History

At City & Guilds, we're proud of our history of dedication and innovation in vocational learning.

We've come a long way since we were founded - today the City & Guilds Group is the UK's leading vocational awarding organisation. We employ over 1000 people and award 1.8 million certificates every year.

In 2008 we celebrated our 130th anniversary with the launch of our Centre for Skills Development - the latest in a long line of milestones promoting the development of skills worldwide ...

2008	We launch the City & Guilds Centre for Skills Development - and celebrate our 130th birthday.
2006	We begin work on the 14-19 Diploma along with AQA - the new qualification successfully launched in 2008.
2005	We welcome the Hospitality and Awarding Body (HAB), leader in its field, to the Group.
2004	We gain vital expertise in the land-based sector as NPTC (formerly the National Proficiency Tests Council) becomes part of the City & Guilds Group.
2002	The Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) is formed from NEBS Management, part of City & Guilds, and the ISM.
1998	We award our millionth City & Guilds NVQ.
1990	City & Guilds International is established, offering awards in business and administration and English language - which become instant worldwide winners.
1973	We establish the Technician Education Council (TEC) and Business Education Council (BEC) which later merge to form BTEC.
1964	We create NEBS Management to specialise in qualifications for managers and supervisors - the precursor to today's Institute of Leadership & Management.
1953	We establish the Associated Examinations Board (AEB), offering O-Levels and A-Levels - today it's part of AQA.
1951	HRH the Duke of Edinburgh becomes City & Guilds President - and remains so to this day.
1939 - 1945	It's business as usual during World War II, with only one exam cancelled in six years of conflict. We even hold exams for prisoners of war in Germany.
1907	Imperial College London is founded, made up of City & Guilds College, Royal College of Science and Royal School of Mines.
1900	We're granted a Royal Charter of Incorporation - recognising us as part of the constitution and national life of the United Kingdom.
1887	Our first international City & Guilds examination is held - in New South Wales, Australia.
1878	City & Guilds is founded to establish a national system of technical education - we hold our first exams in cotton manufacture, steel manufacture, gas manufacture, wool dyeing, alkaline manufacture, telegraphy and qualitative blowpipe analysis.