News

Future-proofing engineering: four critical skills areas shaping the future of the industry

Explore how digital transformation, sustainability, workforce diversity and future talent development are driving change across the sector – and why it’s essential to invest in these areas.

City & Guilds wins major MoJ Prison Education Contract

At City & Guilds we are proud that for almost 150 years we have collaborated with people, organisations, and economies to help them identify and develop the skills they need to thrive. We understand the life changing link between skills development, social mobility, prosperity, and success so everything we do focuses on developing and delivering high-quality training, qualifications and credentials that lead to jobs and meet the changing needs of industry.

Latest City & Guilds Insight Podcast explores the need for improved menopause support in the workplace

As part of our mission to identify and tackle skills shortages facing the UK, City & Guilds’ ‘Navigating the UK Skills Challenges’ podcast series provides insights from experts and sector leaders on best practice and innovations - helping employers, trainers and individuals to meet current and future skills challenges.

Celebrating the start of the second year of the Agriculture, Land Management and Production T Level

How a new T Level option is already showing results for learners and colleges in the agriculture, environment and animal care space.

City & Guilds and hundo deliver employability skills support to young people

City & Guilds is proud to announce a new collaboration with hundo, the award-winning platform focused on addressing youth unemployment, to deliver a new employability skills pilot programme. Supported by the City & Guilds Foundation, this initiative aims to bridge the gap between education and employment by equipping young people with the skills they need to thrive in the modern workforce.

Driving a greener future for transport with electric vehicle charging qualifications

How the right skills solutions can take electric vehicle adoption to the next level.

Making Skills Work: City & Guilds Productivity Report champions skills as key to unlock UK growth

City & Guilds’ report finds acute regional skills disparities across the UK and calls for the new government to place skills policy at the heart of its growth strategy.

Celebrating our learners’ achievements: Our new Skills Change Lives campaign

Celebrities from the worlds of TV, fashion and journalism explain how skills training helped them on their path to success, in a series of exclusive interviews with City & Guilds.

Jay Blades MBE Resignation

Jay Blades MBE Resignation

Measuring the impact and value of skills development

How the right training evaluation can make the case for L&D investment.

Onsite Construction & Building Services Engineering T Levels

T Level contract update

Results day 2024

Congratulations to all learners receiving their City & Guilds qualifications.

What five key things should the new Labour government be targeting to improve the UK skills system and boost growth?

Discussing skills shortages, small businesses and apprenticeship reform at the Employment and Skills Convention

Department for Education announces pause and review of post-16 qualification reforms in England

The defunding of qualifications that overlap with T Levels has been paused.

Green skills training: Why it's essential to meet industry demands for a green workforce

As the world strives towards net zero goals, education providers and businesses are prioritising the development of green skills to prepare people for a growing number of green job opportunities.

Driving forward an ambitious skills agenda and plans for education

The new UK Labour government has set out plans to expand high-quality education, employment and training routes.

Important updates regarding the Livestock Production Occupational Specialism (OS) within the Agriculture Land Management Production (ALMP) T Level

From September 2024, pig skills will be introduced into the Livestock Production OS pathway.

Why it’s time to address the health and wellbeing crisis facing the construction sector

How training providers and employers can create a construction industry that is safer and healthier for everyone.

Update on new Annual Fee, minimum spend and price review

City & Guilds and ILM revised pricing will start to be available in Walled Garden from July 2024 – understand the revised plan.

5 skills development tips to grow your business: From strong leadership to AI

Ensure you’re investing in the right skills for your organisation with key insights from HR and L&D professionals, as explored in our Skills Discovery Sessions.

City & Guilds brand Kineo announces launch of new ESG training offering

Kineo look to revolutionise corporate training and handling of Environmental, Social and Governance responsibilities with new suite of courses.

DfE announces reformed qualifications approved for funding from August 2025

The Department for Education (DfE) set out changes to level 3 and below qualifications following the post-16 qualification review in England. DfE has now published a list of Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs) that have been approved for public funding at level 3 from 1 August 2025, including new City & Guilds qualifications.

Apprenticeships plugging the digital skills gap

How Baltic Apprenticeships and City & Guilds are working together to deliver essential digital skills training.

