Whisky broker VCL Vintners has extended its partnership with The Drinks Trust, the UK’s drinks industry charity, by deploying a five-figure fund to enable students to undertake distilling education with the Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers (CIBD).
The new bursary, which sits within The Drinks Trust’s DEVELOP educational programme, follows VCL’s commitment last November to support an annual cohort of 30 to achieve the Certificate in Scotch Whisky in collaboration with the Edinburgh Whisky Academy.
Using funds from the VCL Foundation, the UK’s leading whisky broker will now facilitate the first step in a progressive four-tier training pathway towards Master Distiller qualification for upwards of 15 students every year.
Benjamin Lancaster, Founder of VCL, says: “At VCL, we believe in investing not only in whisky, but in the people who make the industry what it is. By supporting access to accredited distilling education, we’re helping to create meaningful career pathways for individuals who may otherwise be unable to pursue them. Partnering with The Drinks Trust on these two schemes allows us to give back to the industry in a practical and lasting way.”
The CIBD Foundation in Distilling offers an accessible introduction to the technical foundations of spirits production, guiding learners through every stage of the process, from raw material intake to final packaging, supported by illustrations, animations and interactive tools.
Since its launch in 2022, The Drinks Trust’s educational service, DEVELOP, has trained more than 3,000 students across areas such as spirits, mixology, wine and beer. Today, DEVELOP has evolved into a specialist provider in spirits education, with whisky and distilling training now at the core of its curriculum. It has become a central resource for those pursuing professional pathways in the drinks industry, particularly within the fast‑growing spirits’ sector.
These bursaries will be made available to individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, or experiencing financial hardship, reinforcing The Drinks Trust’s mission to support those most affected by current economic pressures. With one in five working‑age adults in the UK expected to face financial hardship in 2026, this support is more vital than ever.
Benjamin adds: “The distilling sector continues to evolve at pace and access to high-quality technical education is essential for maintaining standards and nurturing talent. We’re proud to be able to help open the door to formal qualifications that can support long-term careers in spirits.”
Nicola Burston, CEO of The Drinks Trust, comments: “We are pleased to continue our partnership with VCL Vintners through this new bursary initiative supporting access to the CIBD Foundation in Distilling course. Their commitment to investing in spirits education demonstrates how the industry can collectively invest in its people, build resilience, and ensure a sustainable future.”
Tom Shelston, CEO of CIBD, says: “The Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers (CIBD) is delighted to be working with VCL Vintners and The Drinks Trust through this important initiative designed to support individuals to learn and develop their careers in spirits production. VCL Vintners’ commitment to lifelong learning through these bursaries will help many students to access CIBD qualifications that may not have been available to them otherwise. We’re very much looking forward to supporting these students through their learning journey.”
For more information on the bursary programme or to apply, visit: https://www.drinkstrust.org.uk/get-help/develop/our-courses
