As artificial intelligence and automation rapidly reshape the global labour market, the definition of a complete education is fundamentally changing. Functional proficiency in reading, writing, and maths is no longer enough. The future belongs to those with the deeply human capabilities that technology cannot easily replicate: creative problem-solving, active listening, adaptability, teamwork, and leadership.
Yet, for too long, these essential skills have been treated as an extracurricular luxury, largely accessible only to affluent learners through specialised enrichment programmes and networks.
We are thrilled to announce that Skills Builder Global has officially been selected to join the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation’s 2026 cohort of supported social enterprises.
This powerful partnership will supercharge our global movement to make essential skills teachable, measurable, and accessible to every learner, everywhere.
A shared focus on systemic change
The DRK Foundation is world-renowned for its rigorous support of high-impact social enterprises. When selecting organisations, DRK looks for social entrepreneurs tackling systemic injustice and inequality at scale. They do not simply provide funding; DRK acts as a true strategic partner, offering three years of unrestricted capital, board-level leadership, and capacity-building support to help early-stage organisations scale.
For us, this partnership arrives at a pivotal moment. Having built strong foundations in the UK, our Universal Framework is now used by schools, employers, and education leaders across 52 countries reaching millions of learners. Learners in Skills Builder schools develop essential skills at up to three times the rate of their peers, unlocking real-world benefits including wage premiums and higher job satisfaction.
Our ambitions for the next decade
As we enter this new global phase, our ambition is to democratise access to essential skills development on a global scale - ensuring that building essential skills becomes a normal part of a good education. Over the next decade, we are working with the education systems, leading NGOs, employers and governments around the world to help realise this vision.
DRK’s deep expertise in scaling non-profits will be instrumental in helping us refine our international delivery models, build strategic partnerships with NGOs and governments, and embed essential skills into national education systems.
Reflecting on this milestone, our Founder & CEO Tom Ravenscroft shared:
“Joining the DRK Foundation’s 2026 cohort is an exciting milestone for Skills Builder Global. As AI and technological shifts rapidly change what it takes to succeed, we cannot allow essential skills to remain a luxury for the few. DRK’s unparalleled support, strategic guidance, and belief in our model will allow us to accelerate our ten-year mission to democratise these skills worldwide. Together, we are ensuring that every learner, regardless of their background or geography, can build the communication, teamwork, and problem-solving capabilities they need to thrive in work and life.”
We are deeply grateful to the DRK Foundation for their belief in our mission, and we look forward to working together to ensure every learner builds the skills to succeed in an ever-changing world.
