New data from City & Guilds, the global skills organisation, has found that learners from Wales stood out in terms of career progression after completing its qualifications.
City & Guilds recently released its 2024 Impact Report, which demonstrates the organisation’s impact on individuals, organisations, and wider society through skills development over the last year – tackling both existing and emerging challenges in the UK.
More than 1.6 million people have completed a City & Guilds course in 2024, and the organisation’s latest data details its contribution to society in social and economic returns, totalling £15.3 billion.
To better understand its impact on learners, the skills organisation undertook in-depth research to understand the impact that its qualifications have on learners’ progression.
Its survey revealed that its learners outperformed those using other providers – with 76% of City & Guilds learners in employment six months later, compared to 67% of individuals using other providers.
When analysed by region, the organisation’s research revealed that City & Guilds’ learners from Wales led the way – with an achievement rate significantly higher (+10%) in terms of skills development and career progression.
In Swansea, City & Guilds have partnered with Gower College and awarded Critical Transition grants to support learners at risk of dropping out of education, helping young people to overcome barriers and find positive ways to gain skills and find sustainable work. Its 2024 Impact report revealed that the skills organisation has now supported 532 young people through its partnership with Gower College – all of whom reported increased confidence and knowledge, and as a result had continued their education.
Kirstie Donnelly MBE, CEO of City & Guilds, said:
Photo by Ian Jones
“It is great that City & Guilds courses, qualifications and assessments are significantly impacting upon job outcomes and prospects at scale. This report shows that 76% of City & Guilds learners have progressed into further education or work. And with access to new insights directly from our learners, we can see that they are more confident, with greater employment prospects and looking forward to brighter futures.
“Through understanding where our learners go next, we are better able to recognise the difference being made and spread our impact even further to more learners – no matter who they are, where they come from, or what they have been through – to gain the skills, qualifications and opportunities to get into and progress into meaningful work – and play our part to help individuals and businesses thrive.
“In particular, I am proud that we are continuing to create opportunities for some of the most disadvantaged people, helping them to reach their career goals, integrate and contribute to our society and economy. This is further testament to the fact that skills really can change lives.”
