BURSARY SCHEME

The British sporting gun industry stands at the intersection of two worlds. Its past is in the traditional crafts – intricate woodwork for a hand-finished gun stock, high precision hand-work to fit actions and to regulate barrels, and fine metal engraving for the action. Its present is in high-tech. Without computer-controlled metalworking machinery, it would be impossible to make parts of the strength and precision required for modern guns, particularly at an affordable price. Finding craftsmen who can straddle these worlds is difficult. The Trust is focusing, therefore, not only on providing opportunities for newcomers to acquire craft skills but also on helping experienced craftsmen to learn the requisite technical skills that are increasingly necessary if British gun making is to compete successfully in the 21st century.

In 2007 a bursary scheme was established to support members of the gun trade wishing to employ apprentices. Typically, for a successful application, a grant is up to £5,000 per annum for 4 years in respect of each apprentice or trainee. Our experience is that this level of support overcomes the initial economic obstacles faced by employers wanting to bring new recruits into gun making. After all, the apprentice is not at first fully productive, and the employer loses further productivity due to the time devoted to training. A small craft workshop can ill afford either. A trustee is appointed to mentor each apprentice and to monitor his or her progress.

Applications

Applications can be made in two ways.

  1. Download the Word file and complete it in your own time. Please note that within the MS Word application, you can use the DICTATE function to avoid typing. To download an application form, please click here.
  2. Complete the online application form below; once completed, this will be automatically sent to the Trust.

Applications for a training bursary should be submitted by email to info@gunmakerstrust.org

Please note that the apprentice must have completed at least 6 consecutive months of employment before the application can be considered.

Current Busary map 2024

Trainee to complete - This is a two-stage application. Please ask your Employer or trainer to complete the second form.

Tell us about yourself

Full Name
Date of birth
Phone number
Email Address

Education

Please list schools and dates attended along with subjects taken and grades obtained:
Please list University, Technical College or Higher Education provider along with subjects taken and qualifications / grades obtained: (please attach copies of certificates)
Work-based training and previous employment:
Please list the work based training undertaken and any qualifications obtained: (please attach copies of certificates)
Your reasons for wishing to train in gunmaking skills:

Please make sure that you have given consent (checkbox above) before submitting your application.

Employer/Trainer to complete - This is a two-stage application. Please make sure that your Trainee has completed their form.

Company details

Company
Phone number
Email Address
Application details

Please give the names and contact details of TWO independent referees who are able to satisfy the Trustees that the trainee is a suitable person to be employed and trained in skills that involve working with and handling firearms.

Referee 1

Referee 2

Please read the following Terms and Conditions:

I understand that should I be offered a training bursary from The Gunmakers’ Company Charitable Trust in respect of the below named trainee, I will be required to sign an Agreement with the Trust. I will be required to give assurance that the Trainee is employed in accordance with current regulations with a Contract of Employment in place, and will inform Trustees if the Trainees ceases to be employed by me. I will set out a training schedule for the Trainee, and understand that I will be required to report on his or her progress on a 6-month basis. A Mentor will be appointed by the Trustees to act as a point of contact in respect of the Bursary arrangements, and will provide support and advice to you and the Trainees (the Mentor will plan to visit on an annual basis). I understand that, if I fail to report as required to the Mentor or Trustees, as required, or if progress is deemed unsatisfactory, then this may jeopardise any future bursary payments. If a four-year bursary is awarded, I note that a full review of progress will be undertaken after two years.

I declare that my Company has, or I have exercised due diligence in establishing that the Trainee, by references, character, and background, is believed to be a suitable person to be employed in a business where he or she will be working with and handling firearms, and will not bring the trade nor The Gunmakers’ Company Charitable Trust into disrepute.

I understand and accept that the Trustees cannot and are not be held liable in the event of either Trainee or Employer failing to comply with any of the terms and conditions stated in the of the Trainee’s contract of employment.

Should the training period for any reason be terminated before the due date I understand and accept that all further payments of the agreed bursary which may be due from The Gunmakers’ Company Charitable Trust will cease with immediate effect.

BURSARY SCHEME

The British sporting gun industry stands at the intersection of two worlds. Its past is in the traditional crafts – intricate woodwork for a hand-finished gun stock, high precision hand-work to fit actions and to regulate barrels, and fine metal engraving for the action. Its present is in high-tech. Without computer-controlled metalworking machinery, it would be impossible to make parts of the strength and precision required for modern guns, particularly at an affordable price. Finding craftsmen who can straddle these worlds is difficult. The Trust is focusing, therefore, not only on providing opportunities for newcomers to acquire craft skills but also on helping experienced craftsmen to learn the requisite technical skills that are increasingly necessary if British gun making is to compete successfully in the 21st century.

