FTA Students Awarded Heritage Crafts Training Bursary

The Heritage Crafts charity stands at the heart of preserving and promoting traditional craft skills in the UK. It brings together craftspeople, guilds, societies, and individuals across the heritage crafts sector, acting as a focal point in partnership with government and key organisations.

The Training Bursary programme is designed to help open up access to craft-training for those facing financial barriers. In recognition that many people are discouraged from entering heritage crafts because of cost, the bursaries aim to support a more diverse and inclusive sector.

Generously backed by funders including 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 the Malcolm & Rosalind Gammie Fund, these bursaries form part of a broader suite of awards that celebrate and sustain heritage craftsmanship. 

Who they’re for:

• New entrants committed to launching a craft-career who need to build up essential hand skills.
• Early-career practitioners who haven’t yet developed the hand-skills needed to reach commercial viability.
• Early – or mid-career craftspeople seeking to acquire distinctly different hand-skills in order to develop new modes of commercial success. 

What the bursary can cover:
Applicants may apply for up to £4,000 to support or contribute towards costs such as:

• Apprenticeship-style training with an experienced craftsperson or team.
• Attendance at specialist training courses (accredited or non-accredited).
• A self-directed programme of training with one or more craftspeople.
• Specialist tools/materials, study materials/books, and travel/accommodation (note: travel/accommodation must not exceed 30% of total budget).
  Note: These bursaries do not cover general living expenses, research or promotional activities. 

At the Fashion Technology Academy, three students have been awarded Heritage Training bursaries and are currently enrolled in their training programme. One recipient, Zakara Akhonza, received funding to study Pattern & Tailoring and commented:

“I enjoy every lesson at the FTA – I love being here! My goal is to work as a seamstress and make clothes from home. I’m so grateful to have received this bursary. I studied at the FTA in 2024 and learned about the bursary through an email after completing my course. My daughter helped me apply, and we were both thrilled when I was selected. The whole process was straightforward, and I’d definitely encourage anyone thinking of applying to go for it.”

A spokesperson for the FTA added: “At the FTA, we believe that heritage craft skills form the foundation of the modern fashion and textile industry. Techniques such as pattern cutting, tailoring, and hand finishing are not only part of Britain’s rich cultural heritage but also essential to producing high-quality, sustainable garments today. By keeping these traditional methods alive, we ensure that future generations of makers can combine craftsmanship with innovation, supporting a more ethical and skilled fashion economy. We’re proud to partner with Heritage Crafts to help students like Zakara build meaningful careers rooted in skill, creativity, and respect for the craft.”