Bursaries for people who need it the most

£1.21 million

invested

433

individuals supported

£5.87 million

Generated in social value – a return of £4.83 for every £1 invested

71%

of bursary recipients progressed into work

This year marks a milestone: 25 years since the City & Guilds Bursary scheme launched to help people in genuine financial need access the training needed to move forward in their lives and in work.

In 2020, the programme was refocused to ‘help the people who need it most, to get the skills society most needs’, prioritising individuals facing significant financial hardship and cumulative barriers to accessing skills and work, whilst supporting training in industries with critical skills shortages and with the greatest likelihood of leading to sustained employment. Most bursaries awarded range between £2,500 and £5,000, with recipients also benefiting from repurposed City & Guilds technical equipment, allowing more of the funding to be directed to course fees and essential costs.

The most common training routes were into Construction, Building Services, and Utilities (41%), with learners citing trades such as electrical, plumbing, locksmithing, and carpentry. Health and Social Care accounted for 16% of pathways, including dentistry, while 11% entered Land-Based Services such as arboriculture and landscaping.

Bursary recipients reflect a diverse range of backgrounds and life experiences:

51% are unemployed, with
1 in 4 having been out of work for over three years
86% of those in employment report earning less than £25,000 a year
63% are aged 30–50
30% have a known disability
Recipients reported at least 16 different ethnic backgrounds, representing a diverse range of communities from across the UK
12% identify as LGBTQ+

Learners have access to and achieve skills: removing barriers to learning

Since 2020, 433 learners have started qualifications they could not otherwise afford, removing a major barrier to career progression. With a 75% completion rate, many described the bursary as a lifeline, accelerating training, preventing debt, and reigniting self-belief. For some, it also fostered a stronger sense of belonging and inclusion, opening doors to networks, opportunities, and industries from which they had previously been excluded.

A City & Guilds Bursary enabled Sarah to pursue her studies despite significant health challenges. The funding allowed her to buy specialist equipment, making the study possible. “I could never have imagined I would have had the opportunity to study without the funding. The equipment allowed me to bypass my difficulties with dexterity and plough through my work.” After excelling in her Diploma, Sarah gained the confidence to enrol in an Open University degree in health and social care. She is already ahead of schedule and proud to share that she has continued her learning journey.

Learners feel more equipped and supported

For many, the bursary marked a turning point - restoring confidence, pride, and hope after redundancy, illness, disability, or trauma. Recipients were asked to share in their own words what they considered to be the greatest personal outcomes; 41% of recipients reported increased confidence and optimism for the future, 9% of learners experienced improved mental health, often linked to renewed purpose and structure, while 3% reported improved physical health, particularly in active, outdoor roles.

A City & Guilds Bursary enabled Emma to move from being a workshop assistant to a full-time carpenter. The course gave her the confidence and skills to take on site jobs and lead projects. She has doubled her salary, is developing her craft alongside experienced colleagues, and is now building a sustainable career in the trade. “The bursary has made a huge impact for me. If it hadn’t been for the course, I would not be in the position I am in now. My life changed when I got back to work.”

Learners progress towards and sustain work

City & Guilds Foundation aims to support people who are often furthest from the labour market, where progress may be slower, but the transformational impact is deeper. This reflects its commitment to providing bursaries to individuals that might be harder to reach (or easier to ignore), and where the impact for each person can be life-changing and represents powerful stories of new paths being taken and opportunities unlocked.

At application stage, only 40% of Bursary recipients who completed a recent survey, were in employment. Six months after completing their training, 71% were in work, most commonly in construction, health and social care, or land-based services.

These outcomes reflect a wide range of progression routes and show the variety of ways learners are using their training to build better futures.

Rebecca’s City & Guilds bursary was the springboard for two thriving businesses. Initially using her qualification to start her own plumbing company, she quickly established a steady income and client base in a maledominated trade. Her new skills and confidence then inspired her to launch a second venture in media, diversifying her career and income streams. Rebecca describes the experience as “life changing”, giving her both the technical expertise and belief to succeed. “I take a lot of pride in what I’ve built,” she reflects. Now selfemployed and planning to return for a carpentry course, Rebecca continues to grow her skills, challenge gender stereotypes, and create lasting value for herself and her community.

CASE STUDY

Match-funding: pooling resources to reach more people and deliver more impact

Founded in 1878 by the City of London and 16 livery companies, City & Guilds was created to advance technical education and vocational training. This shared legacy shaped the creation of the City & Guilds College, which became part of Imperial College London in 1910 and lives on through the City & Guilds building and alumni networks. The City & Guilds of London Art School became an independent charity in 1971 but continues to receive bursary and grant support, preserving heritage crafts while nurturing new talent.

The Foundation’s relationship with the 113 active livery companies in the City of London remains strong, from co-founding City & Guilds to funding specialist training through matched bursaries – supporting approximately 250 people every year – and supporting excellence in niche and heritage skills. These connections span centuries but remain focused on today’s challenges: ensuring people gain the skills, confidence and opportunity to thrive.

Through matched funding partnerships with livery companies, charities and education providers, the City & Guilds Foundation has extended the reach of its bursary programme enabling more people to access life-changing training. Match funding transforms what partners can deliver: doubling investment, removing barriers, and creating opportunities that would not otherwise exist.

Across every partner, the message is the same: matched funding doesn’t just support learners it multiplies opportunity, preserves skills, and delivers real social and economic value.

Learners have access to and achieve skills

The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers directs funding to Construction Youth Trust, to support people like Charlie, 19, who was struggling to find job opportunities and was losing motivation and self-belief. CYT supported him to start his career in plumbing with employability skills, coaching and ultimately into a Level 3 plumbing apprenticeship.

Organisations are able to support more people

For The Felix Project, via the Worshipful Company of Cooks, partnership working made the difference between running the programme and it never happening at all – allowing them to work with exceptional young people and double the impact of every pound given. At the Beyond Food Foundation, matched funding underpins their entire model, from teaching essential cooking skills and offering work experience, to building confidence, community, and employability.

Societal gaps are addressed: safeguarding skills for the future

For the Building Crafts College, this approach means opening doors for students from diverse backgrounds who would otherwise miss out on specialist training. A recent stonemasonry graduate has secured a coveted place on the King’s Foundation Heritage Programme; one of just 10 places nationwide. Without City & Guilds Foundation funding to support his training, he would not have been able to develop the specialist skills or gain the experience needed to step into a career in the heritage sector.