News

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.

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 Group 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.

Update on 2021 assessments

In the driving seat for EPA success

West Suffolk College discuss their journey on moving from apprenticeship frameworks to standards.

Learning during change

Looking back on the year we have learnt so much. I would like to share some of our keys thoughts and insights with you as we forward to a new year

City & Guilds opens temporary Functional Skills assessment centres

Learners will be supported with discounted coach travel from National Express

Engineering and the Green Economy Webinar: Follow up report

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

Funding withdrawal update for Post-16 qualifications

ESFA are removing public funding from a number of qualifications that have had no take up over the last 3 years through the ESFA funding route.

Important updates for Functional Skills and End-Point Assessment

On 14 October 2020 it was confirmed that extensions to Legacy Functional Skills would be put in place to 31 July 2021. The temporary suspension of the rule requiring level 2 apprentices to study towards, and attempt, level 2 functional skills exams to 31 March 2021 was also confirmed.

City & Guilds introduce a new digital learning solution: Portfolio Plus

City & Guilds has launched Portfolio Plus – a new digital learning solution to support remote AEB delivery.

City & Guilds appoints Anthony Impey MBE as Chair of its Industry Skills Board

City & Guilds has appointed Anthony Impey MBE as the new Chair of its Industry Skills Board (ISB).

City & Guilds and EAL win contract to deliver all three routes in engineering and manufacturing

City & Guilds in collaboration with specialist engineering awarding organisation EAL, were awarded the contracts to deliver three engineering and manufacturing T Levels, following a tender process.

Helping apprentices achieve EPA success during Covid-19

Poole based private training provider Locomotivation Training have been on a digitalisation drive since 2017. They spoke to us on how they supported their apprentices over the summer through whilst working remotely.

City & Guilds joins forces with FutureLearn to help unemployed into new careers

City & Guilds has partnered with the leading social learning platform FutureLearn, to turn the tide on unemployment in the UK and help individuals who work in industries impacted by Covid-19 to reskill and switch careers into growing industries or those facing labour shortages.

Updated 28 August - DfE, FAB and Ofqual joint statement on reissued results

We want to say congratulations to everyone who received their vocational and technical qualifications results this month. You should all be very proud of your achievements and looking forward to taking your next steps.

Update 24 August, 2020 – Joint statement from Department for Education, Ofqual and FAB

Important information regarding vocational results

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’re busy reviewing our prices for the next academic year.

Guidance and advice regarding coronavirus

Important announcement regarding coronavirus

Guidance to EPA Providers on EPA event scheduling and delivery – impact of coronavirus

Important announcement for EPA providers

Exeter College

The City of Exeter is only 1 of 7 cities in the UK to increase their apprenticeship starts between 2015/2016 and 2017/18.

The Maths and English T Levels opportunity

With only a few months to go until the first T Levels are delivered and become a new technical alternative for 16-18 year olds, there are still concerns about the implementation of the new two-year programme.

City & Guilds to cease delivery of all Veterinary Nursing qualifications for Small Animal (7457-03/33) and Equine (7457-13/43)

City & Guilds wins £12m project in Jamaica

City & Guilds have just won a £12m(GBP) contract to deliver a number of different qualifications in Jamaica over a 10 year period.

City & Guilds awarded contract to deliver Construction T Level qualifications

We have been awarded the contract to deliver two T Level qualifications under the Construction route: in Building Services Engineering and On-Site Construction.

Close the Gap

Proposing a map for UK Technical and Skills Education to 2024 and beyond.

City & Guilds funding update

Guidelines have been released for centres delivering pre-existing nested qualifications.

City & Guilds funding update

The Department for Education (DfE) and Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) recently announced their plans to remove funding from several of our pre-existing legacy qualifications.

City & Guilds Group response to the Department for Education’s review of Post-16 qualifications at level 3

Qualifications at every level have value. They are able to transform lives – from the offender who is able to achieve his or her first entry level qualification and break the cycle...

New qualification checking system launched by ECS and City & Guilds

A specially-designed computer programme that allows qualifications to be automatically verified during an ECS card application has been developed by the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme and City & Guilds.

