WorldSkills UK
Analysis
WorldSkills UK is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in January 1991, 35 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, which this site groups under education and training. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02535199). It says it provides advocacy/advice/information and acts as an umbrella or resource body.
In the financial year ending March 2025, WorldSkills UK reported income of £8.1m and spending of £8.4m, spending 103% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £6.8m to £8.1m (+20%), an average of +4.7% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2022, when income rose by 30%. Over the whole period it spent 100% of the income it received.
Among 21,402 England and Wales charities whose main cause is education and training and that reported income, WorldSkills UK sits at the 98th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Glendower School Trust Limited (£8.1m), Feltonfleet School Trust Limited (£8.1m) and King's College School, Cambridge (£8.1m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 95% and charitable activities 4.9%. Charitable activities took 99% of spending and raising funds 0.8%. Reserves of £1.9m would cover about 3 months of spending at that rate. It employed 51 people.
Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 95%
- Charitable activities 4.9%
- Investments 0.3%
In the charity's own words
WorldSkills UK is a partnership between education, industry and UK governments. It is a world-class skills network, a catalyst for: raising standards through international benchmarking and professional development; championing future skills through analysis of rapidly changing economic demand; and empowering young people from all backgrounds through competitions-based training and careers advocacy
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Glendower School Trust Limited | London | £8.1m |
| Feltonfleet School Trust Limited | Cobham | £8.1m |
| King's College School, Cambridge | Cambridge | £8.1m |
| St John's College, Durham | Durham | £8.2m |