Meet the City & Guilds customer support teams

Find out who to go to with questions and issues in our support team Q&A.

Innovative prison-based hospitality training helps prisoners develop in demand skills

How The Right Course and City & Guilds are upskilling prisoners through practical experience and quality education.

Scaling skills and employment opportunities to reduce reoffending

City & Guilds was delighted to host our event, ‘Scaling skills and employment opportunities to reduce reoffending’ at HMP Highpoint recently.

Celebrating the power of skills focused prison rehabilitation and new beginnings this spring

How City & Guilds is supporting skills development for prisons and prison leavers

City & Guilds Foundation - Rehabilitation Collaboration Event

On 28 February the City & Guilds Foundation brought together industry leaders and representatives from charity partners to build relationships and share insights and experiences of promoting education and training in prison.

International Women’s Day 2024: In conversation with Cecilia Harvey

To mark International Women’s Day 2024 and highlight this year’s theme of ‘inspire inclusion’, we interviewed our very own women in STEM champion, City & Guilds’ Chief Operating Officer, Cecilia Harvey, about her career experiences in the largely male-dominated world of IT and technology.

Could creating more regionalised skills development strategies be the solution to closing our growing skills gaps?

How Local Skills Improvement Plans are changing the adult skills landscape

New approval charge and price changes from 1 September 2024

As part of our annual pricing review, City & Guilds and ILM will be reducing the minimum spend level and introducing a new annual approval charge from the next academic year.

City & Guilds Joins forces with Multicultural Apprenticeship Alliance to spearhead Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Apprenticeships and Skills

City & Guilds, the global skills organisation, is proud to announce today the formation of a new alliance with the Multicultural Apprenticeship Alliance (MAA), that will provide much-needed support to learners, allowing them enhanced access to a wider range of apprenticeships and other vocational training opportunities.

Interview with City & Guilds CEO Kirstie Donnelly and Seema Malhotra MP, Labour’s Shadow Skills & Further Education Minister

City & Guilds CEO Kirstie Donnelly met with the Labour Party’s Shadow Skills & Further Education Minister, Seema Malhotra MP for a relaxed interview at the beautiful Stationers' Hall near to St Paul’s

Podcast: Exploring the opportunities and challenges in green careers

The City & Guilds Green Edge podcasts navigates the critical role of green skills in shaping our economy.

5 ways that T Levels prepare learners for apprenticeships

How T Level qualifications bridge the gap between apprenticeships and full-time education.

The benefits of apprenticeships to employers: In conversation with Balfour Beatty

We spoke with Balfour Beatty’s Head of Engineering Craig Jolly about why apprenticeships are important to the business and the future of industry.

From classroom to career: An engineering apprentice's path to success

Engineering apprentice Millie Norman shares how on-the-job training launched her career and why apprenticeships offer great options for aspiring engineers

Is now the perfect time to train as an electrician?

The demand for skilled electricians is expected to be higher than ever as the UK pushes to meet net zero targets.

Cynnig Cymraeg recognition awarded to City & Guilds for efforts to improve Welsh language services

City & Guilds has (1st November 2023) been awarded the prestigious ‘Cynnig Cymraeg’ from the Welsh Language Commissioner, in recognition of the organisation’s commitment to offering services in the Welsh language.

Rhoi cydnabyddiaeth y Cynnig Cymraeg i City and Guilds am ymdrechion i wella’r gwasanaethau Cymraeg

Mae City and Guilds (1 Tachwedd 2023) wedi derbyn cydnabyddiaeth arbennig y ‘Cynnig Cymraeg’ gan Gomisiynydd y Gymraeg, i gydnabod ymrwymiad y sefydliad i gynnig gwasanaethau yn y Gymraeg.

Preparing for green jobs – new podcast explores skills for a sustainable future

The City & Guilds Green Edge podcast navigates the critical role of green skills in shaping our economy

Money and Pensions Service – Assured case study

Supporting financial wellbeing through their Assured Money Guidance training programme.

Supporting the ColegauCymru conference as Headline Sponsor: Addressing the issues and opportunities facing skills development in Wales

Additional funding for Functional Skills reflects the importance of maths and English skills for individuals and for our economy.

