Supporting Displaced People into Work
At the City & Guilds Foundation, we are committed to supporting people who face barriers to developing skills and sustaining employment.
How we
Support
Our
Partners
Across the UK, record numbers of people are seeking safety. In the year ending June 2025, more than 111,000 asylum applications were made: the highest since 2002. At the same time, government policy changes have halved the ‘move-on’ period for newly recognised refugees, giving them just 28 days to secure housing and income. This reality puts thousands at risk of homelessness and destitution.
Charities agree that employment is a critical factor in successful integration. Work not only provides income but also offers purpose, dignity and a path to stability. Refugees bring skills, resilience and determination; helping them into jobs also addresses the UK’s growing skills shortages.
At the City & Guilds Foundation, we believe in the life-changing power of skills. Through our Displaced People Fund we’re working alongside frontline charities to remove barriers, provide training and build pathways into work. So far, we’ve:
- Supported 445 refugees with training and qualifications and helped 124 people into work or further training.
- Partnered with 56 organisations who’ve earned credentials for supporting refugees into employment.
- Generated £2.6 million in social value – delivering £11.27 of impact for every £1 invested.
Supporting refugee communities into work isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s crucial for our economy. Refugees bring skills, experience and determination, and businesses need to take that seriously.
Working with partners to support displaced people
We’re working alongside frontline charities to remove barriers, provide training and build pathways into works.
Supporting newly arrived young people with The Positive Youth Foundation
The Positive Youth Foundation (PYF) helps newly arrived refugees and asylum-seeking young people aged 16–25 to integrate into life in Coventry. With Foundation funding, PYF launched a career boost programme offering mentoring, volunteering and online learning to help young people access college and training. Originally set to support up to 60 people, the programme has already engaged 248 young people, giving them confidence, skills and a clearer path into education, employment or training.
Find out more about how we’re working with PYF – Celebrating the achievement of young people with Positive Youth Foundation
Opening doors to the people profession with the CIPD Trust
Through our partnership with the CIPD Trust, we’re helping refugees access careers in HR and people management. The Trust connects refugee talent with professional expertise, shifting employer perceptions and offering structured support to help individuals not only get into work but also grow within their careers.
Creating employment pathways with Breaking Barriers
Breaking Barriers supports refugees to build new lives through advice, education and tailored employment support. Working with the Foundation, we are co-designing training pathways in the engineering, care and construction sectors to help refugees move directly into meaningful work.
Find out more about our commitment to supporting refugees into employment – City & Guilds Foundation – Helping refugees find meaningful employment
Resources for Employers
If you’re an employer looking to take action, these resources can help:
- Launchpad Collective e-module – a free online course packed with practical tips on how to recruit and support refugees. Complete it to earn a digital credential you can share on LinkedIn.
- CIPD Trust Hiring Refugees Guide – a practical handbook offering recommendations on recruitment, induction and ongoing support.