WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust and The Worshipful Company of Distillers (WCD) are pleased to announce that applications are open for their 2025 bursaries, in partnership with The Drinks Trust.
WSET works closely with WCD on several key areas to support its vocational development and education programme, including scholarships and bursaries.
Their joint bursary scheme offers funding and other practical support to individuals facing financial barriers, helping them to sustain a long-term career in the drinks industry. Successful bursary candidates are given the opportunity to complete WSET qualifications in spirits and also offered a place on WCD’s mentoring programme.
Last year WCD and WSET supported 25 individuals facing financial barriers, enabling them to take WSET spirits courses. WCD funded 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 WCD 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 WCD 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”.
In addition to bursaries, WCD also currently sponsors two prizes at WSET’s annual graduation and prize ceremony, both are for students who have taken its Level 3 Award in Spirits courses.
Michelle Brampton, CEO of WSET said: “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.”
Nick Carr, the Master of The Worshipful Company of Distillers, added: “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.
WSET and WCD are keen to hear from those interested in applying for a bursary this year.
For those who are seeking to apply, or those looking to support the educational development of individuals in the spirits sector, please contact wsetbursary@drinkstrust.org.uk.
More information about the partnership is available here on WSET’s website.
