The current education and employment systems mean that not everyone fits in or can engage, use and develop their talents fully. Whether it's diversity of race, gender, socio-economic status, or diversity of thinking and acting, each perspective is invaluable in creating barrier solutions and generating better ideas. And that is why we have created the Neurodiversity Index; as a benchmark for organisations to be able to create a more inclusive workplace for all.
Kirstie Donnelly MBE | Chief Executive Officer
Removing barriers and creating inclusive cultures
At the City & Guilds Foundation we want to champion and advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, so that everyone has the opportunity to access training and meaningful employment, regardless of background or challenges they face.
Foundation Collective: the easy way to collaborate
Our network has been designed to bring together all those individuals and organisations that share our belief in the transformative potential of skills development. Meet like-minded people and connect with others committed to making change happen.
As an organisation all about supporting skills development across a range of employment sectors, City & Guilds wants to put the experiences of individuals at the heart of decision-making, so we’re creating a team of six vocational learners to advise our Board of Trustees.
The commitment of some of the UK’s most influential and progressive companies to get people in prison into work on release is playing a pivotal role in reducing reoffending.
Partnering with grassroots charities to support refugees
We are very pleased to have allocated £150K of funding to four fantastic charities helping to meet the critical needs of the refugee community in the UK.
We’re celebrating the rollout of carbon literacy training for all C&G staff to understand how they can help mitigate the effects of climate change within our industry and community.
See an update on our strategic partnership to support learners at risk of dropping out of education overcome barriers and find positive ways to gain skills and enduring work.
We ran a session on Young Carers Action Day all about exploring the specific challenges young carers face, an how they can be better supported into employment.
Our funding has supported Breakthrough with running one of its pre-apprenticeship programmes with individuals who have a lived experience of the justice system.
Our new research has found that employers are currently failing to support neurodivergent employees, and there is a lack of training available and awareness in most workplaces. In partnership with Do-IT Solutions, we have created the Neurodiversity Index Report with the aim of encouraging and highlighting best practice for enabling everyone to be successful in the workplace.
Jen Warner speaks with Professor Amanda Kirby from Do-IT Solutions about the importance of the survey, highlighting some of the key findings to come out of this vital research and our recently released report.
We want to help everyone raise awareness of inclusion and diversity in the workplace. We are giving you the opportunity to make a pledge to building equity, claim a digital credential and share with your networks.
I’m delighted that the Foundation and Do-IT Solutions were able to undertake this important research. It has highlighted that neurodivergent employees still don’t get the right support in the workplace. I hope our Neurodiversity Index will support many organisations on their quest to become more inclusive.
Jennifer Warner | Relationships & Communities Manager
Bursaries: funding for training
We know that for some people the cost of training can be a huge barrier to accessing the skills needed for jobs and career progression. Research shows that without the support of funding, those hardest to reach will find it harder to progress in a labour market which favours those already in higher-paying work.
Do you know or work with someone who would be eligible for a City & Guilds bursary? Our next round opens for applications in Summer 2023.
Heritage Crafts Awards 2023 now open for applications
Applications are now open with six brand new awards for 2023, celebrating and highlighting the traditional living crafts that contribute to British heritage.
Applications are open until 11 April 2023 for six bursaries and awards for talented craftspeople in London, giving the space and time to develop your business.