BFDT opens 2026 grants to support skills and training across footwear industry 

The British Footwear Development Trust (BFDT) has today, 6th July, opened applications for its 2026 Education and Training Grant Programme. 

The scheme is aimed at helping people and businesses in the UK footwear industry access skills development and professional training. 

Applications will close at midnight on 30th September 2026.

The BFDT programme is designed to help more people access learning, whether that is to build new skills, refresh existing ones or bring structured training into the workplace. 

The programme is open to all parts of the UK footwear sector, including design, development, manufacturing, retail, logistics and repair. 

It supports education and training at all levels, from entry-level to advanced professional development.

Sara Driscoll, product development manager at Fairfax & Favor, said: “The BFDT’s education and training grant was invaluable for the footwear Product Development team at Fairfax and Favor to support continuous professional development plans. 

“The grant enabled both junior and established personnel to undertake a variety of BFA courses to refresh current skills, meet like-minded professionals, embrace the latest innovations, and strengthen industry knowledge.”