Skills Change Lives

Celebrating life-changing skills development

At the centre of everything we do is our long-held belief that skills have the power to inspire and create real change in people’s lives.

We are incredibly proud to have played a role in lifelong learning and career journeys for almost 150 years through vocational skills development.

We are inspired every day by the success of our learners. We want to celebrate the achievements of some of our past learners and the impact that their skills have made along the way.

In the interviews below, hear from former City & Guilds learners about how skills have changed their lives – and share your own skills stories with us on social media with the hashtag #MySkillsStory.

Ainsley Harriott MBE

A successful chef and television presenter who has written 12 bestselling cookbooks and has his own supermarket range, Ainsley Harriott talks about how the cooking skills he gained during his time completing an apprenticeship with Westminster Kingsway College set him up for life and career success.

Watch Ainsley's video

Karen Millen OBE

Famous as the founder of the well-known clothing brand which shares her name, Karen Millen’s career in fashion began at her mother’s kitchen table, putting together white shirts from bolts of fabric. Discover her journey from completing a course in fashion at Medway College (now University for the Creative Arts) to receiving an OBE for services to fashion in 2008.

Watch Karen's video

Alan Titchmarsh MBE

Possibly the United Kingdom’s best-known gardener, Alan Titchmarsh has had a long and illustrious career as a broadcaster, radio and television presenter and writer. Here, he talks about finding his vocation while completing a horticulture apprenticeship at Shipley Art and Technology Institute and the value of diverse learning opportunities for young people.

Watch Alan's video

Denise McAdam RVM

Session stylist and Royal hairdresser Denise McAdam has worked with everyone from Naomi Campbell to Sarah Ferguson, styling hair for magazines like Tatler, Brides and Vogue and receiving the Royal Victorian Medal from the Queen for services to the Royal Family. In this interview, she talks about her hairdressing apprenticeship and how styling Grace Kelly kickstarted her career.

Watch Denise's video

Caroline Feraday

An experienced and award-winning radio and TV broadcaster, Caroline Feraday has worked as a DJ, presenter and pundit for major channels including BBC, Sky and ITV while also working as a writer and a voiceover artist. Hear how her radio and journalism studies at Mid-Kent College has prepared her for a varied and successful career.

Watch Caroline's video

What’s your skills story?

Every learner journey is unique. Did building your skills lead to your dream career or open doors you never imagined? Did your skills boost your confidence and bring you closer to your goals?

Share your skills story to inspire others and empower them to gain skills that will go on to change their lives.

Share on social media using #MySkillsStory

Contact us to arrange your case study