Annual Review of 2024
Introduction from our CEO
“The end of 2024 marked the conclusion of Ufi’s previous five-year strategy cycle and with it, a powerful reaffirmation of our mission: to transform how adults access learning, especially those furthest from opportunity, through the power of vocational technology.
Building on strong foundations, we deepened our impact by strengthening strategic partnerships, delivering targeted funding, and nurturing a vibrant community committed to innovation in adult learning.
There is still much to do, but the strides we’ve made together in 2024 reaffirm my belief in the transformative power of VocTech. I’m incredibly proud of what the Ufi team, our partners, and our wider community have achieved, and I remain deeply grateful for your energy, commitment, and belief in the power of technology to get adults learning.”
- Rebecca Garrod-Waters, CEO of Ufi
Headline figures
Grant Funding
In 2024, Ufi awarded £2.4 million in grant funding to new projects developing VocTech solutions that advance adult vocational learning, particularly for those furthest from opportunity.
We aim to develop a spectrum of projects, both early stage and near market, that showcase the best of digital vocational technology and have the potential for significant impact on the scale of people accessing vocational skills.
“At Ufi, we’re proud to back bold ideas that challenge how vocational learning is delivered and experienced. The projects we funded in 2024 are proof that technology can unlock real opportunity when paired with ambition and the right support. Seeing these innovations take shape, connect across our network, and begin to shift systems is exactly why we do this work.”
- Caroline O’Donnell, Grants Programme Manager, Ufi
VocTech Activate
We awarded £957k in VocTech Activate grant funding to 16 projects to develop new ideas for how technology can help address real-world barriers to adult participation in learning.
The broad set of projects in the 2024 cohort range from improving higher-level maths for heating engineers to helping FE students and teachers access skills training in artificial intelligence. Each project demonstrated innovation either in their overall approach, the technology they aim to develop, or in the sector or community of learners they will support.
VocTech Ignite
By invitation only, VocTech Ignite provides expert support to unsuccessful grant applicants with bold ideas that show real potential but need guidance to evolve into impactful digital solutions.
In 2024, support was offered to 15 projects via the VocTech Ignite programme, of which 7 initially took up the offer of expert advice and mentoring to refine their ideas and move closer to realising their potential.
VocTech Challenge grant fund
Through the VocTech Challenge grant fund we awarded £1.5 million to six organisations whose ideas stood out for their boldness, practicality and potential to shift the dial on adult learning. Each project is now working to address one of three deeply rooted challenges that continue to hold back adult participation in learning – employer integration, pathways into and within work, and vocational language barriers.
The cohort is already making strides across sectors including green energy, automotive maintenance and hospitality, developing digital solutions that are grounded in real-world need and designed to scale.
Driving change together
Whether through place-based collaboration or strategic partnerships, Ufi continues to work together with local communities and national organisations to transform the UK skills system and accelerate the adoption and development of VocTech.
By combining local insight, innovative VocTech solutions and evidence, we have helped unlock new pathways to learning, employment and opportunities for adults across the UK.
“These partnerships and collaborations show that when you listen to local and national needs and bring the right partners around the table, meaningful change can happen much faster. We’ve seen that VocTech is driving real progress, where it’s needed most.”
- Jane Holmes, Associate Director of Grants, Ufi
Place-based collaborations
As part of the VocTech Challenge programme, Ufi and L&W launched place-based collaborations in Hull, Belfast, Aberdeen and Newport to explore how VocTech can help to overcome local barriers to adult participation in learning.
Working closely with councils, colleges and community stakeholders, each city is developing scalable solutions to improve employment pathways, widen access to learning and boost long-term opportunities for diverse learners.
Impact Network
Funding is only part of the support we provide. By fostering collaborations across sectors, we have helped create ripple effects that lead to stronger communities of learning and lasting impact in the VocTech space.
To drive this forward we developed the new VocTech Impact Network, a space for organisations to share knowledge, access resources, test assumptions and accelerate the development and adoption of vocational technology. The Impact Network has become a dynamic forum for members to exchange insights and engage in peer learning.
Strategic Partnerships
We believe we can have greater impact on the UK skills system by working in collaboration with organisations that share our vision.
Each of our Strategic Partnerships offer a different pathway to maximise our collective impact and accelerate the pace of change. This year our Strategic Partners provided vital opportunities to learn, share knowledge and influence the direction of a rapidly evolving landscape.
During 2024 or Strategic Partnerships continued with:
Ufi Ventures
Through Ufi Ventures we continued to provide early-stage investment to companies with the potential to transform learning for work in the UK.
We invested more than £1.1 million over the year, including follow-on investments in existing companies in our portfolio. Our portfolio collectively reached and positively impacted over a million individuals nationwide.
“2024 was a milestone year for Ufi Ventures. We’re proud of the innovation that our investment has enabled, and want to use our understanding of where it’s needed most to further grow our impact. We supported and guided our portfolio to reach more learners, adapt to a flexing market and position themselves for further success. They are transforming how people learn for work, and it’s energising to see these ventures deliver practical, high-impact solutions across the UK.”
- Helen Gironi, Director of Ufi Ventures
In 2024, we launched the Ufi Ventures Challenge Fund – a new pool of investment capital in addition to our core Ventures fund, which we continue to manage and support. Two new companies also joined our portfolio. Fabrio, who’s platform supports learners to master Computer Aided Design, and Greenworkx who are helping tackle the green skills gap by providing online training and advice on career pathways to new jobs.