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’re busy reviewing our prices for the next academic year.

The languishing Levy pot: Accessing unspent apprenticeship funds

Almost two years after the apprenticeship levy was implemented, apprenticeship start figures continue to decline in overall terms and questions remain around the ways in which the funds collected by the Government are being spent.

Maximising Apprenticeships in Wales

The ‘Maximising the Value of Apprenticeships to Wales’ report released in January offers fresh ideas and a new momentum to the debate about how Wales might provide an exemplary apprenticeships system.

Can your learners prove their compliance with standards and regulations in one click?

For the first time, an internationally recognised City & Guilds Certificate in 18th Edition Wiring Regulations is accompanied by a verifiable Digital Credential.

City & Guilds helps keep reoffenders locked out of prison

The Ministry of Justice has published an analysis which examines the reoffending behaviour of 5,768 people who registered for one of six City & Guilds courses whilst in prison.

City & Guilds Group calls for more flexibility in the apprenticeship system as numbers expected to drop again

Given the expected drop in new apprenticeship starts tomorrow, and the fact that around 90% of the levy remains unspent, the City & Guilds Group has called upon Government to listen to employers by allowing more flexibility in how the apprenticeship levy is spent. This is vital to ensure apprenticeships remain a viable skills solution for businesses.

Employers predict skills gaps and Brexit will stifle UK businesses

As the UK continues to navigate a period of uncertainty ahead of its exit from the European Union, new research published today by the City & Guilds Group and Emsi reveals that nine in 10 employers already struggle to recruit the skilled staff they need.

Employers and education providers voice serious concerns over T Level work placements

“Skills gaps and skills shortages are severely hampering UK productivity and T Levels have the potential to help solve these; providing young people with high-quality technical education to both improve their employability and create a better-skilled workforce."

TechFuture

Following its search for a new home for the Tech Partnership’s work in schools, the Tech Partnership today announces that a City & Guilds consortium is taking over the TechFuture programme, ensuring a bright future for the portfolio of TechFuture Classroom, TechFuture Girls, TechFuture Badges and TechFuture Ambassadors.

The apprenticeship levy: a solution for UK skills shortages

While employers continue to have reservations about the way apprenticeships are funded, a new piece of research by City and Guilds and accounting firm Grant Thornton suggests that they are starting to get to grips with apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships remain crucial to the future of the UK construction industry

How can employers take matters into their own hands and start using apprenticeships to ensure they’ve got a workforce in place to shape the future of the industry?

Don't write apprenticeships off. They haven't even got started yet

With so much negative discussion, questions have understandably been raised about the future of apprenticeships in the UK. The good news is that despite what the headlines say it seems like good progress has been made in the first year.

Getting to grips with the Apprenticeship Levy

I would ask for caution before people start writing the levy off as a failure. Any new system needs time to bed in – especially one with such significant changes involved.

My challenging journey to an apprenticeship

I left school, still needing to convince my parents an apprenticeship was a good idea.

Farmers Weekly March 2018

With Brexit fast approaching and fears about skills shortages growing in every sector, access to a talented workforce has never been so important. Research from City & Guilds last year found that 87% of employers are already struggling to recruit the skilled workers they need.

City & Guilds is named a 2018 Superbrand

Influential list of UK brands - Superbrands ranks City & Guilds as one of the top 100 brands in the UK and number one in the Education, Training & Development’ category

Don’t knock apprenticeships – give them time and support

Kirstie Donnelly MBE, Managing Director at City & Guilds Group, talks about the apprenticeship system.

We are launching a new, modern look for our certificates

New certificates coming soon

A big break into prisons education

The Ministry of Justice has awarded global leaders in skills development, City & Guilds, contracts to be the exclusive provider of qualifications in English, Maths, Hospitality and Catering and Construction in prisons across England, becoming the only awarding organisation to win across multiple bid areas.

Comment on the apprenticeship levy

Kirstie Donnelly MBE, Managing Director at City & Guilds Group, comments on the apprenticeship levy

City & Guilds working in partnership with EIS to support Scottish teachers

City & Guilds, in partnership with EIS, is pleased to announce that a further round of funding has been made available by the Scottish Government for a new intake of teachers onto our online Master-level teaching programme in Scotland.

