News & events

The latest stories in this category from the City & Guilds Foundation and our networks.

Big Idea Fund: more funding available to unlock the potential of the UK Prison population, and reduce reoffending

Big Idea Fund: more funding available to unlock the potential of the UK Prison population, and reduce reoffending

The City & Guilds Foundation is pleased to announce that we are inviting expressions of interest for the second round of The Big Idea Fund until 22 June 2023. The Big Idea Fund was the first major initiative of the Foundation’s ambitious Future Skills Commission for Prisons. And since its launch in 2020, we have funded nine pioneering programmes, which are supporting individuals in prison to develop the skills they need to find employment upon release, helping to reduce the risk of...

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Seeing first hand the difference that our funding is making

Seeing first hand the difference that our funding is making

This is a guest post by Dick Palmer, Chair of City & Guilds Foundation and City & Guilds Group Trustee Being Chair of the City & Guilds Foundation is one of the jobs I am most proud of and privileged to undertake. There is so much social need in the world and so many people deserving of our support, so it’s a pleasure to be able to be a tiny part of making a difference – particularly in combating key societal issues through the work that is happening across the Foundation. Whilst...

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Improving ex-offenders’ prospects through Groundwork’s ‘Green Start’ programme

Improving ex-offenders’ prospects through Groundwork’s ‘Green Start’ programme

Groundwork is a federation of charities mobilising practical community action on poverty and the environment across the UK. Dedicated to supporting communities and creating a green future, they aim to improve people’s prospects and promote opportunities for everyone, whatever their background or circumstances. As part of Groundwork’s commitment to enhancing opportunities for employability, back in 2021 they launched their ‘Green Start’ programme, in partnership with us at the City & Guilds...

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Celebrating skills development, in Prison, to support rehabilitation, on release

Celebrating skills development, in Prison, to support rehabilitation, on release

For nearly four years now we have endeavoured, through our Foundation, to identify and activate practical ways for offenders to build skills and gain a job upon release. Reoffending costs approximately £18.1bn every year in England, and evidence shows that upskilling prisoners to gain sustainable employment upon release, together with stable accommodation and support, is the most effective way to counter reoffending. As part of our Future Skills Commission for Prisons, we have now funded eight...

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The City and Guilds of London Institute pays loyal tribute and offers congratulations to Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla

The City and Guilds of London Institute pays loyal tribute and offers congratulations to Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla

The City and Guilds of London Institute pays loyal tribute and offers congratulations to Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla on the occasion of their Coronation and wishes them a long and happy reign. City & Guilds was founded under royal patronage by the City and Corporation of London and 16 of the Livery Companies (the great craft Guilds) in 1878. Queen Victoria granted a Royal Charter in 1900 recognising City & Guilds role in the encouragement and development of...

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IBM Bootcamps: Free Training for the Next Generation of Tech Talent

IBM Bootcamps: Free Training for the Next Generation of Tech Talent

IBM is offering a series of free bootcamps to help people develop the skills they need for in-demand tech jobs. The bootcamps are open to anyone, regardless of experience or background. What are the bootcamps about? The bootcamps cover a variety of topics, including: Data analytics IT tech support Front-end web development Each bootcamp is 10 weeks long and includes both online and in-person instruction. Learners will also have access to a community of mentors and coaches who can help them...

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Delivering Green Skills Training with Greenworkx and Catch22

Delivering Green Skills Training with Greenworkx and Catch22

The City & Guilds Foundation is pleased to announce two new partnerships with Greenworkx and Catch22 to deliver green skills training. The partnerships will provide training and support to help people from disadvantaged backgrounds develop the skills they need to work in the green economy. Greenworkx is a climate EdTech startup that is tackling the green skills emergency and building the net-zero workforce. Their mission is to get 10 million people into green jobs in 10 years. They are...

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Unlocking a Waiting Workforce: launching the refugee recruitment toolkit in partnership with The Launchpad Collective

Unlocking a Waiting Workforce: launching the refugee recruitment toolkit in partnership with The Launchpad Collective

There is a whole waiting workforce among our refugee population in the UK, yet many companies may not realise the benefits of hiring refugees as part of their recruitment strategy. That's why we've partnered with The Launchpad Collective to bring you an Employer Toolkit e-module called 'Unlocking a Waiting Workforce'. The Employer Toolkit is an engaging e-module created by Kineo that is designed to help businesses successfully hire and integrate people with refugee backgrounds into their...

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