YMCA Training's history

YMCA Training was founded in 1978 in response to high levels of unemployment during the recession and to meet individual's social, learning and employment needs. As part of the YMCA, we were founded on the same philanthropic Christian values of the wider movement and strive towards achieving the same goal: for all people to have the opportunity to play a full part in society.

The YMCA movement dates back to 1844, and it is apt that its founder, George Williams, trained as a Draper's Apprentice, before moving to London. Here he became concerned by some of the working conditions and lifestyles of his colleagues and decided to take action by forming the first YMCA.

The YMCA has since become an international movement, working in 120 countries across the globe. For more details about the YMCA movement in England and its history, please visit www.ymca.org.uk.

In 2002, YMCA Training became an independent charity in its own right, affiliated to the National Council of YMCAs and an active member of the YMCA movement.

In the years following this exciting move, the organisation has branched out and developed in new areas, such as through our work with schools. It has also established new partners, such as Tesco, the UK's most popular supermarket.