Cefnogi cynhadledd ColegauCymru fel y Prif Noddwr: Mynd i’r afael â’r materion a’r cyfleoedd y mae’r maes datblygu sgiliau yn eu hwynebu yng Nghymru

Yng nghynhadledd ColegauCymru yng Nghaerdydd ar 12 Hydref, daeth cyflogwyr, darparwyr hyfforddiant a llunwyr polisi at ei gilydd i drafod dyfodol addysg Gymraeg

Functional Skills Funding Announcement

Additional funding for Functional Skills reflects the importance of maths and English skills for individuals and for our economy.

Training Trends 2023: Unlocking investment, realising potential

Are internal barriers to L&D leading to wasted training investment in training?

New Maths and English report highlights key priorities and challenges for providers

From managing quality to learner engagement, recent research from City & Guilds shares key provider insights.

ISB Manifesto: A vision for a Future Skills Development System – serving People, Places and Productivity

City & Guilds Industry Skills Board (ISB) have launched their Policy and Business Coalition Manifesto which gives solution-based proposals to achieve change in the skills sector.

Reflecting on EV World Congress 2023: Fostering collaboration and skills development for sustainable mobility

The recently concluded EV World Congress 2023 brought together industry leaders and policymakers to collectively shape the future of the electric vehicle (EV) charging landscape. On the 10th and 11th October, against the backdrop of Novotel London West, the event underscored the significance of collaborative efforts in moving the EV sector forward.

Celebrating World Menopause Day with community group M-Powered

How a team of Menopause Wellbeing Champions have created a safe space to share stories and affect change at City & Guilds

It’s time to close the green skills gap and create the net-zero workforce of the future

How we can use education and skills development to promote sustainability and meet net-zero targets

City & Guilds bring first Skills Hub to the political party conferences

Every year in late-September and early October the UK political parties hold their party conferences in cities across England. These present an opportunity for Members of Parliament, party members, businesses and associations to gather, discuss and debate the key issues of the day in meetings and through set speeches.

City & Guilds celebrates partnership with skills focused charity Bounce Back

How the City & Guilds Foundation is helping Bounce Back bring practical skills training to the people who need it most

City & Guilds Impact Report 2023 reinforces commitment to meaningful change

Showcasing the difference we make to over 3.5M people, the organisations we work with, and the economies we impact.

Five ways to engage with T Levels as an employer or industry expert

From qualification validation to hosting industry placements, find out how you can get involved to ensure that T Levels meet the needs of industry.

Building the future: How T Levels could change the face of construction

The new technical qualifications will be crucial to developing construction’s next generation but they will need employing organisation input to succeed.

Making the case for investment in training to drive business outcomes

Why should businesses prioritise skills development to adapt and thrive?

Driving a greener future for transport with electric vehicle charging qualifications

How the right skills solutions can take electric vehicle adoption to the next level.

City & Guilds launches partnership with The Green Edge

We are excited to announce a new collaboration with sustainable business analysts, The Green Edge, to produce a bespoke podcast series, designed to help us respond to the latest developments in green skills markets

Improving apprenticeship completions: Secure success from start to finish

How can providers help reduce apprentice dropout rates? In a new guide, City & Guilds highlights common challenges and solutions, with tips to support apprentices from onboarding to EPA.

Results day 2023

Congratulations to all learners receiving their City & Guilds qualifications today! We wish you every luck in the future.

53 Princess Royal Training Awards across UK and Ireland for achieving positive impact through skills development

Now in its eighth year, The Princess Royal Training Awards continue to honour organisations showing exceptional commitment to learning and development. Among this year’s 53 award-winning recipients, are a mix of small not-for-profit organisations and large multinationals, each showcasing a refreshing display of diverse and innovative approaches to learning and development.

Update on our annual price increase - effective from 1 September 2023

In March 2023 we notified customers that as part of our annual review there will be a price increase from September 2023.

City & Guilds have issued more than 500,000 digital credentials!

Celebrating a key milestone on our journey to digital certification.