Innovative duo win award for cooking up the future of skills

Innovative duo win award for cooking up the future of skills

Construction leaders call for greater unity over T levels

Construction leaders call for greater unity over T Levels

The ‘secret seven’ Graduate Chefs revealed at 15th anniversary lunch

The Craft Guild of Chefs announces seven chefs make the grade in the 2017 Graduate Awards examination

City & Guilds and WJEC win first ever bid designed to streamline skills provision in Wales

New contract set to deliver qualifications for the Health, Social Care and Childcare sectors in Wales.

MPs share their skills story for City and Guilds Group campaign

MPs share their skills story for City & Guilds Group campaign

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.

American Culinary Federation And Worldchefs Open Up A New ‘World Of Possibilities’ For Chefs In America

Chefs in America can now satisfy their taste for adventure, thanks to an historic agreement between the American Culinary Federation (ACF) and the World Association of Chefs Societies (WORLDCHEFS).

New Technical Qualifications opening up a world of choice for 14 – 19s

Young people will soon have more choice when selecting their 14 -19 educational options after 95 new City & Guilds Technical Qualifications at Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 were approved by the Department for Education (DfE).

Employers still in the dark about forthcoming apprenticeship changes

Employers in the dark about apprenticeship changes

UK employers overly-optimistic about the impact of Brexit

Are UK employers overly-optimistic about the impact of Brexit?

City & Guilds and CCATF join forces

City & Guilds and CCATF build strong foundations for construction industry

Kirstie Donnelly comments on OFSTED annual report

Kirstie Donnelly comments on OFSTED annual report

The importance of getting end assessment right in apprenticeships

Apprenticeship end assessments

Commercialisation doesn’t have to be a dirty word

Commercialisation-of-Colleges

We need great teachers who are also masters of their craft

Craftmanship-Research

City & Guilds collaborate with the BBC to deliver ‘Team Challenge’ for learners

City & Guilds partnered with social enterprise company, MyKindaFuture and the BBC to deliver this year’s City & Guilds Team Challenge competition to colleges, training providers and their learners, culminating in a finale day at the BBC Academy in Birmingham on Friday 8th July.

Lion Awards 2016

Learners and tutors triumph at skills Oscars

City & Guilds Skills Funding Workshop - London

Get the latest on the Apprenticeship levy and Funding Reforms: come to our Skills Funding Workshop on the 28th June at the City & Guilds Group office in London.

Kirstie Donnelly comment on Coates Review

Kirstie Donnelly MBE comment on Coates Review on prison education

Never mind the Brexit . . . . It’s the City & Guilds People’s Choice Award

CG Lions Peoples Choice Award

A Practical Guide to Craftsmanship

Craftsmanship can be taught in an FE setting and a business administrator has just as much right to apply the label of craftsman to themselves as a jewellery maker.

FE Week Annual Apprenticeship conference (AAC)

See us at the FE Week Annual Apprenticeship Conference (AAC) this week.

Helping Local Authorities meet their apprenticeships targets!

Last year the Government presented us with their 2020 vision for apprenticeships - to deliver 3 million apprenticeship starts in England.

Princess Royal Training Awards Webinars

Book your place on Thursday 3 March, 2pm or Thursday 17 March, 5pm.

Businesses back new employability research by City & Guilds

Learning to be employable

Boosting skills by 10% could increase UK GDP by £163bn

Lack of skills affects countries globally, according to a new report from the City & Guilds Group

Great Expectations research

68% of young people plan on university, but only 30% of jobs require a degree

It’s time to tell teens the truth about careers says City & Guilds

It’s time to tell teens the truth about careers says City & Guilds

'Maintain this commitment to skills'

The City & Guilds Group responds to the Chancellor's Comprehensive Spending Review

City & Guilds Group launches brand new award for training

A new awards programme by the City & Guilds Group means UK organisations will soon be able to receive national recognition.

