The Worshipful Company of Distillers works closely with a number of educational bodies including the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust (WSET) to provide bursaries and awards to enable students to not only study but also continue their studies beyond the courses taught.
Further to financial assistance, those awarded bursaries are offered a place on the livery’s mentorship program, matching them up with liverymen to offer advice and support as they develop their careers in the drinks industry.
We are very pleased to announce the applications for 2025 bursaries for WSET courses are now open, in partnership with The Drinks Trust. Details of how to apply are available on the WSET website.
Last year, the livery supported 25 individuals facing financial barriers, enabling them to take WSET spirits courses. This consisted of funding for eighteen places for the WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits and seven places for the WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits. All the bursaries are administered for WSET and the livery by The Drinks Trust’s DEVELOP programme, the charity’s education and training one-stop-shop for industry individuals looking to upskill and further their career prospects.
Chris is among those who benefited from the bursary scheme and was supported by the Distillers’ fund. He said:
“I completed my WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits at the beginning of 2024 through WCD X DEVELOP funding. My ambition was to eventually go on and start my journey as an educator in spirits and given my final grade was Distinction, I’m thrilled I have since begun that journey.
“I live in Cornwall where there is a lack of opportunity if you want to get into spirits training and so the WCD X DEVELOP funding has enabled this to happen by covering the cost of the course itself”.
Another bursary recipient, Daniel from Bath, whose course starts this month (January), said:
“I wouldn’t have been able to do the WSET course without funding, as you have to spend time away from work to take the course and it wouldn’t be feasible to take on the cost of the course, as well as missing out on earning potential.
“With WCD X DEVELOP funding, I’ve been able to alleviate some of the burden of self-funding and begin to pursue my formal education in spirits. The course funding was introduced to me by the educators at Independent Spirit in Bath – through them I have learned a great deal and continue to train with them”.
Timothy Powers receives his Distillers’ prize from Immediate Past Master Lorne Mackillop and Vocational Training and Education Committee chair Chris Pitcher
In addition to bursaries, the livery also sponsors two prizes at WSET’s annual graduation and prize ceremony, giving students who have taken its Level 3 Award in Spirits courses funding to continue study into their areas of interest.
Through our partnership with The Worshipful Company of Distillers, we’ve widened access to drinks education and enabled more students to take WSET’s spirits qualifications. This initiative provides life-changing learning opportunities for individuals who wouldn’t otherwise be able to access our courses and the opportunities they create for their careers.
Michelle Brampton, CEO of WSET
One of our principal objectives is to support spirits education and vocational training across our industry. Every year, through our longstanding partnership with the WSET, we are proud to offer students, who might not otherwise have the means, the opportunity to advance their understanding and appreciation of distilled spirits. WSET, in coordination with The Drinks Trust’s DEVELOP Programme, provides an integral part of our charitable endeavours, helping educate and inspire the next generation within our vibrant industry.
Nick Carr, Master of The Worshipful Company of Distillers
Mentorship
Through our work with the WSET, as well as other educational bodies and within the livery, our mentorship scheme continues to grow. We currently have 56 mentors enrolled in the scheme and have added nine mentees over the past 12 months.
With our work with the bodies such as the WSET continuing, we are always looking for new volunteers to join the scheme. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact Clive Bairsto (clive.bairsto@distillers.org.uk) for more information and to apply.
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