New report says energy sector upskilling crisis is damaging UK's chances to hit net zero goals

Our research explores the readiness of the UK energy sector workforce to meet the Government's ambition to decarbonise the energy system by 2035

How to create a workplace learning culture that drives growth

Discover how learning and development professionals are putting their teams in the driving seat to establish a learning culture that leads to growth

Jay Blades MBE appointed as Vice President of City & Guilds

City & Guilds has appointed award winning TV presenter, and one of the UK’s most well-known craftspeople, Jay Blades MBE, to the role of Vice President.

South Bank Colleges – Functional Skills Maths Success for ESOL Learners

South Bank Colleges have undertaken an innovative project to develop the wider skills and aspirations of ESOL learners.

Enhancing skills development in Hong Kong through Assured accreditation

In East Asia, the demand for skilled professionals is rapidly growing as industries evolve and adapt to new technologies and challenges

National Numeracy Day

The King's commitment to crafts and skills

Why electricians should do an EV charging qualification

From electrical vehicle charging point installation to design, these new qualifications are meeting the demands of the industry.

Earth Day: Small Steps, Big Impact - Why It Matters to City & Guilds

Join our Going Green campaign and make a pledge to reduce your carbon footprint

Our annual price increase will be effective from 1 September 2023

City & Guilds and ILM are reviewing prices for the next academic year

Harnessing employability skills to succeed in an ever-changing environment

The evolution that we’ve seen occur over the past few years in the global workplace is perhaps the biggest that all working generations have seen. While the COVID-19 pandemic was clearly a primary catalyst of such change, there are other factors that contribute significantly, such as the 4th industrial revolution as a result of the massive progression of technology and AI.

The FE sector has a key role to play to support gender equality in the workplace

Kirstie Donnelly sets out the case for going further to support young women into higher-earning careers, and three steps to start delivering gender equity.

Neurodivergent employees impacted by lack of training and support in the workplace

New research from the City & Guilds, and neurodiversity experts Do-IT Solutions finds that employers are currently failing to support neurodivergent employees with a lack of training and awareness available in the workplace.

How can the land-based sector become a dream career destination for young people in England?

Raising awareness of opportunities in sectors from livestock production to ornamental horticulture and closing the land-based skills gap.

Celebrating the milestone of 50,000 end-point assessment certifications

City & Guilds Managing Director David Phillips celebrates a key milestone for apprenticeships and reflects on our EPA journey so far

Join us at the Annual Apprenticeships Conference 2023 in Birmingham

We are proud to be the Headline Sponsor for this year’s AAC event, that’s bringing together key organisations and individuals within the apprenticeship sector.

How retrofitting could help resolve the UK energy crisis

Could the solution to rising energy costs be closer to home than we realise?

What are T Levels and how can they help close the skills gap?

Learn about the technical qualifications that are helping to equip learners with the practical skills and experience needed by industries facing skills shortages.

Our commitment to sustainability – help us to transition to digital certification

As a responsible business City & Guilds is transforming the way we operate by finding more sustainable ways of working.

How apprenticeships help learners build careers for the future

With the cost of living continuing to rise and the heavy burden of debt attached to the university route, is it time for more young people to consider apprenticeships?

Only 4% of employers are spending their full apprenticeship levy funding

New research from City & Guilds, the skills development organisation, and workplace learning advocates The 5% Club finds that the government's apprenticeship levy is currently not working as many employers perceive it should.

Use your expertise to help develop qualifications

Part of the solution – the essential role of industry in technical qualification development

New platform for e-Functional Skills support resources

We’re excited to launch Boost, a new and improved platform for our e-Functional Skills support resources.

Youth Misspent: Uncovering the harsh realities for Britain’s young people in today’s job market

City & Guilds’ research finds that the odds are being stacked against young people’s futures and career aspirations – particularly the most disadvantaged.

Championing quality and support in apprenticeships

Continued commitment and investment in apprenticeships is more important now than ever but embedding a quality learning journey and offering continued support is crucial to get the best outcomes for learners and industry - says David Phillips, Managing Director of City & Guilds

T Levels: the gold standard in technical qualifications

It’s now been two years since the roll out of T Levels began and as more programmes are being introduced, including three Engineering and Manufacturing T Level pathways as well as the Management and Administration T Level just this year, are you up to speed on what they are and how they can benefit learners or have an impact on skills shortage?

Number Confidence Week

Number Confidence Week is a great time to put a spotlight on the challenges we face with numeracy levels across the UK and the opportunities we have to make a difference, for individuals, employers and the economy.

