The City & Guilds Group

What The City & Guilds Group does

The City & Guilds Group is a London-headquartered vocational education and awarding organisation, founded in 1878 and operating under UK private limited company structure (City & Guilds Limited, registered company 16513878). It functions as an Ofqual-recognised Awarding Organisation and member of the Joint Council for Qualifications, delivering over 500 qualifications and apprenticeships across 20+ industries and 28+ global industries, supported by more than 1,400 programmes of study. The organisation serves four primary customer segments: education providers and training centres (which deliver qualifications through the approved centre network), employers (which consume workforce development, apprenticeship, and Assured validation services), governments and national skills bodies (which contract for national skills systems), and individual learners.

The group's core product is its qualification and apprenticeship portfolio, monetised through registration, assessment, and certification fees to centres, plus end-point assessment fees for apprenticeships priced against apprenticeship funding bands (£1,500 to £27,000 upper limits) and EPAO service charges. Complementary revenue streams include the Assured validation and quality assurance service for employer-developed training (with annual renewals and dual-branded digital credentials), skills consultancy and bespoke training programmes, and qualifications funded through government channels including the Apprenticeship Service, Adult Education Budget, 19+ Advanced Learner Loans, and 16-18 study programme funding. The Assured service is sold directly to enterprises such as British Airways, Network Rail, Costa Coffee, E.ON Next, Nationwide, Veolia, and Papa Johns.

Delivery is enabled by an integrated suite of proprietary digital platforms: Walled Garden (centre administration), Proficient (end-point assessment management), E-volve (online invigilated assessment with Talview-powered remote invigilation), Learning Assistant (e-portfolio integrated via LA Connect), SmartScreen (e-learning content), Open Assess and e-Functional Skills (Functional Skills practice), the Moderation Portal, and EDI for Management Information System data exchange. Distribution is via a global network of over 10,000 approved centres, dedicated regional teams across Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas, Greater China, ASEAN, Europe, India, the Middle East, the Pacific, and South Asia, plus subsidiary brands (ILM, Gen2, Intertrain, The Oxford Group, Trade Skills 4U). The group serves nearly 2 million individuals annually and reports 99% employer brand recognition.

Name

The City & Guilds Group

Legal name

City & Guilds Limited

Website

https://cityandguilds.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1878

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The City & Guilds Group is a 1878-founded UK vocational awarding organisation delivering 500+ qualifications and apprenticeships across 20+ industries to training centres, employers, governments, and learners via proprietary digital platforms and a global network of 10,000+ approved centres.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Qualification and Certificate Fees: City & Guilds charges centres and learners fees for qualification registrations, assessments, and certifications. Centre charges are detailed in an annual published document. Candidate fees cover registration, assessments, and certification across vocational qualifications and apprenticeships.
2. End-Point Assessment (EPA) Fees: City & Guilds charges for end-point assessment services as an EPA Organisation (EPAO). Pricing is matched to funding points with a small registration fee upfront and the remaining balance due after EPA completion.
3. Assured Validation and Quality Assurance: Employers with internally developed training programmes can have them validated and quality assured by City & Guilds through the Assured service. Leadership and management programmes are assured by ILM, part of City & Guilds. The service includes annual renewal and digital credential issuance.
4. Skills Consultancy and Training Support: Bespoke skills consultancy services for employers including training quality assurance, workforce development strategy, and support for measuring ROI on training investments.
5. 19+ Advanced Learner Loans: Qualifications at level 3 to level 6 funded through 19+ Advanced Learner Loans for learners over 19, including certificates, diplomas, A and AS Levels, and Tech Levels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The City & Guilds Group is a vocational awarding organisation that develops, certifies, and assesses more than 500 qualifications and 1,400 programmes of study across 20+ industries, together with apprenticeships, T Levels, and end-point assessment services. It validates employer-developed training through the Assured quality assurance programme and runs a proprietary digital platform suite (Walled Garden, Proficient, E-volve, SmartScreen, Learning Assistant, Open Assess) that supports centres, employers and learners across the full qualification, assessment and certification lifecycle.

