Thousands of pounds worth of grant funding available to help craftspeople become masters of their craft at a Warwickshire college group

Talented craftspeople could access thousands of pounds worth of funding to become masters of their craft at a Warwickshire college group.

The Queens Elizabeth Trust (QEST) is offering scholarship and apprenticeship funding of up to £18,000 to support excellence in British craftsmanship and the development of aspiring craftspeople.

WCG (formerly Warwickshire College Group) is urging individuals across Warwickshire to apply for the grants and then get in touch to take a course at one of its colleges.

Businesses can also apply for the grants to allow them to bring a new apprentice on board and give a student the chance to train with a master craftsperson.

QEST Apprenticeships offer salary support for craftspeople who have secured an apprenticeship to train with a master craftsperson but need financial support to make that training work.

QEST has a broad definition of ‘craft’ and includes courses like furniture making, 3D design, farriery, textiles, ceramics and jewellery design – all of which are available at WCG colleges in Warwickshire.

The latest application round opened in January and will run until Monday, February 15.

Applicants will need to show they are already cultivating these skills and the grant funding will enable them to take the next step in their development.

Peter Husband, chief operating officer and group principal for WCG, said: “This is an incredible opportunity for any budding craftspeople out there and will provide them with the platform to really take their skills to the next level.

“We are proud to be supporting the QEST on this initiative and it links perfectly with our commitment to developing new skilled individuals in the regions that we operate in.

“From farriery to furniture making, we offer a range of craft based courses on a full-time and part-time basis.

"This grant funding will help people to access these courses who otherwise may not have been able to.

“We offer a range of courses in relevant areas at our Moreton Morrell College and Royal Leamington Spa College sites.

“We would urge any talented craftspeople to apply for the grants and check our website to see how our colleges can help to further develop their craft.”

QEST celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2020 and since 1990 has awarded nearly £5 million to 600 individuals working in more than 130 different crafts.

To find out more about craft courses at WCG go to: www.wcg.ac.uk/studyFor more details on how to apply for grants through The Queens Elizabeth Trust go to: www.qest.org.uk