Applications are now open for the VocTech Challenge Grant Fund, with grants of up to £150,000 available for projects that use digital technology to change how vocational learning is developed and delivered.
The fund has been launched by Ufi VocTech Trust, a UK charity championing the power of technology to improve skills for work.
It has been developed in response to Ufi’s VocTech Challenge Green Paper which found that lack of confidence was a major barrier to vocational learning for those most at risk from economic and digital exclusion.
As part of its wider aim to improve the skills of the UK workforce, Ufi is now offering grants for projects that can support the development and deployment of digital solutions to help adults most impacted by the digital divide.
Grants of between £15,000 up to £150,000 are available to VocTech solutions which can deliver benefits to a large number of learners.
RELATED: Projects that use tech to support learner confidence urged to apply for 2021 VocTech grant
Rebecca Garrod-Waters, Ufi CEO said that the "funding call comes at a vital time."
“By offering support to projects that address this growing problem and come up with solutions to help adults gain the skills they need to thrive in the workplace, we can continue to work together to address these issues," she added.
“I urge any organisations that are working with learners impacted by the growing digital divide and using tech to improve skills for work to visit our website and find out more about the VocTech Challenge Fund.”
First Step Trust is a project that has previously received Ufi funding. Its proof of concept that is being developed will incorporate virtual reality (VR), video, artificial intelligence (AI) and other vocational technologies to develop a training tool that allows users both to learn and to demonstrate success without requiring high levels of literacy.
The long-term aim is to enable those furthest from the labour market to show that they have the skills to succeed in stable employment.
RELATED: Free cybersecurity course launched for anyone in NI with interest in cyber
The application form will be available on the Ufi VocTech website from 9am on Tuesday 29 June, and the fund closes for applications on 29 July.
