Last Updated on 02/03/2026
From its beginnings as a small working party, the Livery Skills Initiative has rapidly grown into a significant force for supporting young people and strengthening skills development across the City. Drawing on the combined expertise of the Livery Companies, Guilds, City & Guilds, the Livery Committee and the City of London Corporation, the Initiative brings centuries of knowledge together to meet today’s labour‑market challenges.
A comprehensive skills survey was issued to all Liveries and Guilds to understand their current skills‑related activity. The response rate was exceptional: 97% of organisations participated. The findings revealed the scale of commitment already in place.
- 76% of Liveries invest more than £10,000 per year in skills development.
- 19% invest over £100,000 annually.
- In total, Livery investment in skills exceeds £7.9 million each year.
- Across the Livery movement, there are more than 3,562 strong and regular links with business, reinforcing deep connections between training and industry need.
These findings were shared at a major virtual event attended by 165 representatives from 93 Liveries and Guilds. The Lord Mayor welcomed attendees and emphasised the importance of coordinated action to expand skills opportunities for young people. Discussions highlighted current needs, funding pathways, existing programmes, and recommendations for future collaborative work. The collective enthusiasm and determination shown during the event demonstrated the sector’s readiness to accelerate progress.
Next Steps for the Initiative
The event helped establish a shared set of priorities, including:
- Acting with urgency to strengthen skills provision.
- Developing a joined‑up, holistic information exchange to improve awareness of training pathways and enhance access to key influencers, particularly in government.
- Co‑ordinating member efforts to expand access to funding and employment opportunities.
- Encouraging the formation of new industry clusters designed to reflect emerging post‑pandemic economic opportunities.
- Embedding a culture of lifelong learning across all Livery Companies, with a strong focus on young people and those currently unemployed.
Documents relating to the Survey and Event –
Further links:
Consultation on new flexible apprenticeships[/vc_column_text]