EPA price increases will be effective from 1 February 2023

City & Guilds and ILM prices for end-point assessment will increase from next year.

Powering up the energy sector’s skills strategy

The Energy sector is one of the most critical industries in the country and has dominated headlines in recent months – how is the sector evolving and what opportunities can a career in the sector offer?

Training Trends 2022

City & Guilds’ research finds that despite continued investment into tailored in-house training programmes, many are failing or falling short of achieving their objectives with 99% of employers seeing a programme fail in the last five years.

City & Guilds acquires electrical training provider Trade Skills 4U

City & Guilds, the global skills development organisation, has today announced the acquisition of Trade Skills 4U, one of the UK'’s leading training providers for electrical engineering, from private equity firm Palatine.

Assessment arrangements for 2023

City & Guilds, AoC and AELP partnering to form the Future Skills Coalition

A Skills and Productivity vision for the Future

Colleges Week: City & Guilds staff fondly remember their college days

Since its first year, Colleges Week has gone from strength to strength promoting what colleges can do for their students and staff alike.

Partnering with The 5% Club to champion apprenticeships and work-based learning

Skills are critical to the UK’s productivity and economy. As such we are delighted to be working collaboratively with The 5% Club whose purpose and vision aligns very closely to ours, as champions of the apprenticeships and skills agenda.

Specific Learning Difficulties Toolkit: For Trainers

City & Guilds in partnership with the Education Training Foundation are launching a series of tools to support inclusive learning.

World EV day 2022 - City & Guilds driving change to meet 2030 EV charging targets

World EV Day is a global movement, driving change, celebrating e-mobility and encouraging transitions to sustainable transport. City & Guilds have made significant strides to support this agenda in the past 12 months by developing a range of new products that will support the need to train tens of thousands of people to fit the new EV charging points required in the years ahead.

A symbiotic relationship: Levelling Up and Net Zero

As the world waits expectantly for the discussions, decisions and outcomes of the upcoming COP27 Summit, we at City & Guilds are strengthening our responsible business agenda with one of the key pillars being to reduce our carbon impact and achieve Net Zero by 2040. As part of the review we are looking internally how we build sustainability into our decision-making processes and externally how we support the drive to a fairer, sustainable future by embedding decarbonisation into our products and services.

Statement on the death of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II from Kirstie Donnelly MBE, CEO, City & Guilds:

Employer and industry T Level update: Animal Care and Management Technical Qualification (TQ)

The development of the T Level Technical Qualification has been underway since October 2021, and over recent months it has become apparent that in order to ensure the final product meets the expectations of both employers and higher education providers, the content and structure of the qualification needs further work and engagement.

Almost half of girls opt for university despite only a third of jobs requiring a degree

Ahead of A-Level results day, new research from skills organisation City & Guilds reveals that more young people are turning towards university compared to the same time last year.

Adult Social Care is an investment in all of our futures

The Social Care sector is one of the UK’s most vital industries and instrumental in supporting the most vulnerable in our society – how can we support this undervalued industry in need of skills?

City & Guilds statement on Ukraine crisis

In light of the recent escalation of the situation between Russia and Ukraine, our thoughts are with all those affected by this crisis.

99% of working electricians believe there are major risks with EV charging work

City & Guilds research finds that nearly all working electricians believe there are significant risks associated with Electrical Vehicle (EV) charging work, yet only 28% have received specific training

T Levels: Employers and experts from industry have had their say...

How T Levels in Agriculture, Environment and Animal Care have developed over the last 9 months

T Levels, Floristry and the land-based workforce of the future

How employers within the floristry industry can help define and shape the workforce of the future.

T Levels, Agriculture and the land-based workforce of the future

By nature, the land-based sector is diverse and offers a variety of exciting opportunities and career paths to choose from.

A firm foundation of skills and education needed to ‘Level Up’ the UK

The Levelling Up agenda has set out ambitious goals to improve levels of living standards and incomes across the UK, with regional inequality being a clear priority. Skills and education will undoubtedly need to play a critical role if we are to realise these ambitions.

Annual price increase confirmation for 2022/23

City & Guilds and ILM prices for the next academic year will be increasing.

