Celebrating a landmark moment for Skills Builder Global at the London Stock Exchange

January 21, 2026

Our mission has always been clear: to ensure that one day, everyone builds the essential skills to thrive. Last week, we took a monumental step toward making that vision a reality.

To celebrate the official launch of our Global Division and the release of our inaugural Global Impact Report 2025, our team was invited to the London Stock Exchange for a Market Close ceremony. Standing at the heart of global finance was a fitting backdrop for a milestone that marks our transition from a UK based initiative to a truly international movement.

Why Skills Builder Global, and why now?

The world of work is changing faster than ever. With the rapid acceleration of AI and automation affecting nearly 70% of job roles worldwide, technical knowledge is no longer enough. In this shifting landscape, the essential skills at the heart of our mission have become the definitive currency for success.

Whether it’s Problem Solving, Creativity, or Teamwork, these are the transferable skills that allow individuals to thrive. Our research even shows that those with higher essential skill levels are 30% more likely to use AI tools frequently at work. Essential skills aren't just a "nice to have"; they are the human counterbalance to a technology-driven future

Reflecting impact: The 2025 Report

Part screenshot of the Global Impact Report 2025 webpage with two lots of colourful photo thumbnails on either side of the title

Our inaugural Global Impact Report highlights the incredible strides we’ve made with our 1,113 partners across 52 countries. In the last year alone, we have:

Delivered over 2.4 million high-quality opportunities for individuals to build essential skills.
Empowered 22,700+ educators worldwide, with 96% of those in our flagship Accelerator programme reporting increased confidence in teaching these skills.
Proven the Model: Learners in Skills Builder programmes make more than twice the rate of progress compared to those without this structured support.
Influenced National Policy: We are proud to have supported the integration of essential skills frameworks into national education approaches in the UK, Kenya, and Uganda.

The Universal Framework: a common language

Preview of the framework for essential skills (Steps 1-5), in a rainbow arrangement with a white fade at the bottom.

At the core of this global expansion is the Universal Framework. By breaking down eight essential skills into 16 measurable, teachable steps, we provide a consistent language for progress. Whether a student is in Czechia, Nigeria, Hong Kong (China), or the UK, they are now using the same rigorous steps to master everything from active listening to complex team management.

Looking ahead to 2030

As we rang the bell to close the market, we weren't just celebrating past successes; we were looking toward the future. Supported by founding partners like the LSEG Foundation, our strategy is focused on building local ownership through Lead Partners across the globe.

By 2030, our goal is to ensure that essential skills are a standard part of a high-quality education for everyone, everywhere.

Tom Ravenscroft speaking behind a lectern at the London Stock Exchange, with a colourful Skills Builder rollout banner in the background showing the icons for the essential skills..

As our Founder & Global CEO, Tom Ravenscroft, shared during the ceremony:

"By bringing the Universal Framework to 52 countries, we are moving beyond just advocating for these skills to providing the measurable, rigorous tools educators need to drive real change for every learner."

We are just getting started.

Want to see the data behind the movement? Download the Global Impact Report 2025 here or partner with us to bring essential skills to your region.