Grant fund criteria

• Tackle one of the three challenge questions. We understand that these challenges do not exist in isolation - that is partly why they are so complex. Successful applicants will be expected to explore and consider connected issues as part of our work together; however they must concentrate on one challenge question for the application:

1. Employer integration
   How can technology be used to integrate and reflect employers’ changing needs so that the skills of the available workforce better reflect the needs of local employers?
2. Pathways into and within work
   How can technology be used to increase the visibility, accessibility and uptake of pathways from learning into work, or from one type of work into another, particularly in regional growth sectors?
3. Vocational language barriers
   How can technology be used to support adults with in-demand vocational skills, but who don’t speak English as their first language, gain the industry-specific English required by employers?
   

• Focus on Ufi’s target learner groups - the communities, sectors, skill levels and places currently underserved by mainstream provision
• Show commitment to being part of the Impact Network and consider how being part of this community could benefit / strengthen the progress of their idea
• Reduce duplication and increase collaboration when compared to the status quo
• Have an immediate purpose for a large number of learners and for organisations who will benefit from better skilled employees (1,000+ learners to benefit during the period of Ufi funding)
• Be conceived and developed in a way that sustains and scales when Ufi funding has ended
• Be collaborative with at least two of the following engaged:
  • employers or employer groups/trade bodies who can provide access to learners/users and potential employment opportunities for learners.
  • an organisation engaged with and well connected to the target learner group.
  • a provider (e.g. training organisation, recruitment or employment body, awarding body)
  • software developers with proven experience of developing digital tools with a track record of adoption.
• Demonstrate commitment from the applicant and collaborators, in the form of cash, time and / or other forms of in-kind support

To be able to achieve these criteria we believe that project applicants will need to be at least at MVP stage and have direct access to a cohort of available learners/users for development and testing so they can prove that relevance and replicate to scale.

We are also open to the fact that:

• the idea may be part of a blended or hybrid solution, where digital tools and approaches can enhance face to face delivery.
• ideas may also address the skills of trainers in deploying VocTech in order to ensure that these tools are utilised and embedded more quickly.
• the idea may not be a separate product or commercial service. The tool may well be something that can be embedded or retrofitted into existing offers or changes to practice in order to improve outcomes, catalysing longer term systems change.
• whilst this call is not focused on digital skills development, there may be a need to address digital skills as an entry point to the vocational skills and pathways to work that applicants are seeking to build.
• While our focus is on up to level 3 skills, where there is a clear demand from employers for skills above this level, we will consider applications which include a small proportion of above level 3 skills.

• New Learning Management Systems
• Ideas which duplicate or increase the complexity of the skills landscape.
• Speculative technologies developed in isolation of the user group.
• Ideas with no potential for scale or catalyse wider systemic change in the sector.
• Generic ‘coaching’ or motivational tools.
• Generic mental health or well-being support solutions.
• Enterprise skills solutions
• Skills that are above Level 3 or equivalent

Explore a further list of what Ufi does not fund.