The essential role of rail in keeping the country moving

The rail sector is one of the UK’s most vital industries – what do we need to do to keep it on track?

City & Guilds launch first ever interactive and digital Annual Review

Despite the challenges we all faced in 2021 living through the pandemic, City & Guilds had many achievements and successes.

City & Guilds Chair awarded damehood in Queen’s Birthday Honours

The Chair of City & Guilds, Dame Ann Limb DBE CBE FRSA DL, has been made a dame in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to Young People and Philanthropy.

Use it or Lose it – Uncovering Best Practises to Maximise the UK’s Adult Education Budget

One of the government’s many longstanding endeavours to address the ongoing skill shortage crisis in the UK – which has been further exacerbated by the pandemic and the aftermath of Brexit – is the Adult Education Budget (AEB).

Recognising skills progression with digital credentials

Alexandra O’Connor, Senior Manager – Service Design & Delivery at City & Guilds, reflects on the recent Progressing Skills through Digital Credentials webinar and the key insights from the session.

Not a shred of waste: City & Guilds gives textbooks to UK prisons

John Beck, Regional Business Manager, Northern England, Nations, Ireland & UK Prisons, gives an account of the decision to put surplus textbooks to good use, instead of destroying them.

City & Guilds is proud to be the lead supporter of National Numeracy Day 2022

Amanda Kelly shares optimistic thoughts about National Numeracy, addressing ‘maths anxiety’ and building a confident workforce.

Bridging the skills gap for EV infrastructure installation

In our efforts to consistently expand and deepen our understanding of the UK’s various sectors and their skills requirements, we hosted an enlightening round table with experts in EV (electric vehicles).

City & Guilds evolves the famous lion logo

City & Guilds has been consistently recognised each year as an iconic brand, with the symbolic lion being seen as a mark of quality and trust.

T Levels and the future land-based workforce

The benefits to employers being involved in the Technical Qualifications (TQs) for Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care T Level.

Annual price increase – update

City & Guilds and ILM prices for the next academic year will be increasing.

City & Guilds will no longer be a Credit Rating Body in Scotland

City & Guilds is a Regulated Awarding Organisation working across the UK. It also operates in Scotland as a Credit Rating Body.

City & Guilds responds to the Spring Statement

City & Guilds has responded to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement, which he made in the House of Commons earlier today.

Functional Skills: from reform to reset

Hilary Gwilliam, City & Guilds Senior Category Manager, shares her experiences on rolling out reformed qualifications during the pandemic and helping to re-set delivery post-pandemic.

How fit is your business to weather The Great Resignation storm? The seven warning signs and how to respond

Dora Timar, Senior Manager of Recognitions and Frameworks, City & Guilds reflects on the Great Resignation trend and how to put into place strategies to drive staff engagement and retention.

Our annual price increase will be effective from 1 September 2022

City & Guilds and ILM are reviewing prices for the next academic year.

Annual Apprenticeship Conference 2022

Thank you for joining us at AAC this year

Great Jobs: recognising the essential jobs that keep the UK working

City & Guilds’ research finds that despite key workers seeing the nation through the pandemic, the UK’s most vital industries are being threatened by growing skills shortages, as poor reputations and concerns about low pay turn off potential new recruits.

Investing in skills to drive growth – is your organisation fit for the future?

Dora Timar, Senior Manager of Recognitions and Frameworks, City & Guilds reflects on the smartest investments businesses can make in skills to stand out, to stay relevant and to succeed.

What skills are needed for a new era in rail?

Continuing with our employer roundtable series, we took a deep dive into the rail industry and how apprenticeships could provide a solution to the ongoing skills shortage in this critical sector.

Building the Future of Construction

Drawing our employer round table series to a close for the year, we caught up with employers and panel experts in the construction industry. The experts and organisations in attendance were those who have pledged their commitment to finding innovative solutions to the challenges faced by apprentices battling to enter the construction industry.

Recruiting for Adult Care

Kate Shoesmith, Deputy CEO at the Recruitment & Employment Confederation, discusses the challenges for the Adult Care sector and the need for a co-ordinated workforce strategy for both the immediate and long term future.