Product overview

City & Guilds operates as a vocational education and training organisation offering a comprehensive platform-plus-services model. The core offering includes over 500 qualifications and apprenticeships across 20+ industries, supported by an integrated digital ecosystem. The main technology platforms are: Walled Garden (centre administration), SmartScreen (e-learning resources), Learning Assistant (e-portfolio), E-volve (online assessment), Proficient (EPA management), and Open Assess/e-Functional Skills (test preparation). Supporting services include Assured (training validation), Skills Review (workforce consulting), EPA Service (endpoint assessment), and EDI (data exchange). The company serves providers, employers, governments, and learners across more than 28 industries in over 100 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ILM (Institute of Leadership & Management): Leadership and management qualifications and training programmes; part of City & Guilds offering professional development for individuals and organizations.
• Assured
• Walled Garden
• SmartScreen
• E-volve
• Learning Assistant
• Proficient
• Digital Credentials
• Open Assess
• e-Functional Skills

Products and services

• Walled Garden Secure online administration platform for vocational qualifications and apprenticeships, used by approved centres to view the qualifications catalogue, place candidate registration orders, book on-demand/online/paper exams, view centre activity reports, and apply to deliver new qualifications and apprenticeship standards.
• SmartScreen E-learning platform providing on-demand teaching and learning resources for tutors and learners, including schemes of work, lesson plans, activity sheets, sample questions and exam preparation materials, plus enhanced interactive e-learning experiences and classroom games.
• Learning Assistant E-portfolio platform that enables tutors and assessors to easily track learner performance, identify gaps, action plan and communicate feedback online, creating an engaging virtual learning experience and integrating with Walled Garden and E-volve via LA Connect.
• E-volve Online assessment platform that enables learners to sit assessments securely and flexibly under invigilated conditions, including E-volve Secure Assess (admin), E-volve Secure Client (test delivery), Centre Analytics (reporting), and remote invigilation via the third-party Talview integration.
• Proficient (EPA Pro) End-to-end apprenticeship assessment platform that supports viewing of assessment calendars, monitoring progress, accessing gateway requirements, uploading assessment evidence, viewing results and statements of achievement, accessing apprenticeship and EPA support resources, and booking resits.
• Assured Training validation and quality assurance service for employers' internally developed training programmes, benchmarked against the Assured Benchmark Standards (including a sixth standard for leadership and management), with annual renewal and dual-branded digital credentials issued to learners.
• End-Point Assessment Service Independent end-point assessment service for apprenticeships, operated by City & Guilds as an End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO), verifying that apprentices have gained the required skills, knowledge and behaviours with support resources and booking through the Proficient platform.
• Open Assess Platform that helps learners prepare for online Functional Skills tests by replicating a live test environment for practice, enabling teachers to review and mark test results, provide feedback and assess learner readiness.
• e-Functional Skills Interactive digital learning platform for Functional Skills qualifications in maths and English, providing initial assessments, diagnostics, teaching resources and exam preparation support through the Hodder platform.
• Remote Invigilation Service Service enabling remote proctoring of E-volve online assessments using Talview, provided to centres and learners with limited access to on-site testing rooms or needing flexible scheduling.
• Skills Review Free workforce development assessment service for employers conducted by City & Guilds Skills Specialists, providing tailored recommendations and advice on L&D strategy and training needs.
• Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Electronic data interchange system enabling approved centres to submit candidate registrations, exam entries and results from their Management Information System (MIS) electronically via the Walled Garden platform.
• Moderation Portal Platform enabling moderation of centre assessments by City & Guilds moderators to ensure accurate marking or grading against national standards.
• Level 4 AI & Automation Practitioner Apprenticeship Level 4 apprenticeship standard for AI & Automation Practitioners within City & Guilds' occupational digital apprenticeship standards portfolio.
• Qualifications and Apprenticeships Portfolio Portfolio of more than 500 qualifications across 20+ industries and sectors, including vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, T Levels, Functional Skills and technical qualifications designed around employer needs for job-ready skills.
• Centre Document Library Resource and document repository for approved centres, containing practical guidance, policies, procedures, forms and resources to support running City & Guilds qualifications, including centre approval, malpractice handling and exam administration.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% employer recognition of the City & Guilds brand
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• British AirwaysflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBritish Airways uses the City & Guilds Assured programme to validate and quality assure their internally developed leadership and talent development training programmes. City & Guilds provides the Assured Benchmark Standards, expert review, and digital credential issuance, enabling British Airways to demonstrate best-in-class training delivery globally across the organisation.
• Network RailflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork Rail uses the Assured programme to validate and quality assure their internally developed training. City & Guilds supported Network Rail in recruiting 1,000 colleagues to their internal customer service training programme, demonstrating the scalability of validated training across the organisation.
• Your Housing GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYour Housing Group partners with City & Guilds through the Assured programme to strengthen leadership capability and improve organisational productivity and performance through validated internal training.
• WorldchefscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorldchefs partnered with City & Guilds to map out career progression in the culinary industry by creating an innovative skills framework tailored to the hospitality sector.
• Costa CoffeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCosta Coffee has their internally developed training validated and quality assured through the City & Guilds Assured programme, receiving dual-branded digital credentials recognising employee achievements.
• E.ON NextcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerE.ON Next has their internally developed training validated and quality assured through the City & Guilds Assured programme, receiving dual-branded digital credentials recognising employee achievements.
• Nationwide Building SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationwide has their internally developed training validated and quality assured through the City & Guilds Assured programme, receiving dual-branded digital credentials recognising employee achievements.
• Papa JohnscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPapa Johns has their internally developed training validated and quality assured through the City & Guilds Assured programme, receiving dual-branded digital credentials recognising employee achievements.
• VeoliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeolia has their internally developed training validated and quality assured through the City & Guilds Assured programme, receiving dual-branded digital credentials recognising employee achievements.
• Vivid HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVivid Housing has their internally developed training validated and quality assured through the City & Guilds Assured programme, receiving dual-branded digital credentials recognising employee achievements.
• PilzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPilz has their internally developed training validated and quality assured through the City & Guilds Assured programme, receiving dual-branded digital credentials recognising employee achievements.
• NovunacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNovuna has their internally developed training validated and quality assured through the City & Guilds Assured programme, receiving dual-branded digital credentials recognising employee achievements.
• ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerILM is a part of City & Guilds Group and handles assurance of leadership and management programmes under the Assured service. ILM also distributes leadership and management qualifications and apprenticeships under the City & Guilds Group umbrella.
• Gen2coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGen2 is a subsidiary brand of City & Guilds Group operating in the vocational training sector, distributing City & Guilds qualifications and apprenticeships.
• IntertraincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIntertrain is a subsidiary brand of City & Guilds Group operating in the vocational training sector, distributing City & Guilds qualifications and apprenticeships.
• The Oxford GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Oxford Group is a subsidiary brand of City & Guilds Group operating in the vocational training sector, distributing City & Guilds qualifications and apprenticeships.
• Trade Skills 4UcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTrade Skills 4U (CG Training) is a subsidiary brand of City & Guilds Group operating in the vocational training sector, distributing City & Guilds qualifications and apprenticeships.
• PfP ThrivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPfP Thrive partnered with City & Guilds through skills consultancy services to tackle skills shortages in the housing sector by becoming a training provider.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Skillsoft: Skillsoft is a global corporate digital learning provider offering enterprise workforce development, compliance training, and credentialing. Comparable in the enterprise L&D segment where City & Guilds' Assured service competes for employer training budgets.
• Open University: Open University is a UK higher education institution offering vocational and professional qualifications, apprenticeships, and workplace training. Broader incumbent offering academic and vocational programmes that partially overlap with City & Guilds' employer-facing offerings.
• Kaplan (Kaplan International): Kaplan is a global education and training provider offering professional qualifications, apprenticeships, and vocational training. Comparable in employer-focused skills development and assessment, though broader than City & Guilds' awarding body focus.

