City & Guilds Employability Framework

Supporting learners to become effective in work, learning and life

Bridging the gap between learning and the world of work

The City & Guilds Employability Framework gives providers a structured approach to helping learners build the transferable skills, behaviours and confidence they need to succeed in the world of work.

The journey from learning to work isn’t always straightforward. A qualification can give learners a strong foundation, but they may still need support to build confidence and develop the skills to navigate workplace situations and expectations.

The gap between learning and work isn’t just about what learners know. It’s about them having the skills and confidence to navigate what comes next. That’s where employability skills come in.

Why employability skills matter more than ever

10%

of today’s 24-year-old NEETs, have never had a job

0m+

16–24-year-olds in the UK are not in education, employment or training (NEET)

£85

billion a year in lost output

Workplaces are rapidly changing across all sectors. Technology, AI and evolving employer expectations are reshaping roles and the skills people need to succeed. Alongside technical knowledge and qualifications, employers increasingly value transferable, human skills – from communication to collaboration and from problem-solving to personal accountability.

That’s why employability skills matter more than ever. Giving learners opportunities to develop these skills, behaviours and confidence can help bridge the gap between learning and work, helping them recognise their strengths, navigate change and build the foundations for success in work, learning and life.

Are you looking to re-engage young people back into learning or employment?

1. Do you support learners who need more than technical skills to succeed in work?

2. Do many of your learners face social, economic or educational barriers to progression?

3. Are you looking for a structured way to improve learner confidence, work readiness and positive destinations?

If you answer yes to any of the above, our Employability Framework can help.

Talk to our team about how the Framework can enable your learners.

Request a discovery call

The City & Guilds Employability Framework

Build the employability skills learners need to succeed in work, learning and life

The City & Guilds Employability Framework gives providers a clear, flexible approach to supporting learners. Designed for diverse learner needs and informed by employer insight, the Employability Framework provides the stepping stones for learners to gain the behaviours, attitudes and skills that underpin long-term employability.

The Employability Framework helps providers to:

Empower learners with skills to thrive in work and life.
Build the foundations for future employability.
Connect learning to real-world employment pathways.
Support learners to move towards employment and progression.

Three stages to support their lifelong learning journey

Designed to be facilitated across any sectors

Series of learning blocks focused on core progression skills

A Digital Credential for each completed learning block

Let's take a closer look

Consisting of three products, the Employability Framework supports individuals throughout their lifelong learning journey. It starts with those who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) Helping to re-engage with learning and overcome barriers to progression.

Each product gives providers a flexible, ready-to-deliver programme a series of standalone learning blocks. Each module focuses on a key employability skill identified by employers and providers. Learners earn a digital credential for each completed module, recognising their progress and evidencing a strong foundation for further learning, training and employment.

Work Aware is the first stage of the City & Guilds Employability Framework, designed to help disengaged learners build self-belief and the foundational skills they need for life, learning and future employment. It takes a supportive, facilitator-led approach, helping learners develop confidence through guided activities, discussion and reflection.

Stage one core learning block package:

Communicating face-to-face

Growth mindset

Communicating digitally and using AI

Self and time management

Collaboration and teamwork

Problem solving and initiative

Work Ready builds on the foundations of Work Aware, contextualised to help learners develop the practical skills and confidence needed to transition from education into employment or return to work after a break. Alongside the core employability skills, Work Ready introduces Valuing Customers, helping learners develop the behaviours needed to understand and respond to customer needs in the workplace.

Coming soon

Work Effective is designed for those in their first job, contextualised to those looking to progress or completing an apprenticeship. It will help them build personal accountability and adapt to workplace expectations as they take their first steps into employment.

Coming soon

More from City & Guilds

Build on the Employability Framework with qualifications and resources designed to support learner progression.

Employability qualifications

Help learners develop essential workplace skills employers value.

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Digital Functional Skills

Help learners build practical digital skills for work and everyday life, giving employers confidence in their ability to use digital tools effectively in real world contexts.

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