Getting your apprentices EPA ready

Rebecca Hollamby, City & Guilds and ILM EPA Partnership Manager, shares her experience on how providers can best support their apprentices, so they can succeed at end-point assessment.

USA & UK employer round table – creating gender diversity through apprenticeships

In a recent round table held with a panel of employing companies committed to change in the equality, diversity and inclusion space (EDI), the question was posed at the onset of the discussion: do we have a global skills pandemic? This is particularly timely as economies across the globe are caught up in the conundrum of jobs without people, and people without jobs.

Adult learning and apprenticeships as solutions to the lack of females and an ageing workforce in the construction sector

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic took the global economy hostage, the Fourth Industrial Revolution was making a significant impact on the skills dynamic in all industries. Perhaps one of the industries hardest hit by simple industrial change – even prior to COVID-19 – is the construction industry.

Women locked out of growing sectors as the gender pay gap widens

Our Chair Dr Ann Limb CBE, reflects on Equal Pay Day 2021 – the day in which women effectively, on average, stop earning relative to men because of the gender pay gap.

City & Guilds, Winner of the End-Point Assessment Organisation of the Year award 2021

On Thursday 11 November, City & Guilds were delighted to receive the EPAO of the Year Award at the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) ceremony.

The Future of Adult Learning in Social Care

The pandemic raised the profile of the valuable contribution that the social care workforce made to the lives of many individuals.  However there remains a huge skills challenge that needs to be addressed so that sector can increase and retain its workforce. Geraldine Donworth, Industry Manager for Health Care and Childcare, explores the key issues.

Investing in the Future of Skills – Reflections on the Autumn Budget and Spending Review

With the Government’s focus on rebuilding the economy, huge investment and effort will be needed to enable people of all ages to upskill and reskill to meet the needs of employers. We reflect on the announcements from the Autumn budget and what this means for the skills landscape.

First woman appointed as Chair at City & Guilds

City & Guilds has formally welcomed the first female Chair in its 143-year history. Dr Ann Limb CBE DL takes over from Sir John Armitt who stepped down in October after nine years as chair.

Autumn Budget and Spending Review

Our CEO Kirstie Donnelly comments on the Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Autumn Budget and Spending Review

Re-skilling for the future – where are we now?

In 2020, 11 million people in the UK were furloughed, and around 800 000 more lost their jobs, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

City & Guilds and Intertrain announce the launch of the first Small Plant training programme to the Railway Industry

City & Guilds and Intertrain have announced the launch of the first Small Plant Training programme for the railway industry. The programme reduces learning hours by around 30% and incorporates online and hands-on practical training thereby lowering travel costs for participants and minimising time spent on the course away from working hours.

City & Guilds announce new accreditation partnership with The Prince’s Foundation

In recognition of their shared commitment to the preservation of heritage craft skills, City & Guilds and The Prince’s Foundation have today announced a new partnership which will see students on a variety of the charity’s training courses receive internationally recognised qualifications accredited by the global leader in skills development.

City & Guilds awarded contracts to deliver two new T Levels in Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care

City & Guilds have been awarded the contracts to deliver two new T Level qualifications in Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care, following a tender process.

First students begin studying City & Guilds Construction T Levels in England and a new suite of Level 2 Construction and Building Services Engineering qualifications in Wales in partnership with EAL

With Brexit limiting the ability to source skilled construction professionals from overseas, it will be essential to ensure large numbers of people entering the workforce possess the skills to meet this demand.

Proactive results 2021

David Phillips, MD City & Guilds said: “We would like to offer our congratulations to all of our learners and our centres today.

More young people turning to university because of post pandemic job market, despite fewer graduate jobs predicted

Our latest research finds more school leavers are turning towards university as a default choice as uncertainty in the jobs market bites.

Our annual price review will be effective from 1st September

City & Guilds and ILM continue to work hard to ensure our customers get the best value for money whilst maintaining a business that can continue to invest in the Vocational Education sector. To support that, we have reviewed our prices for the next academic year.

City & Guilds and Intertrain support the Rail Supply Group’s work pipeline pledge

City & Guilds Technical Training and Intertrain welcome the Rail Supply Group’s (RSG) ‘Work Pipeline Visibility Pledge’.

