European Women on Boards, which evaluates countries for their efforts to promote women to the top table, found in 2021 that 14% of executives at companies in Germany are women.

Whilst women in Germany make up 33% of board members, 3% of companies have a woman as their CEO.