Ufi Voctech Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £2.4m+ (recent funding rounds)
• Success Rate: Higher for workshop attendees
• Decision Time: 3-4 months (from Stage 1 to final decision)
• Grant Range: £30,000 - £250,000
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide (adult vocational learners)

Contact Details

Website: www.ufi.co.uk

Email: info@ufi.co.uk

Phone: 07702 185695

Address: First Floor, 10 Queen Street Place, London, EC4R 1BE

Pre-application Support: Ufi runs workshops during application windows to assist applicants. Attending these workshops significantly increases success rates.

Overview

Ufi VocTech Trust (charity number 1081028) was established in 1998 and became a grant-funding body in 2010 following the sale of Learndirect, creating an endowment of approximately £50 million. The charity is the UK's specialist investor in technology for skills and the future of work, making grants to organizations in support of the advancement of education and the promotion of industry and commerce for the public benefit. Since beginning grant funding in 2013, Ufi has made more than 200 offers of funding to VocTech projects. Led by CEO Rebecca Garrod-Waters since 2014, the charity focuses on supporting the delivery of adult vocational skills through digital technology, with particular emphasis on learners aged 16+ in sectors and locations not well served by mainstream provision. The organization is chaired by Dominic Gill, with Paolo Fresia serving as Vice-Chair.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

VocTech Activate: £30,000 - £60,000 for projects lasting 3-12 months

This is Ufi's test bed where early-stage ideas addressing vocational learning problems can be scoped, tested, and prototyped. The 2024 fund totaled £900k. Applications are submitted via the online MyUfi portal on a fixed deadline basis.

VocTech Challenge Impact Network + Grant Fund: £200,000 - £250,000

For projects addressing specific systemic challenges in vocational learning, including employer integration, pathways into and within work, and vocational language barriers. Recent fund totaled £1.5 million for six organizations. Fixed deadline application process.

Priority Areas

• Adult vocational skills development (learners aged 16+)
• Technology-enabled learning solutions
• Projects addressing barriers for neurodivergent adults in gaining qualifications
• Under-representation of learners from disadvantaged groups in the tech sector
• Skills for net zero and green economy transitions
• Workplace digital skills
• Vocational language skills
• Learners in sectors and locations underserved by mainstream provision
• Projects demonstrating potential for scale and transformational change
• Employer integration and pathways into work

What They Don't Fund

Types of Projects:

• Careers advice or matching
• Generic 'access to work' skills (time management, CV building, interview skills)
• Basic digital skills for generic capability (though workplace-specific digital skills are eligible)
• Skills above level 3 or equivalent
• Pure research projects
• Standard content development or simple digitization of existing content
• Mental health or well-being programs for the workforce (non-vocational)
• Projects in schools unless demonstrating specific workplace skills provision to those aged 16+ with identifiable employer need
• Speculative technologies developed in isolation from user groups
• Incremental improvements (must demonstrate step change)
• Ideas with no potential for scale or transformational change

Budget Items:

• Organizational overheads
• Capital costs of buildings

Geographic Restrictions:

• Only funds projects directly benefiting UK vocational learners
• Beneficiaries must be in the UK (not preparing to come)

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees Chair: Dominic Gill

Co-founder of Franklin Apprenticeships and member of Digital Route Panel for IfATE, ESFA's Apprenticeships Stakeholder Board, and City & Guilds Industry Skills Board. He aims to empower people of all backgrounds to achieve their full potential through careers in digital technology.

Vice-Chair: Paolo Fresia

Chief Executive Officer: Rebecca Garrod-Waters (since 2014)

Has a background in technology and innovation policy and economic development spanning public, private, and third sectors. Rebecca states: “We are excited to be opening this round of VocTech Seed grant funding and to see the different tech ideas that people have to tackle the challenges facing learners, employers and educators today.”

Finance Director: Gabrielle Smith

Director of Ufi Ventures: Helen Gironi

Head of Communications: Thomas Heiser

Day-to-day management sits with the executive team led by Rebecca Garrod-Waters, while overarching responsibility rests with the Board of Trustees.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online via the MyUfi portal (accessible at www.ufi.co.uk). Once registered, applicants can log in, access the application form, save drafts, and return at any time while the funding round is open.

Two-Stage Process:

• Stage 1: Initial application reviewed by expert panel
• Stage 2: By invitation only following success at Stage 1
• Final funding decisions made by Ufi Board of Trustees

Pre-Application Support:

• Workshops run during application windows
• Opportunity to ask questions and discuss ideas with Ufi team
• Network with other applicants
• Contact info@ufi.co.uk for assistance

Decision Timeline

VocTech Activate (typical timeline):

• Applications open: Early January
• Stage 1 deadline: Early February (5pm GMT)
• Stage 1 feedback: End of February
• Stage 2 deadline: Mid-March (5pm GMT)
• Final decisions: Mid-May

Total Timeline: Approximately 3-4 months from Stage 1 submission to final decision

Notification: Feedback provided to all Stage 1 applicants (broad overview) and more detailed feedback to Stage 2 applicants

Success Rates

Specific numerical success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, Ufi's grants team states: “Applicants who join one of our workshops are much more likely to succeed.”

Not everyone who progresses to Stage 2 receives funding, indicating competitive selection even at the final stage.