Direct peers

• Pearson: Pearson is the largest UK/global awarding body and direct competitor through Edexcel qualifications, BTECs, and apprenticeship end-point assessment. Both organisations serve education providers, employers, and governments with vocational qualifications and assessment services across overlapping sectors.
• NCFE: NCFE is a UK awarding body and vocational qualifications charity offering technical qualifications, apprenticeships, and end-point assessment. Direct competitor in the UK vocational education market, particularly for FE colleges and training providers.
• Highfield Qualifications: Highfield is a UK awarding body offering vocational qualifications, end-point assessment, and compliance training. Direct competitor in apprenticeship EPA and regulated qualifications, particularly in sectors like retail, security, and first aid.
• AQA: AQA is a major UK awarding organisation offering vocational and technical qualifications alongside academic GCSEs/A-Levels. Competes with City & Guilds in vocational qualifications and increasingly in apprenticeship assessment.

Others

• Ofqual (UK regulator): Ofqual is the UK qualifications regulator that grants City & Guilds its recognition status. As the regulatory counterpart, Ofqual's policy decisions on qualification approval, funding bands, and apprenticeship standards directly shape City & Guilds' operating environment.
• Worldchefs (collaborator): Worldchefs partnered with City & Guilds to create a culinary skills framework. Sectoral employer body/enabler that co-develops occupational standards—representative of the wider employer/industry relationships C&G cultivates to build qualifications.

Regional players

• SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority): SQA is Scotland's national awarding body, providing qualifications and accreditation across Scottish vocational education. Regional competitor to City & Guilds in Scotland where both serve training providers and apprentices.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cityguildsgroup
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC7XBw8Jmwc0YpS6Q0F9Hdkg
• Facebookfacebook.com/City-Guilds-Group-642128272596690
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/city-and-guilds
• Instagraminstagram.com/cityandguilds/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A9 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The City & Guilds Group