The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust and Cockpit are delighted to announce a brand new initiative to help new QEST Scholars build the core skills needed to develop a more sustainable practice.
Delivered over a three month period, the bespoke, information led, practical and progressive programme of online workshops will cover topics including: developing a strategic vision, planning the business and practice that you want, understanding how to target audience and market and effectively communicate to them, improving business’ capacity for growth and much more.
In addition to the online workshops, the participants will also be able to access resources on a programme microsite and continue discussions in a scholar WhatsApp group. Each scholar will receive a one-to-one meeting with a Cockpit business coach to conclude the programme in September.
QEST CEO Deborah Pocock comments,
“Skills in marketing, pricing, defining your target audience and other key areas of running a business are crucial for makers in order to establish viable businesses and flourishing careers. We’re really pleased to be able to provide this additional ongoing support for all our new scholars. Last month we awarded funding to 22 scholars who have already begun the programme and it’s wonderful to see them come together, share ideas and plan where they want to take their business.”
Cockpit CEO Annie Warburton comments,
“QEST and Cockpit are natural partners with a shared mission to empower talented craftspeople to succeed. It’s been my privilege to serve on QEST selection panels, and ever since I joined Cockpit, Debbie and I have been exploring how we could work together.
A QEST scholarship is a career-transforming moment for makers, enabling them to invest in their skills. This new initiative supports scholars with the best of Cockpit’s professional development and business coaching, giving them a framework and tools with which to map out their future. I can’t wait to see where they take their careers.”
About QEST
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) supports the training and education of talented and aspiring craftspeople through traditional college courses, vocational training, apprenticeships and one-to-one training with a master craftsperson; helping to support Britain’s cultural heritage and sustain vital skills in traditional and contemporary crafts.
Over the last 30 years QEST has awarded £5million to over 600 individuals working across the UK in 130 different craft disciplines. From guitar making to printmaking; thatching to enamelling, the charity embraces craft in all its many forms and is proud to contribute towards its evolving tradition. QEST funding has provided an essential turning point for many recipients, and the charity continues to support alumni throughout their career, offering opportunities for exhibitions, collaborations and commissions through QEST’s extensive craft network.
QEST was founded by the Royal Warrant Holders Association in 1990 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Association and the 90th birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. In 2017 HRH The Prince of Wales became the charity’s Patron, with Vice-Patrons the Earl of Snowdon and the Marquess of Salisbury.
Photos: Nico Conti, Miriam Sayed, Oliver Hymans, Rachel Clunie.
