Introducing the VocTech Seed 2022 grant fund

The Ufi VocTech Seed grant fund will open on January 12, helping bring to life new ideas using digital tech to deliver skills for work.

Our Seed grant fund provides a supportive environment to help scope and test new ideas that have the potential to transform learning for work. We are looking for projects that are at a relatively early stage; helping to prototype ideas and work out the next steps necessary on the journey to long-term success. Grants are between £15,000 and £50,000 for projects lasting from three to 12 months.

Watch our introductory video below or visit www.ufi.co.uk/seed for more information.

Reflections from OEB 2021

Just over a week ago in Berlin the OEB conference brought together professionals from across the globe to discuss technology-supported learning.

Ufi Deputy CEO Louise Rowland shares her reflections on the conference including how tech can help build resilience into our learning journeys and support the embedding of Learning and Development culture at board level.

Have your say:
Consultations open 

Government consultations are currently exploring two subjects relevant to the VocTech community.

The Intellectual Property Office is seeking views on the Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) ecosystem and whether it is functioning efficiently, effectively and supporting innovation. The consultation will help the Government assess whether any intervention is required.

The Ministry of Justice have released a new Prison Strategy White Paper. The consultation includes questions about vocational education in prisons, and how people in the criminal justice system can be supported in developing skills relevant to work. Ufi will be responding to this consultation. Please contact josh.smith@ufi.co.uk, Ufi Public Affairs Officer, if you have evidence you’d like to share with us. 

Catch up on some great VocTech content 

Over the past few weeks there have been some great pieces of content produced by Ufi and others.

VocTech Podcast: Removing barriers in skills development
Join Sophie Bailey (Host); Diane Morgan (Director of Talent, Zinc VC); Dr Andrea Cullen (Lead Tutor & Co-founder, CAPSLOCK) ; and Mark Baxter (Technical Director and Co-Founder, Digitalnauts) as they explore how to remove barriers in education, how to boost learner confidence, and how to build a use case for tech in learning within a corporate or workplace environment.

Imagining the future of VocTech
In the last of our FE News livestream series Ufi's Kev Jones discusses the future of vocational technology with Chris Mallet of Bodyswaps and Thomas Thacker of CENTURY.

ALT Learning Technologist of the Year Awards

The ALT Learning Technologist of the Year Awards returns to celebrate and reward excellent research, practice and achievement in learning technology. 

The free-to-attend Awards Showcase and Ceremony take place this Thursday at 4:15pm. View the shortlisted finalists for the awards.

Learnerbly secures $10m Series A funding

Learnerbly, a Ufi Ventures portfolio company, encourages self-directed learning by empowering employees with personal learning budgets and a personal development plan; guiding them to resources based on what and how they want to learn. 

The UK startup has now secured a $10 million Series A funding round led by Beringea. Also participating were new investors Digital Horizon Ventures, BY Venture Partners, GO Ventures and FJ Labs. This was alongside existing investors Frontline Ventures, Triple Point, London Co-Investment Fund and UFI Ventures.

Calling all care workers 

The team at Neurocare KnowHow are looking for feedback from care workers on their prototype learning platform for care workers who support people with neurological conditions.

If you know any paid or unpaid carers Neurocare KnowHow would love to hear from them to help make the platform as good as it can be. All participants will receive a high street shopping voucher to thank them for their involvement. If you would like to be involved – you can contact the team on 07388 997 660 or email info@neurocareknowhow.co.uk 

New tool to asses the impact of digital inclusion

The diagnostic tool from Digital Unite enables you to assess the impact your organisation could have on the digital inclusion agenda. 

The tool also shows the benefits that can accrue to your organisation from getting involved in digital inclusion, such as improved employee engagement, customer loyalty, brand awareness, CSR and Digital Social Responsibility (DSR) credentials. 

More awards for VocTech

We're please to share the news of two more award-winning members of the VocTech community

Beam have won "Technology Social Enterprise of the Year" at the Social Enterprise UK Awards.

FlashAcademy have been announced "Digital SME of the Year, 2021" at the prestigious Digileaders Awards.

Congratulations to them both.