Institute of Brewing and Distilling unveils financial support scheme

The Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD) has announced a new partnership with the Worshipful Company of Distillers (WCD) to provide scholarships and bursaries to promising, but less advantaged, UK-based students.

The educational programme - funded by the WCD and managed by the IBD - will initially run for three years and will give selected candidates full access to the IBD's technical education resources and further mentoring support from members of the WCD.

The programme comprises:

• One scholarship for the Diploma in Distilling:
  The most significant accolade in the programme, signalling excellence in academic attainment. The awardee will receive funding worth £1,500 to contribute towards additional experience or education to further their career in the industry.
• Two bursaries for the Diploma in Distilling:
  More than £5,000 each for their qualification and access to the tutor-guided learning programme to support exam preparation, with additional mentoring and career support opportunities from WCD experts.
• Two bursaries for the General Certificate in Distilling:
  Each awardee will receive exams and access to expert-led preparation sessions - worth £1,000 - for their qualification, with additional mentoring and career advice from WCD experts.

Jerry Avis, IBD CEO, said: "At the core of this educational programme is our commitment to facilitate access to both world-leading interactive learning material and tutor-guided learning to those distillers who have the passion and ambition but not the resources to acquire the technical knowledge to progress in the industry.

"In a competitive market and in the midst of one of the biggest crises for many years, knowledge and expertise are key differentiators for success."

Jonathan Driver, Master of the WCD, said: "We are delighted to partner with the IBD in helping young people achieve their potential and attain future employment opportunities.

"By offering this powerful new mentoring programme, which is a very big part of our future strategy, we can tap into and share the rich source of skills and knowledge residing in the membership of our Livery company."

5 July 2021 - Bethany Whymark