The VocTech Challenge aims to accelerate the adoption and deployment of technology to help every adult in the UK get the skills they need to participate in and benefit from our transitioning economy.

The programme includes three strands of work:

1. Discovery and define phase (complete)
2. Place-based partnerships delivery phase (ongoing)
3. Thought leadership and advocacy (ongoing)

Discovery and define phase

In 2023, L&W led on a programme of consultation activity to explore key barriers to adults upskilling and reskilling for an economy in transition. As part of this, we published two reports:

• VocTech Challenge Green Paper – exploring how we can create a UK skills system, underpinned by tech, that delivers a sustainable UK economy where everyone is included and no one is left behind

• VocTech Challenge White paper – identifying the barriers that contribute to low levels of participation in adult learning in the UK, and six commitments aimed at getting more adults learning.

Take a look at our blog series published during the discovery and define phase:

Place-based partnerships delivery phase

Ufi has funded four place-based partnerships to implement digital learning solutions that meet challenges in their local area.

L&W is evaluating activity in Hull, Belfast, Aberdeen and Newport.

Read more about the place-based partnerships on the Ufi website.

Catch up on our latest blogs about the place-based partnerships:

Thought leadership and advocacy

L&W and Ufi are collaborating to grow the evidence base on and showcase how adults learn with technology. This includes:

• Specific questions relating to learning with technology in L&W’s Adult Participation in Learning survey
• Ufi’s sponsorship of L&W’s Get the Nation Learning campaign, including a Learning with technology award and supporting Get the Nation Learning Week