SkillShift: Simulation-based behavioural learning for vocational progression

Many young people and adults who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) face barriers to engaging with traditional vocational learning. Despite high demand, skills such as communication, problem-solving and resilience are often not taught effectively, especially for adults with low confidence or limited experience. As a result, many remain disengaged, lacking the skills and self-belief to progress, while employers struggle to recruit work-ready employees.

This project will develop a gamified, simulation-based learning platform to support vocational exploration and workplace skills development. Through interactive scenarios, learners will practise decision-making, receive feedback on interpersonal skills and build confidence through experimentation. Each learner will generate a personalised behavioural insights report to support coaching and progression planning. These insights can also be used by employers and support services to better understand individual needs and tailor guidance, helping to identify realistic next steps into education, training or employment. The project will expand an existing app into a browser-based platform with multiple simulations, refining the learner journey and integrating reflective learning and real-world support.

The project builds on early pilots and strong partnerships with organisations including Slough Borough Council, the DWP and FE colleges. If successful, the project could re-engage learners who are disengaged from traditional provision by offering a low-stakes way to explore workplace behaviours. At scale, this could improve progression into education, training or employment for NEET learners, while helping employers identify and develop workplace-ready behaviours. There is potential for adoption by training providers, employability services and employers, offering a scalable model for simulation-based skills development and assessment.