As Refugee Week shines a spotlight on the contributions, resilience and potential of people seeking sanctuary, the City & Guilds Foundation has announced funding for two new initiatives designed to help refugees and people from migrant backgrounds build skills, confidence and sustainable futures in the UK.
A combined investment of £130,000 will support projects delivered by award-winning education charity Tutors United and refugee employment charity Breaking Barriers, helping individuals overcome barriers to education, skills development and sustainable employment.
The funding reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their potential, regardless of their background or circumstances.
As Lauren Roberts, Advocacy Lead, at the City & Guilds Foundation explains:
“At the City & Guilds Foundation, we believe talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. By supporting organisations such as Tutors United and Breaking Barriers, we are helping people facing some of the greatest barriers to education and employment develop the skills, confidence and qualifications they need to thrive. This isn’t just about creating opportunities for individuals; it’s about unlocking untapped talent, strengthening communities and helping employers access the skilled workforce they need.”
Supporting families through education and employment
Tutors United, recipient of a prestigious Princess Royal Training Award in 2024, will use the funding to expand its work supporting children and families from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
The project will support 32 pupils and their families, including individuals with no recourse to public funds (NRPF), through high-quality academic support and community-based learning opportunities.
A key element of the programme will create eight paid classroom assistant roles for older students, parents and carers from migrant and refugee backgrounds. Participants will receive accredited training, mentoring from Tutors United staff and corporate partners, and a City & Guilds Digital Badge to recognise their achievement and support future progression.
The initiative aims to strengthen employability and social mobility while creating positive educational outcomes for children. Expected outcomes include improved confidence, attainment and school transition for pupils, alongside enhanced skills, earning potential and employment opportunities for classroom assistants and tutors.
The programme will also help strengthen community connections, with participants reporting greater confidence, belonging and engagement with wider society.
Breaking down barriers to meaningful employment
The second initiative will be delivered by Breaking Barriers, a charity dedicated to helping refugees rebuild their lives through employment, education and training.
Founded in 2015, Breaking Barriers supported more than 1,450 refugees across the UK in the last year alone, with 42% achieving positive outcomes in employment, education or training. Through this new City & Guilds Foundation-funded project, the charity will support refugees to rebuild careers that match their skills, experience and ambitions through targeted interventions at critical transition points, such as gaining the right to work, achieving required English language levels and accessing accredited training.
The project will directly support around 30 refugees on their journey towards employment, while contributing to Breaking Barriers’ wider national reach of more than 1,300 refugee clients annually. Support will include personalised one-to-one employment advice, group workshops, digital and AI skills training, sector-specific employability support and employer engagement opportunities. The charity will also provide targeted support to around 500 additional individuals, including people living in asylum accommodation, through flexible on-demand services.
The programme aims to strengthen employment outcomes while building confidence, motivation and job-search skills. Breaking Barriers expects 42% of participants to progress into employment, education or volunteering within 12 months, rising to more than 50% over the longer term, while 80% are expected to report improvements in confidence, employability and understanding of the UK labour market.
Alongside direct support, the charity will continue its work to tackle systemic barriers by partnering with employers, training providers and professional bodies to improve access to accreditation, requalification pathways and meaningful employment opportunities. Through this combination of individual support and wider advocacy, the project seeks not only to help refugees rebuild their careers, but also to unlock valuable skills and talent for sectors facing critical workforce shortages.
Unlocking talent and creating opportunity
Together, the two projects demonstrate the transformative impact that targeted skills development, mentoring and employment support can have on individuals, families and communities.
At a time when many sectors face ongoing skills shortages, these initiatives also highlight the valuable contribution refugees and migrants can make to the UK economy when given access to the right opportunities and support.
By investing in education, employability and progression pathways, the City & Guilds Foundation is helping to unlock potential, strengthen communities and ensure that people seeking sanctuary can build fulfilling futures in the UK.
As Refugee Week reminds us, everyone deserves the chance not just to rebuild their lives, but to thrive.
To find out more about Tutors United click here.
To find out more about Breaking Barriers click here.