City & Guilds annual skills index 2021

This index, created in collaboration with labour market economists Emsi and the British Chambers of Commerce explores how the skills and employment landscape is transforming and examines what skills and opportunities are growing now, and in the future.

Intertrain launches industry first Traineeship pilot

Intertrain, part of the City & Guilds, is pleased to announce that they will be the first rail training provider to offer Adult Education Budget funded occupational Traineeships to support 19 – 24-year-olds across the UK. The first cohorts in London and Birmingham started on the 10th May 2021.

Annual Apprenticeships Conference 2021 – catch up on our workshops

We were delighted to be the headline partner once again for this year’s Annual Apprenticeship Conference.

City & Guilds statement on the announcement of the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. The Duke was appointed President of the City and Guilds of London Institute in 1952 and supported the work of the Institute for over 60 years.

Customer minimum spend threshold policy review

City & Guilds and ILM have an annual minimum spend threshold that is reviewed each year. As we entered the pandemic, and our industry adjusted to online learning and assessment, we took the decision to not apply our minimum spend requirement between September 2019 and August 2020.

Digital Switch: City & Guilds launches course to help people change careers to UK’s thriving digital industry

City & Guilds has launched a brand new course to help people that work in industries impacted by Covid-19 - especially younger generations whose job prospects have been affected the most - to understand the skills needed for a new career in digital.

Covid-19 must not set the clock back on gender equality in the workplace

City & Guilds calls on employers to prioritise flexibility and training opportunities to avoid fuelling gender inequality during pandemic

Update on 2021 assessments

Level 2 Attainment report

The UK Government is currently reviewing the future of level 2 and below qualifications in the further education sector.

Building bridges towards future jobs

The Great Covid Career Pivot: A third of Britons want to switch careers, but many have no idea where to start.

Engineering and the Green Economy Webinar: Follow up report

With unique insights from industry our guests' explained how companies, jobs and workplaces are evolving

UK rail industry faces critical skills shortage by 2025 – putting success of major new projects at risk

New research by City & Guilds and the National Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR) paints a stark picture for the future of the rail workforce, with skills shortages set to escalate significantly in the sector over the next five years.

Government urged to give regions greater power over skills and employment or risk ‘levelling down’ the chances of millions

New report warns top down approach to recovery puts UK economy at risk and calls for increased devolution to address challenges that lie ahead

Recovery and Resilience

City & Guilds calls for urgent action from Government to redirect skills funding to help people back into employment.

Stamp out the stigma around apprenticeships

New research finds adults living in England think apprenticeships trump university for skills development and value for money. Yet, a majority would still choose university as a route to upskill.

Missing Millions

Undertrained, underemployed and unprepared: the UK is squandering the potential of millions of workers.

Building the talent pipeline in Saudi Arabia

We conducted an online survey in partnership with Changeboard Magazine Middle East with 516 Saudi Arabian employers, along with a small number of face-to-face interviews.

Learning and development not meeting needs of global workforce

New research published today by City & Guilds, the leading global skills organisation, reveals that while employees around the world have a strong appetite for learning, they are inhibited by a lack of accessible, appropriate and engaging training opportunities.

Sense & Instability 2019

In our latest research report, Sense & Instability we call on the Government to urgently rethink how skills and education policy in the UK is designed and delivered.

The LearningNext campaign is all about recognising that learning never stops, and that developing new skills and capabilities is something that should last a lifetime

We want to challenge the myth that qualifications and learning are limited to schools and universities, and demonstrate that whether you are a learner, employer, policymaker, or training provider, we all have a part to play in getting learning at the heart of what we do.

City & Guilds report calls for Greater flexibility in the levy

Constructing the future

How the skills needed for success in the workplace are changing.

People power

The UK is in the grip of a skills crisis that is affecting many of our industries and impacting productivity, growth and ultimately the bottom lines of businesses across the country. Our education system is simply not well aligned to the needs of industry and employer investment in skills development has not recovered since the 2008 recession.

The Smith Review is good. But what about alternatives at level 2?

Amanda Kelly discusses the implications of the Smith Review.

Princess Royal Training Awards 2017 receive over 100 applications

The City & Guilds Group is delighted to announce that the Princess Royal Training Awards 2017 received over 100 applications when entries closed on 31 March.