Birmingham TechBac Pioneer celebrates first year

South and City College, Balfour Beatty, and City & Guilds get together to celebrate first year as national TechBac Pioneer

The Quality of Apprenticeships

CBI delegates were challenged over the quality of apprenticeships.

The City & Guilds Group agrees the acquisition of Nine Lanterns

Award winning elearning provider joins the City & Guilds Group

BBC launch nationwide competition at pioneering Birmingham college

Learners on a pioneering City & Guilds course helped the BBC to launch a national student team challenge across the UK.

Business backs UCAS style system to expand access to apprenticeships

Business backs UCAS style system for apprenticeships

Investing to support skills development across the world

The City & Guilds Group announces £7.5m investment in its social purpose

Young people need better careers advice, warns City & Guilds Group CEO

City & Guilds Group CEO responds to ONS unemployment stats

Sixth-formers to be offered courses in real-life maths

Kirstie Donnelly MBE, Managing Director of City & Guilds comments on Government's announcement.

You want to narrow the gender pay gap? Tackle the ‘gender career gap’ first

Kirstie Donnelly MBE talks about the real problem behind unequal gender pay.

From England to New York - how baking made it possible

Has the Great British Bake Off inspired you to bake? Hear from a professional baker whose skills have taken him around the world

From Apprentice to MBE

Manchester tutor Andy Dennis honoured with an MBE

The Government must support adults in gaining skills too, says City & Guilds Group CEO

Latest ONS figures show youth employment is up, but overall employment is down

New partnership ‘activates’ tech-based learning for tomorrow’s workplace

City & Guilds partners up with Activate Learning

Holiday stress a major issue as three in five in British employees work while on leave

The majority of UK employees work whilst on leave, new ILM research shows

Carving out a new future

'It's different going to college as an adult. You see the end target so investing in your education is value for money because you know you won’t throw it away.'

Pride of Lions

Celebrating our 2015 Lion Awards

The City & Guilds TechBac® recognised as route to university

The City & Guilds TechBac® recognised as route to university

Apprenticeship numbers won't mean anything without quality, says CEO

Chris Jones and Kirstie Donnelly respond to the 2015 Queen's Speech

In the Spotlight: Riam Institute of Technology (Malaysia)

A case study focusing on Malaysia's Riam Institute of Technology

Catch up on the Skills Debate

Find out what was discussed at the City & Guilds Group's Skills Debate in February.

Leading the way - City & Guilds Centres at the forefront of innovation

A case study focusing on two of City & Guilds leading centres in Trinidad and Tobago

Invest in skills in UK tourism says Commons report

Kirstie Donnelly comments on Commons report on tourism

Apprenticeships: what's in a name?

Before trying to increase numbers, we have to define what actually qualifies as an apprenticeship

UK charity uses chainsaw skills to clear damage in Vanuatu

Charity brings relief to disaster victims one tree at a time

Reaching the top with City & Guilds Higher Level Engineering Qualifications

A case study from our Touching the future campaign featuring three of the UK's leading Engineering Institutions

Apprenticeships aren't about the numbers

Apprenticeships must focus on quality, Chief Executive Chris Jones warns

Politicians agree on this one issue

It's great to see cross-party consensus that careers advice must be improved in the UK, says Chief Executive

Support small business to make Britain’s apprenticeships great

At the start of National Apprenticeship Week City & Guilds urge Government to remember the needs of small businesses as they reform the apprenticeship system.

Midlife career change helps carer find her dream job

It may not be easy, but re-training later in life could lead to a happier future

Skills shortages threaten UK’s global competitiveness

Chris Jones, Chief Executive of the City & Guilds Group, warns that skills shortage could cripple UK

Touching the future with Northumbria University

A case study from our Touching the future campaign featuring Northumbria University

Touching the future with University of Derby

A case study from our Touching the future campaign featuring University of Derby

Touching the future with Sheffield Hallam University

A case study from our Touching the future campaign featuring Sheffield Hallam University

Remaking Apprenticeships - powerful learning for work and life

Our latest research from Bill Lucas and Ellen Spencer on the future of apprenticeships.