The Drinks Trust Reopens WSET Bursary Through DEVELOP Programme

The Drinks Trust are delighted to announce the reopening of the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Bursary as part of the DEVELOP programme, reaffirming the commitment to supporting professional development and equal upskilling opportunity across the drinks industry.

Now in its third year, DEVELOP provides fully funded training and educational courses to individuals currently working or aspiring to work in the drinks sector. As part of this initiative, The Drinks Trust has renewed its partnership with WSET to offer a number of bursaries that will enable candidates to gain globally recognised qualifications in wine, spirits, sake and the newly launched beer course.

The reopening of the bursary comes at a critical time. The UK drinks and hospitality industry remains a cornerstone of the national economy, contributing over £120 billion annually and supporting more than 3.5 million jobs — approximately 10% of the UK workforce. However, the sector continues to face serious recruitment and retention challenges, with the latest figures showing over 80,000 vacancies across hospitality roles and a growing need for upskilling within the existing workforce.

Access to professional development remains a significant barrier, particularly for those facing financial hardship, career disruption, or entering the industry from underrepresented backgrounds- in the academic year 2024-25, 173 students received WSET Bursary to support the cost of their education. As a matter of fact, 21% of drinks and hospitality businesses report that their existing staff lack essential skills, 6% higher than the national average in all other UK industries. This skills gap is in large part caused by high levels of labour turnover, which costs the sector £274m annually.

Nicky Burston, CEO of The Drinks Trust, commented: "Our mission is to create a thriving drinks industry. By reopening the WSET Bursary, we are helping to level the playing field and ensure that opportunities for learning, growth and success are accessible to all, regardless of background or financial circumstance. In an industry that relies on talent, knowledge, and passion, education must be open to everyone."

Since its launch, the DEVELOP programme has supported over 2,500 individuals with fully funded training, helping to remove financial and social barriers to career progression. From aspiring bartenders and sommeliers to retail and production professionals, DEVELOP has opened doors for individuals across the breadth of the sector.

The WSET bursaries are open to those who meet the eligibility criteria and demonstrate a genuine interest in furthering their education and career in the drinks industry. Applications are now open and will be assessed on a rolling basis. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply early due to limited availability.

To learn more about the DEVELOP programme and to apply for a WSET bursary, visit: https://www.drinkstrust.org.uk/get-help/develop/our-courses

/Ends 

Notes to the Editor 

The Drinks Trust

The Drinks Trust is a trade charity providing financial assistance, emotional support, and opportunity for growth to drinks industry people. Our aim is to alleviate hardship, improve the wellbeing of our colleagues, and support their professional development. To find out more, please visit www.drinkstrust.org.uk

About WSET

WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) is the global leader in drinks education. Founded in 1969, and recognised by the awarding body Ofqual, we have awarded over 1.5 million people with a qualification since our inception. The courses are open to both industry professionals and interested enthusiasts who can take them across four levels, from one-day beginner to expert level diploma. Available in more than 15 languages and in over 70 countries, our qualifications have a strong reputation worldwide as the industry standard for knowledge. In the last academic year (2023/24) 134,000 candidates sat for a WSET qualification. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn

For media enquiries, please email Alessandra Brugola, Head of Marketing & Communications, at alessandra@drinkstrust.org.uk

Third-party news items that are posted on the Guild website come from press releases and emails received by the Guild. These are posted as they have been received. Their publication on the Guild website is an informational service only and is neither an endorsement of the content, nor its sender, by the Guild. For enquiries, please use the contact details that can be found at the bottom of each post.