City & Guilds

The new Post-16 qualification reforms — what makes them so different from previous changes?🎥👇

Whether you are a training provider, FE college, or employer, these reforms will impact the way we deliver skills across the UK.

In this clip, Bryony Kingsland, Funding and Policy Lead at City & Guilds, breaks down what makes these reforms fundamentally different from those that came before.

As the sector prepares for these changes, City & Guilds is here to support you every step of the way. We’ve created a dedicated resource hub on our website.

Inside, you’ll find:

📌 Key policy updates breaking down what you need to know

📋 Clear guidance on qualification changes

🛠️ New products in active development

📅 Upcoming events and support sessions

👉 Explore our dedicated hub today: https://www.cityandguilds.com/qualifications-and-apprenticeships/qualifications-reforms-in-england

How well does the public know the post-16 education options?

In the first of our new series testing public awareness of education, we took to the streets to see if people know their T Levels from their V Levels or understand the various successful routes into employment.

Our first stop? The recent Festival of Education.🎪

Watch to discover how well the public did and test your own knowledge against their answers.

Stay tuned for more.👀

England never really stops.

Except for this.

Good luck, England! 🦁⚽

"I felt so bad, I didn't understand how to build my future... Now I am doing excellent... I feel more confident and ready for my career path." – Viktoriia🌟

This , we are shining a light on the vital importance of employability skills in helping individuals unlock their potential and thrive in the workforce.

For our latest , we are incredibly proud to share Viktoriia’s journey. After arriving in the UK from Ukraine, Viktoriia faced the daunting challenge of rebuilding her future.

Through the fantastic support of The Launchpad Collective, she gained the essential tools to turn her ambitions into reality. Now studying Medical Science at Eastbourne College, Viktoriia’s story is a powerful reminder of how the right support and skills can truly open doors.🚪

wearetlc

This , we are celebrating the incredible potential of the next generation. 🚀

Through our sponsorship of the NCG Guarantee initiative, we support a learner-centred approach that embeds employability, enterprise, and digital skills into the learning journey. With over 11,000 students already benefiting from initiatives like Loud Speaker public speaking workshops in the first year alone, it is proving to be a game-changer for preparing young people entering the competitive job market.

But don’t just take our word for it. Here is what one inspiring learner had to say about their experience:

"I feel so much better being here just 'cause I feel like my confidence is skyrocketed... now I feel like I can really come out my shell." – Charlotte, NCG Learner.

📽️ Check out the personal experiences shared by learners going through the programme.
🔗 Click the link to discover more: https://www.cityandguilds.com/news/december-2025/ncg-building-confidence-skills-and-career-opportunities-for-young-people

Newcastle College Group

"Listen to young people, colleges and schools about what is needed."📣

Where will vocational and technical education be in 10 years' time? In our upcoming podcast, James Kewin (Sixth Form Colleges Association), Anthony Impey MBE (Be the Business / Skills England) and host Jo Fowler (City & Guilds) map out the future.

James issues a powerful challenge for the next decade: first, truly listen to the frontline of education - then, stop the constant chopping and changing and give the sector the same long-term consistency A-levels have enjoyed since the 1950s.

We're bringing this vital debate live to the Festival of Education (2–3 July) at Wellington College. Don't miss it:

🎓 Navigating Post-16 Qualification Reform
🗓️ Friday 3 July, 09:30–10:15

Joining the festival?
1️⃣Catch our sessions: four panels across two days covering Gen Z workplace trends, the Milburn Review, and social mobility.
2️⃣ Visit our stand to meet the team, grab resources, and share your thoughts on the future of skills.

Plan your agenda via the EducationScape Events App, see you at our stand B19!📲🎪

From a trade show dreamer to styling the stars!✂️✨

In this latest , celebrity hairstylist Lewis Samson shares how training for his trade completely transformed his life.

Starting out at just 17 with Bournemouth and Poole College, Lewis fell hard for the industry after attending his first trade show. Fast forward 12 years, and he’s gone from working in a Manchester blow-dry bar to building an incredible celebrity clientele—starting with Love Islanders and TV presenters, and sn*******ng all the way to global stars! For Lewis, the best part about his credentials is that they gave him a passport to work anywhere in the world. 🌍✈️

Lewis’s advice: "It's a massive thing because with our industry, anywhere in the world we can do this. It's a skill that you'll have forever."

"With all my skills combined, my work now has a purpose." 🌍
For Biljana, a career pivot into the green sector started with a desire to make a real-world difference.

This , Biljana’s proves that combining existing talents with green skills is the key to driving true environmental change.

With a background in graphic design and digital marketing, Biljana's journey into sustainability began through volunteering. To turn her passion into a career, she upskilled with City & Guilds through vital support from Greenworks academy and National Energy Action (NEA)—mastering home energy efficiency, retrofit measures, and fuel poverty solutions.

"I wanted my work to actually mean something... I can now have a direct impact on improving my community's wellbeing and contributing to the UK achieving net zero."

We thank Biljana for sharing her inspiring story. Stay tuned for more stories in our series!

Skills: The Heart of Apprenticeships

As so many eyes focus on construction this week, you may recall that South Staffordshire College took home the People's Choice Award during our Showcase Challenge! 🏆

Today, we are highlighting a terrific entry from a different team. This impressive submission caught the eye of one of our judges, Jason Howe.

Watch this video from Owen Bradley, a Level 2 Bricklaying Apprentice, who describes the intricate work his team undertook. Using traditional bricks and tools, they demonstrated the skill and precision required to create a professional cavity wall. 🧱

👉 Check out the other entries via the link below: https://ow.ly/Oru350YXMRE