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Lauren Roberts

The latest stories from this author on the City & Guilds Foundation website.

City & Guilds Foundation & The WOW Show release new wellbeing resources for students

City & Guilds Foundation & The WOW Show release new wellbeing resources for students

by | 12 Sep 2022 | , , ,

With the new school year in full swing and student wellbeing a priority, the City & Guilds Foundation have teamed up with The WOW Show and partners Votes for Schools to launch an exciting new film and classroom resources to help young people build self-confidence. The animated film - The skills you didn’t know you had! - features a cast of near-peer characters in everyday situations underlining messages about the skills that are inside us all – if only we recognise them: Resilience,...

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Widening participation in heritage crafts: training bursary for Black and ethnically diverse makers

Widening participation in heritage crafts: training bursary for Black and ethnically diverse makers

by | 2 Aug 2022 | , , ,

The City & Guilds Foundation sponsors the Heritage Crafts training bursary targeted at Black and ethnically diverse makers, which is an under-represented group in heritage crafts. This guest post is by Daniel Carpenter of Heritage Crafts. For more information, see their website: heritagecrafts.org.uk. It is still the case that the UK craft sector does not accurately reflect the diversity of the UK as a whole and, for this reason, we are taking positive action to target this grant at Black...

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City & Guilds Foundation supports new bursary for Black and minority ethnic trainees

City & Guilds Foundation supports new bursary for Black and minority ethnic trainees

by | 26 May 2022 | , ,

The City & Guilds Foundation and Heritage Crafts are delighted to announce a new bursary for Black and minority ethnic trainees in heritage crafts. The first bursary is being awarded to Nkosi Kerr, who moved to the UK from Tobago in 2019. An incredible talent, he was taught carpentry by his father, a well-respected craftsman. With the support of the bursary, Nkosi will complete a Level 3 Bench Joinery course at the Building Crafts College in London setting himself up to make...

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Connecting Communities: new free service to support London residents into full time employment

Connecting Communities: new free service to support London residents into full time employment

by | 22 Apr 2022 | , , , , , ,

Connecting Communities: Your Bridge to Success Connecting Communities is a free service that can support eligible individuals* into full time employment. There are lots of jobs in the City of London, and Connecting Communities can help individuals by: Improving basic skillsLearning new skillsPreparing for a jobPutting together a CVGaining work experienceAccessing and applying for local jobs To arrange a meeting with one of their experienced Caseworkers, email...

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[Podcast] Lost Opportunities: The Hidden Cost of Caring

[Podcast] Lost Opportunities: The Hidden Cost of Caring

by | 16 Mar 2022 | , , , ,

To celebrate Young Carers Action Day, Lauren Roberts, our Foundation Advocacy lead invited Rosario Waterlow, Corporate Partnerships Executive to talk about her lived experience of being a young carer and navigating the education system and employment. Listen to hear about what more educators and employers can do support young carers to tackle the growing issues of isolation.  At the City & Guilds Foundation we are all about removing the barriers that less advantaged members of our...

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City & Guilds launch latest research report and campaign: Great Jobs

City & Guilds launch latest research report and campaign: Great Jobs

by | 1 Mar 2022 |

Recognising the essential jobs that keep the UK working As the economy reopens, Covid-19 restrictions are loosening and we are continuing to grapple with the impact of Brexit and evolving labour market needs brought about by the fourth industrial revolution and Artificial Intelligence, staffing shortages in essential jobs continue to impact UK businesses. The pandemic highlighted that “Essential jobs” such as HGV drivers and care workers are the lifeblood of Britain’s economy, yet certain...

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Lasting relationships, lasting impact

Lasting relationships, lasting impact

by | 28 Oct 2021 | , ,

Our bursary programme was set up 21 years ago to help people in genuine financial need to access training programmes. The programme was designed to change people's lives by allowing them to develop their skills - and to this day it remains a core programme of the Foundation. Last year we launched our bursary alumni, bringing together individuals who had been awarded a bursary since 2016 and wish to share their stories and inspire others. One of the most rewarding elements of the...

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Youth Voices

Youth Voices

by | 25 May 2021 |

It's been a busy few months, with lots of events happening and many opportunities to share mine & the Foundation's views on what we can do to support young people, especially those facing barriers, to engage with employment, now and into their future. Youth Unemployment Committee, House of Lords, 23 March 2021 I was honored to be invited to give evidence at the House of Lords Youth Unemployment Committee in March. I was able to give my views on work experience and the benefits it can have...

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Championing degree apprenticeships

Championing degree apprenticeships

by | 22 Feb 2021 | ,

Since their launch in 2015, the interest and uptake of degree apprenticeships has been great. Last month I was invited to speak at Universities UK Degree apprenticeships conference. The agenda was all about responding to the increased interest in degree apprenticeships. We also looked at the unprecedented challenges not only the sector is facing, but UK economy overall and making sure that degree apprenticeships remain high on the agenda. My session focused on raising the profile of this...

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Supporting vulnerable young people to access learning

Supporting vulnerable young people to access learning

by | 15 Jan 2021 | , , ,

The City & Guilds Foundation is acutely aware of the challenges facing learners at all levels across the UK, including the many learners who receive support from our charitable partners or directly through the Foundation’s bursary programme.  We applaud efforts being made by the UK Government and charities across the country to make the hardware necessary for online learning available to those in need, this support must continue to be rolled out with utmost urgency if we are to...

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