Heritage Crafts is the national charity dedicated to traditional heritage crafts. In partnership with the government and key agencies, they serve as a focal point for craftspeople, groups, societies, guilds, and individuals concerned about the decline of traditional craft skills. These training bursaries are aimed at new entrants and early-career craftspeople facing financial hardship. They are sponsored by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, Capri Holdings Foundation, City & Guilds Foundation, Army Benevolent Fund, Royal British Legion, Ashley Family Foundation, Sussex Heritage Trust, and Malcolm and Rosalind Gammie. These bursaries are part of a broader range of awards and grants offered by Heritage Crafts to support and celebrate heritage craftspeople.
Bursaries are for:
- · New entrants who have demonstrated a commitment to starting a new craft career and need to acquire the necessary hand skills;
- · Early-career practitioners who have not yet attained the hand skills required to achieve commercial success; or
- · Early-or mid-career craftspeople who need to acquire distinctly different hand skills to develop new ways of achieving commercial success.
At the Fashion Technology Academy, we have 3 students that have qualified for the bursary from the Heritage Fund and are currently on the course.
One learner, Zakara Akhonza, received a bursary to do the pattern and tailoring courses, and she is delighted to be on the course. She said:
“I enjoy every lesson at the FTA. I love being here! I would like to work as a seamstress and make clothes at home. I’m delighted to receive the bursary. I was a student at the FTA in 2024 and was sent an email explaining the bursary after I finished the course. My daughter applied for me and was thrilled when I got selected. The whole process was straightforward, and I recommend anyone who would like to apply to go ahead.”