In 2007 a bursary scheme was established to support members of the gun trade wishing to employ apprentices. Typically, for a successful application, a grant is up to £5,000 per annum for 4 years in respect of each apprentice or trainee. Our experience is that this level of support overcomes the initial economic obstacles faced by employers wanting to bring new recruits into gun making. After all, the apprentice is not at first fully productive, and the employer loses further productivity due to the time devoted to training. A small craft workshop can ill afford either. A trustee is appointed to mentor each apprentice and to monitor his or her progress.

Current Busary map 2024

Applications

Applications can be made in two ways.

  1. Download the Word file and complete it in your own time. Please note that within the MS Word application, you can use the DICTATE function to avoid typing. To download an application form, please click here.
  2. Complete the online application form below; once completed, this will be automatically sent to the Trust.

Applications for a training bursary should be submitted by email to info@gunmakerstrust.org

Please note that the apprentice must have completed at least 6 consecutive months of employment before the application can be considered.

Trainee to complete - This is a two-stage application. Please ask your Employer or trainer to complete the second form.

Tell us about yourself

Full Name
Date of birth
Phone number
Email Address

Education

Please list schools and dates attended along with subjects taken and grades obtained:
Please list University, Technical College or Higher Education provider along with subjects taken and qualifications / grades obtained: (please attach copies of certificates)
Work-based training and previous employment:
Please list the work based training undertaken and any qualifications obtained: (please attach copies of certificates)
Your reasons for wishing to train in gunmaking skills:

Please make sure that you have given consent (checkbox above) before submitting your application.

Employer/Trainer to complete - This is a two-stage application. Please make sure that your Trainee has completed their form.

Company details

Company
Phone number
Email Address
Application details

Please give the names and contact details of TWO independent referees who are able to satisfy the Trustees that the trainee is a suitable person to be employed and trained in skills that involve working with and handling firearms.

Referee 1

Referee 2

Please read the following Terms and Conditions:

I understand that should I be offered a training bursary from The Gunmakers’ Company Charitable Trust in respect of the below named trainee, I will be required to sign an Agreement with the Trust. I will be required to give assurance that the Trainee is employed in accordance with current regulations with a Contract of Employment in place, and will inform Trustees if the Trainees ceases to be employed by me. I will set out a training schedule for the Trainee, and understand that I will be required to report on his or her progress on a 6-month basis. A Mentor will be appointed by the Trustees to act as a point of contact in respect of the Bursary arrangements, and will provide support and advice to you and the Trainees (the Mentor will plan to visit on an annual basis). I understand that, if I fail to report as required to the Mentor or Trustees, as required, or if progress is deemed unsatisfactory, then this may jeopardise any future bursary payments. If a four-year bursary is awarded, I note that a full review of progress will be undertaken after two years.

I declare that my Company has, or I have exercised due diligence in establishing that the Trainee, by references, character, and background, is believed to be a suitable person to be employed in a business where he or she will be working with and handling firearms, and will not bring the trade nor The Gunmakers’ Company Charitable Trust into disrepute.

I understand and accept that the Trustees cannot and are not be held liable in the event of either Trainee or Employer failing to comply with any of the terms and conditions stated in the of the Trainee’s contract of employment.

Should the training period for any reason be terminated before the due date I understand and accept that all further payments of the agreed bursary which may be due from The Gunmakers’ Company Charitable Trust will cease with immediate effect.

OUR MENTORS

Daryl Greatrex
Francis Pearce
Stephen Hill
Karl Eze
Ian Sweetman

Each apprentice supported by the Trust costs £20,000 which is paid over a four-years whilst they received training. To achieve our planned level of activity of supporting 10 apprentices per year, we need to raise £50,000 every year. This requires regular and sustained support from you.

Mr Daryl Greatrex, Past Master, The Worshipful Company of Gunmakers

SUPPORTING US

Interested in supporting our work?

If you are interested in supporting the work of the Gunmakers’ Trust, or in finding out more about how we support apprentices, please email Adrian Mundin, or write to theSecretary to the Trustees, Gunmakers’ Trust, The Proof House, 48-50 Commercial Road, London E1 1LP.

Alternatively, download a pledge form and send your donation or Direct Debit mandate to the Secretary. Making a pledge in your Will is also an efficient way of supporting charitable endeavour; download details here.

SUPPORTING US

If you are interested in supporting the work of the Gunmakers’ Trust, or in finding out more about how we support apprentices, please email Adrian Mundin, or write to theSecretary to the Trustees, Gunmakers’ Trust, The Proof House, 48-50 Commercial Road, London E1 1LP.

Alternatively, download a pledge form and send your donation or Direct Debit mandate to the Secretary. Making a pledge in your Will is also an efficient way of supporting charitable endeavour; download details here.

THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF GUNMAKERS

The Gunmakers Company Charitable Trust is the charitable arm of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers which was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1637 to promote and regulate gunmaking, a role it still fulfils today.

Visit our website to read more about us.