The furlough scheme has come to an end and as many return to work, reports suggest that around one million workers will remain in a state of limbo; some still awaiting full-time return, others facing redundancy. To support these displaced workers, Skillshare has launched the ‘Furlough100’ scholarship, offering 100 people in the UK the opportunity to learn new skills from the world’s best creators. 

Skillshare is one of the world's largest online learning communities for creativity and with this brand new scholarship, the platform hopes to provide ex-furloughed individuals access to its thriving creative community and their skills.

The scholarship is specifically designed for displaced workers to help equip them with skills to further their careers. On the platform, members can explore their creativity and discover new skills, techniques, and tools for a wide range of creative topics. Recipients of the scholarship will gain free, unlimited access for a year to over 30,000 video-based classes including topics like entrepreneurship, graphic design, photography, animation, and content creation.  

The past 18 months has been a mentally draining period for all, especially those whose futures were made uncertain by being placed on furlough. To help with this, Skillshare also plays host to several classes to support mental wellbeing. With studies showing that the act of creating can improve mental health; 60% of UK adults surveyed by Skillshare recently said learning creative skills boosted their mental health. 

“As this phase of furlough comes to an end, it will be a time of uncertainty for many. We know from our recent research how important learning creative skills is both for people’s career prospects and wellbeing.” explains Liana Douillet Guzmán, Skillshare CMO, “This scholarship will be an opportunity to access over 30,000 classes in a wide range of creative disciplines and benefit from the support of the Skillshare community”.

People can apply to the scholarship via the Skillshare website with an application outlining the reasons why the applicant is out of work, why they wish to take on the Scholarship and what skills they’d like to learn and why. The scholarship will be granted to the first 100 people who live in the UK and meet all eligible criteria.

The scholarship entry time frame is October 1^st to December 1^st 2021 and scholarship awardees will be notified on a rolling basis through the year’s end.

To apply to the Skillshare Furlough100 scholarship please click here.