What we offer

At the City & Guilds Foundation, we are committed to supporting people who face barriers to developing skills and sustaining employment.

Our
Funding

Our
Awards

Our
Campaigning

Our
Resources

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Our approach to tackling these challenges is multifaceted

We provide Funding for training to help those with limited financial means to return to work or develop and progress in their career.

We celebrate and share achievements and best practice through our Awards.

We enhance awareness through our Campaigning, championing inclusion & diversity, neurodiversity, youth engagement and the challenges of digital poverty.

We deliver a range of Resources, including platforms, tools and content, to educate, support and inspire.

Funding

Affordability presents a key barrier to individuals undertaking vital training to enhance their employment opportunities. 

Through the City & Guilds Foundation’s bursaries, funding for skills development is delivered to those who really need it, supporting the hardest-to-reach groups to develop skills for employment.

The City & Guilds Foundation’s strategic social investments ensure the provision of funding for training to displaced people, former offenders and people from lower socio-economic groups. Our aim is to change lives and meet the needs of society by providing the financial means to enhance opportunities for securing and sustaining meaningful employment.

Our funding activities include our bursary programme which supports individuals in genuine financial need to access training programmes to upskill, our Future Skills Commission for Prisons which aids organisations delivering employment support for offenders, and other socially-centred programmes such as pro bono work.

Bursaries: funding for training

Since 2000, our bursary programme has been helping people in genuine financial need access training so they can develop skills for meaningful employment in key sectors facing skills shortages.

Transitions Commission

The Transition Commission has been established to support inspirational organisations to deliver innovative programmes that support young people at risk of falling out of education, training or employment.

Supporting Rehabilitation

We are encouraging and assisting inspirational organisations that are delivering innovative programmes to support offenders to build their skills and move into employment.

Local Community Skills Fund

The Local Community Skills Fund supports a wide range of initiatives that will make a positive impact on communities across the UK. Funding up to £10k is available to help disadvantaged people develop the skills they need to find employment by providing training and support.

Awards

The City & Guilds Foundation is dedicated to using the power of celebration to recognise and reward quality, excellence and outstanding results, whilst sharing best practice and inspiring change.

Through an assortment of prestigious awards that honour employers, City & Guilds employees, learners and tutors, the Foundation seeks to promote the acknowledgement, appreciation and celebration of individuals and organisations who demonstrate commitment and investment in skills development.

300+

organisations awarded

650+

colleagues recognised

30+

prizes given

Princess Royal Training Awards

Honouring employers who have created outstanding training and skills development programmes which have resulted in exceptional commercial benefits.

Membership Awards

The Membership Awards celebrate and recognise tutors and trainers who are making a real difference.

Ampersand Awards

Valuing and revering City & Guilds staff, the Ampersand Awards are a great way for us to celebrate our values, our purpose and our people.

Livery Company Prizes

Honouring outstanding achievements from students or tutors who have taken or taught City & Guilds qualifications in the trade of a Livery Company.

Campaigning

The City & Guilds Foundation are committed to enhancing awareness and broadening our reach. 

Through our campaigns, we endeavour to eliminate barriers and challenge perceptions which adversely affect work and skills development opportunities for marginalised groups.

Our extensive and influential campaigns champion inclusion & diversity, neurodiversity, youth engagement and underline the challenges of digital poverty.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

As employers, it’s our responsibility to learn about the diversity of thought and experiences that exist in our communities and societies. It is also our job to create inclusive, safe, fair workplaces to empower diverse talent.

Neurodiversity Index

We’ve partnered with Do-IT Solutions to find out how well employers support people with neurodiverse traits and to create our first Neurodiversity Index report.

Resources

The City & Guilds Foundation delivers a range of resources to educate, support and inspire organisations, employers, individuals and wider society.

Through platforms, tools and content, including Apprentice Connect, IBM SkillsBuild, the Lived Experience and Refugee Toolkits, the Foundation offers a range of information, advice and guidance to provide support and enhance opportunities for skills development.

Apprentice Connect

Created in 2013, Apprentice Connect is an initiative developed by City & Guilds apprentices who wanted to improve the information, advice and guidance offered to young people on apprenticeships.

Digital Poverty

Read the recent digital poverty report and recommendations from our partner the BAME Apprenticeship Alliance or access free digital resources.

IBM SkillsBuild

SkillsBuild is a learning platform from IBM that offers new and curated digital learning content to help you develop knowledge and skills to support your career.

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Inspiring talent: celebrating exceptional tutors and trainers

Here at City & Guilds Foundation we use the power of celebration to recognise and reward excellence, and our most recent award programme which does just that are...

City & Guilds launches new Commission to tackle surge in youth unemployment   

City & Guilds commit £500,000 in funding to target local challenges in areas of deprivation and economic inactivity in the UK  New Transitions Commission...

From Princesses to prisoners: celebrating 30 years at City & Guilds with Michael Osbaldeston

Today marks the 30th anniversary of our much-loved colleague Michael. You're just as likely to see him with a glass of champagne at the City’s most elegant halls as you...

Launching the City & Guilds Neurodiversity Index 2025 and creating environments for everyone to thrive

Ahead of Neurodiversity Celebration Week (17-23 March), we are pleased to launch the third edition of the annual Neurodiversity Index, commissioned by the City & Guilds Foundation team, in partnership with Do-IT Solutions.

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