About us
Championing social mobility through further education and skills
Championing social mobility through further education and skills
Created in 2019, the Skills and Education Group Foundation champions social mobility by supporting learners and further education and skills providers through grants, advocacy and recognition. A part of the Skills and Education Group family, the Foundation contributes to fair access to education and skills training to build a stronger workforce and society for all.
Our mission
The advancement of skills and education to improve the lives of individuals
Our story
Accelerating social mobility
Skills and Education Group draws on more than 100 years of experience in the further education and skills sector. Day in and day out, the stories of our member organisations, learners, teachers and support staff show us the huge positive impact of further education on individuals, communities and organisations.
In 2019, we created the Skills and Education Group Foundation to expand and accelerate this impact by financially supporting learners and further education and skills providers in achieving positive, lasting change.
Our goal
A better life for everyone
Everyone deserves a fair shot in life. It’s that simple. But not everyone has an equal opportunity to learn, build skills, and advance socially and economically. We’re working to change this by championing and supporting social mobility through the broader further education and skills sector.
Our activities
Turning ideas into action
Representation
We speak up to raise the profile of social mobility.
As a national organisation, we are well-positioned to raise the profile of the positive impact of further education on social mobility. We ensure that the interests of the further education and skills sector are represented at key national forums and in Parliament, developing key relationships and promoting the continuation of research into the impact of further education on social mobility.
Funding
We provide grants to learners, colleges, staff and training providers operating in the further education and skills sector.
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Funding
We provide grants to learners, further skills and education staff, and providers.
The Foundation provides direct funding through the following:
- Learner Grants Group Experience
- Tom Hamilton-Dick Bursary
- Learning Environment Improvement Grant
Knowledge sharing
We engage in and support project-based activities and research.
To raise awareness of the work of further education and skills providers, we develop publications that highlight and celebrate the role of further education in driving social mobility and the invaluable impact of the sector on individuals, businesses and communities.
Recognition
We celebrate organisations, staff and learners for their work in improving social mobility.
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Recognition
We celebrate organisations, staff and learners for their work in improving social mobility.
We hold an annual parliamentary reception to celebrate the achievements of our member organisations, their staff and their learners.
In addition, we sponsor other initiatives relating to learning and social mobility, including:
Partnership opportunities
We aim to work with the corporate sector to create greater opportunity for employers and the workforce.
If you’d like to support the further education and skills sector, you can contribute to our Foundation as a corporate partner. Find out more by contacting us here.
Want to know more?
Our team is here to support you, whether you have questions about the Foundation, need assistance with application or have media enquiries. Contact us.
Foundation Working Group
Gill Clipson, MBE
Trustee
Scott Forbes
Acting Chief Executive
Yultan Mellor
Trustee
Janet Smith
Trustee
Atholl Stott
Chair
Audrey Traynor
Trustee