Reapplication Policy

• Broad feedback provided to unsuccessful Stage 1 applicants
• Detailed feedback available to unsuccessful Stage 2 applicants
• Organizations that have completed a previous Ufi project can apply to new funding calls, provided the new project objectives are distinct from previous work
• Ufi does not have a “funding ladder” - each new application is assessed on its own merits
• No explicit restriction on unsuccessful applicants reapplying to future rounds

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from Ufi

“Applicants who attend pre-application workshops are much more likely to succeed.”

From Rebecca Garrod-Waters, CEO:

• “If you are, or know of, a vocational learning provider with an idea for how technology can be used to deliver fast results for its learners through online means, we want to hear from you.”
• "Ufi's mission is in vocational learning, particularly ensuring that the most disadvantaged in society have access to learning."

Key Success Factors

1. Demonstrate Strong User Connections

All successful applicants have established links with their user group and teams already have the trust of users willing to share their real lived experiences.

2. Read All Guidance Carefully

Ufi publishes extensive guidance about their aims and requirements. Review:

• Fund criteria and FAQs on their website
• Use the Eligibility Checker tool
• Their strategy and delivery plan
• Grant Terms & Conditions (non-negotiable)

3. Review Past Projects

The VocTech Directory shows projects funded in previous years, providing context for what Ufi supports.

4. Focus on Quality Over Quantity

One good application is better than several mediocre ones.

5. Show Sustainability and Scalability

Demonstrate clear route to market and vision for future success beyond grant period.

6. Demonstrate Step Change, Not Incremental Improvement

Projects must represent transformational change in how vocational learning happens, not just minor improvements.

7. Focus on Vocational Learning

Non-vocational ideas (well-being, general mental/physical health support) are unlikely to succeed. The focus must be on skills for work.

Recent Funded Projects (Examples)

• Bristol Braille Technology CIC: Braille reader improving access to STEM for adults who are blind or partially sighted (Bronze Award winner at 2023 Learning Technologies Awards)
• Care Reality (FLO platform): Immersive learning environment for time-poor care workers
• Hull College AI Translate: Live translation in multiple languages to build vocational language skills during digital and construction courses
• Projects addressing barriers neurodivergent adults face in manufacturing qualifications
• Projects tackling under-representation of learners from disadvantaged groups in tech sector
• Projects addressing lack of trained workers for net zero ambitions

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Applying for non-vocational projects
• Proposing incremental improvements rather than step change
• Lacking established user connections
• Not attending pre-application workshops
• Ignoring eligibility criteria
• Including non-fundable budget items (overheads, capital costs)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Attend workshops: This is explicitly stated to significantly increase success rates. Make time for pre-application sessions.

1. Focus on vocational skills for work: Ufi's mission centers on adult vocational learning (16+), especially for disadvantaged groups. Projects must demonstrate clear connection to employability and workplace skills.

1. Demonstrate transformational change: Incremental improvements won't succeed. Show how your technology represents a step change in vocational learning delivery.

1. Have established user relationships: Don't apply with speculative ideas developed in isolation. Successful applicants already have trust and connections with their target user group.

1. Show route to market and sustainability: Ufi values projects with clear vision for scale and success beyond the grant period. Demonstrate how your project will achieve transformational change across the UK.

1. Use the two-stage process strategically: Stage 1 is the gateway to Stage 2. Take time to craft a compelling initial application and incorporate feedback if invited to Stage 2.

1. Leverage the VocTech ecosystem: Successful applicants gain access to networking, expertise, and the broader VocTech community. Position your project to benefit from and contribute to this ecosystem.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Wolfson Foundation
• The Percy Bilton Charity
• The Green Hall Foundation
• CABWI AWARDING BODY
• Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851
• Jill and Norman Franklin Trust
• Comic Relief (Charity Projects)
• Educational Opportunity Foundation
• The Lovington Foundation
• The Centre for Financial Capability

References

• Ufi VocTech Trust official website: https://ufi.co.uk/
• Charity Commission register entry for Ufi VocTech Trust (Charity No. 1081028): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1081028
• VocTech Activate Grant Fund information: https://ufi.co.uk/grant-funding/voctech-activate/
• VocTech Challenge Impact Network + Grant Fund: https://ufi.co.uk/grant-funding/voctech-challenge/
• Ufi Grant Funding FAQs: https://ufi.co.uk/grant-funding/faqs/
• “8 ways to increase your chances of a successful grant fund application”: https://ufi.co.uk/latest/tips-for-a-successful-grant-application/
• “Announcing the £900k VocTech Activate 2024 grant fund”: https://ufi.co.uk/news-insights/announcing-the-900k-voctech-activate-2024-grant-fund/
• “Ufi announce £1.5m of grant funding offers to 14 organisations”: https://ufi.co.uk/latest/ufi-announce-offers-of-voctech-challenge-funding/
• About the team - Rebecca Garrod-Waters: https://ufi.co.uk/who-we-are/team/rebecca-garrod-waters/
• Trustees - Dominic Gill: https://ufi.co.uk/who-we-are/trustees/dominic-gill/
• “Six Ufi-supported organisations reach finals of the Learning Technologies Awards 2023”: https://ufi.co.uk/news-insights/six-ufi-supported-organisations-reach-finals-of-the-learning-technologies-awards-2023/
• Contact Us page: https://ufi.co.uk/contact-us/
• Learndirect Wikipedia entry (historical context): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_for_Industry