We continued to amplify our impact beyond investment, sharing insights through quarterly reports with Tyton Partners, attracting new investors, and fostering stronger sector connections through regular stakeholder events. By contributing to key industry conversations, including London EdTech Week, we helped drive awareness and growth across the VocTech investment landscape.
Our 2024 portfolio includes:
Evaluating our impact
As our 2020-2025 strategy cycle drew to a close, we took the opportunity to reflect on our progress, impact and learning. Our independent evaluation shows Ufi drives innovation and delivers significant impact with grant-funded projects reaching over 240,000 learners over the last 5 years.
Findings from our evaluation continue to shape our future direction, ensuring our work remains relevant, responsive and impactful.
“The insights from the interim evaluation are promising. They show that Ufi’s support has sparked innovation, created and strengthened partnerships. Ufi funding has strong additionality and is having a positive impact on learners gaining skills for work. With our updated Evaluation Framework and the interim evaluation, we’re not just measuring impact, we’re learning, improving and responding to the recommendations.”
- Mahreen Ferdous, Evaluation and Impact Manager, Ufi
York Consulting conducted an independent evaluation of Ufi’s second five-year strategy cycle, covering the period from 2020 to 2025. Drawing on extensive research, including surveys, interviews and data analysis, the evaluation assessed the effectiveness and impact of our grant funding, venture investments and strategic partnerships.
The findings highlighted four core areas where our work is making a meaningful difference:
1. Ufi grant funding remains an essential catalyst for innovation in vocational technology
The evaluation states: “Much of the work Ufi has funded through the current strategy is unlikely to have happened, or if it had, it would have taken longer and/or been on a smaller scale, had Ufi not become involved.”
Our ‘funding plus’ model, which combines financial support with enrichment and networking, is a key differentiator. It enables organisations to move from concept to delivery with confidence, helping them build solutions that are inclusive, scalable and impactful.
2. Ufi Ventures is an engaged and valued investor in technology for skills and workforce development
Ufi Ventures is recognised as a highly engaged and valued investor in technology for skills and workforce development. Portfolio companies consistently praised our hands-on approach, noting that we bring strategic insight, market knowledge and genuine care to every relationship.
Our support goes beyond capital by helping businesses grow, refine their impact, and navigate complex markets. This approach has helped ventures scale faster and attract further investment, reinforcing our role as a trusted partner in the VocTech space.
3. Ufi is developing trusted and transformative partnerships
Our strategic partnerships are built on trust and shared purpose. The evaluation found that these relationships are transformative, enabling joint ventures, expanding networks and amplifying the reach of VocTech initiatives.
Partners described Ufi as a “genuine” collaborator, helping them influence policy, connect with new audiences and deliver greater impact. Together, we’re shaping a more connected and resilient skills ecosystem.
4. Ufi is delivering significant impact on the UK skills ecosystem
At the heart of our work is the belief that vocational technology can change lives. The evaluation highlights how Ufi helps learners move from disconnection to belief – in their skills, their value and their potential. This personal transformation is what drives us. It’s why we invest, partner and advocate. As the report concludes:
“Were Ufi not to exist… it seems unlikely that much of the innovative work supported through Learning Without Walls would have been able to take place.”
Advocacy and celebration
We continued to champion innovation and the innovators driving change in VocTech. By building a robust evidence base and actively sharing insights with policymakers, providers, and the wider community, we’re helping embed VocTech into the UK skills system, advocating for approaches that unlock opportunity and drive inclusive growth across the economy.
“In 2024, we continued to advocate for a future where technology transforms how we learn, driving system change and supporting people, business and the UK economy to thrive. By convening partners, engaging policymakers, and showcasing innovation, we’ve shown how digital tools, strong leadership and vision can unlock opportunity and prosperity through adult learning.”
- Josh Smith, Head of Public Affairs, Ufi
Supporting policy change and celebrating successes
Building on our strong relationships across the vocational and skills sector, we continue to advocate for a UK skills system that can deliver growth to all parts of the economy. At the Party Conferences we partnered with the Future Skills Coalition, a cross-sector group of organisations (led by the Association of Colleges, AELP and City and Guilds) to make the case for the UK’s skills system.
At the 2024 Learning Technology Awards, seven Ufi-supported organisations were shortlisted highlighting the strength and innovation of our projects. Hull College took home two Gold awards, TeacherMatic claimed Gold, and Into Games secured Silver, underscoring the real-world impact our supported projects are delivering across the sector. We also contributed to 29 national and international events across the year; joining panels, running workshops and sharing insights and thought leadership to inspire action and drive positive change.
Showcasing the practical impact of VocTech
In May, Ufi partnered with Hull College to host representatives from the Department for Education and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, showcasing the college’s award-winning digital transformation. Guests were able to see for themselves how Ufi-supported tools like Bodyswaps’ VR simulations,
TeacherMatic’s AI lesson planning, and AI powered translation tools are enhancing teaching and learning across the college. Together we were able to demonstrate how with the right technology, leadership, teacher training and approach to learners, a college can revolutionise its delivery and student outcomes.
Ufi 2025-2030 strategy launch
November 2024 saw the launch of our 2025–2030 Strategy, outlining Ufi’s renewed vision and strategic ambitions for the next five years. To mark the occasion, we hosted an intimate event in London, bringing together our Strategic Partners and key stakeholders from across the VocTech ecosystem.
The evening was an opportunity to share our priorities for the future, spark dialogue around the role of digital innovation in adult learning, and celebrate the collective commitment that will drive meaningful change across the UK skills system.
