Changing how adults in the UK access and develop skills needed to do their jobs

Ufi VocTech Trust, who offer grant funding for innovative uses of digital technology that upskill adults in the UK, recently welcomed projects old and new to its annual celebration of their work.

More than 150 people gathered to hear from the projects themselves at the event which is held every year to showcase the work of Ufi and the projects it supports.
Through onstage presentations and in the room demonstrations, guests heard about the challenges and lessons learnt in designing for adult education using vocational technologies. Those attending also had an opportunity to chat with those behind a wide range of projects that have been funded by Ufi in recent years.

Rebecca Garrod-Waters, Chief Executive of the Ufi VocTech Trust said:

We want to showcase the achievements of Ufi funded projects and investments alongside the very best of VocTech in the UK and internationally and this annual event is a central part of our commitment to do that.

Salisbury based tech firm Blueflame Digital, who have been developing digital learning for over 20 years, enlightened the room into the inspiration and designing of their game for dental nurses. CHOMP dental is a mobile application that delivers a curriculum through a series of mini games that last no more than 90 seconds per level.

As well as assisting dental nurses in their continued professional development it also became apparent during the pilot that the game is also beneficial to receptionist in the dental industry as it provides them with a basic knowledge that can help them better assist with patient’s enquiries.

Rich Lloyd, Co-Founder at Blueflame Digital said:

Ufi’s support hasn’t just been about the funding. It’s given us a diverse range of connections and the ongoing project management has helped us achieve great things in such a short space of time.

Ufi VocTech Trust is governed by a board of Trustees who all share the same passion of wanting to give adults across the UK better access to the skills they need for work through innovative of digital technology. Trustee Alex Cullen attended the showcase and said:

Tonight shows that anybody can succeed no matter what their background and I’m just really passionate about what Ufi are doing in making sure that everyone’s got opportunities to the skills and the training they need to succeed in their careers.

Ufi’s first funding round for 2020 is VocTech Seed in January which offers up to £50,000 for the development of early-stage ideas that change how adults in the UK access and develop skills needed to do their jobs. To support applicants a series of webinars and workshops are available which give people an opportunity to learn more about the funding call, discover what a good application looks like, and discuss their ideas one-to-one.