29 May 2025
Ufi offers £964k to 16 organisations transforming how UK adults gain the skills they need for work
Ufi VocTech Trust is delighted to announce the latest group of organisations offered grant funding through Ufi’s VocTech Activate 2025 grant fund.
Sixteen projects will each receive a share of £964,000 to develop new ideas using technology to tackle real-world barriers to adult skills development.
The projects address urgent challenges across a broad range of settings — including prison education, onboarding for deskless workers, digital inclusion for learners with special educational needs and disabilities, and immersive learning for industries facing critical talent shortages.
The early-stage pilots include:
- Using virtual and augmented reality to deliver hands-on vocational training in prisons — improving skills and reducing reoffending.
- Developing AI-powered feedback tools for apprentices to receive real-time guidance on their practical work, helping boost completion rates.
- Bringing renewable energy labs to life online, expanding access to technical training in wind energy, particularly in rural and remote areas.
- Creating an AI-powered language tool to support non-native English-speaking carers develop the complex communication skills required in health and social care roles.
- Using TikTok-style videos and microlearning to upskill adults developing careers in hospitality.
You can explore the full list of organisations offered VocTech Activate 2025 grant funding in the Ufi VocTech Directory.
Ufi's VocTech Activate grant fund is designed specifically to support the development of practical, inclusive technology-based learning tools and approaches. Combining grant funding with expert-led support, VocTech Activate helps early-stage ideas progress to a stage where they can demonstrate real-world impact, deliver value to learners, and be scaled for broader adoption.
"Each year we are inspired by the creativity and commitment of those applying to the VocTech Activate grant fund. This year's cohort exemplifies what Ufi stands for — bold ideas, practical impact, and the belief that technology can open up new opportunities for adults to learn skills for work. We're proud to support these teams as they explore and test solutions that have the potential to scale, transform lives, and help build a more skilled and inclusive workforce."
- Jane Holmes, Associate Director of Grants at Ufi
Projects will now begin their VocTech Activate journey, which runs for up to 12 months and includes expert support, enrichment, and access to our Impact Network – providing grant funded projects the best chances of success.
If you are interested in developing technology for adult skills development, sign-up to the Ufi Community Newsletter for upcoming grant funding announcements.
£900k VocTech Activate 2026 grant fund announced to test and scale vocational learning ideasIf you’ve got a bold idea for how tech could transform vocational learning, now is the time to bring it to life.
Ufi offers £964k to 16 organisations transforming how UK adults gain the skills they need for workThe latest group of organisations offered grant funding through Ufi’s VocTech Activate 2025 grant fund.
Ufi’s £900k VocTech Activate grant fund opens January 2025Explore our upcoming funding.