Catch22, Ufi VocTech Trust and the Social Tech Trust launch new amplifier in bid to improve employment prospects for young people

The Social Tech Amplifier, launched today, is set to mobilise the power and energy of tech ventures in public service delivery to help young people access jobs and navigate the future of work.

Delivered in partnership by Catch22, Ufi VocTech Trust and the Social Tech Trust, and supported by Hatch and Microsoft, the Amplifier is inviting ventures to apply for the programme, where they’ll receive support to scale their ideas.

David Hinton, Catch22’s Project Lead for the Social Tech Amplifier, said:

“At Catch22, we have an ambitious agenda for driving reform in delivering public services, we are increasingly adopting innovations in tackling the injustices faced by young people in the labour market.

Through this exciting new partnership we will be drawing on our shared networks, expertise and resources to accelerate the most promising ventures innovating in this space.

We are excited to be working with ventures who have the potential to transform the youth employment system with solutions which are both impactful and commercially sustainable.

Our experience tells us that there are significant opportunities to drive reform by supporting ventures in this way; ventures we supported through our previous Incubate, Accelerate, Amplify programme won public sector contracts to the value of £21m and continue to drive innovation in public service delivery.”

Those ventures who are successful in applying to be part of the Social Trust Amplifier will receive support with:

Louise Rowland, Deputy CEO, Ufi VocTech Trust said:

“Digital technology has a crucial role to play in opening-up opportunities for skill development, access to employment and progression in the workplace – the core focus of our work at Ufi. We’re very proud to be a partner in the Social Tech Amplifier, supporting new ventures to scale and transforming the employment prospects of young people.”

Chris Blues, Programme Director at the Social Tech Trust, said:

“Technology can be a powerful tool for addressing the world’s biggest challenges. The Social Tech Amplifier will truly supercharge young people’s employment prospects through scaling impact tech ventures.

“We know all know that talent is evenly distributed, yet opportunity is not. The Social Tech Amplifier will showcase how we can create a world where social transformation is the driving force behind tech and nurture solutions that have a deep-rooted impact on young people’s lives.”

Those interested are invited to join a webinar on Monday 10th October, 11am to find out more: register here.

Applications close Friday 21st October 2022 at midday.

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About the partners

Catch22 is a charity and social business, working to build resilience and aspiration in people and communities. We are committed to tackling the issues of youth employment – and supporting young people, particular those facing barriers to work, into sustainable roles.

Ufi VocTech Trust is an independent charity that champions the power of technology to improve skills for work and deliver better outcomes for all. We provide funding and expertise to organisations across the UK that are developing digital technologies to support skills for work.

The Social Tech Trust is committed to changing lives through technology, and have backed hundreds of tech ventures over the last decade.

We’re working with Hatch and Microsoft whose products and expertise will enhance the skills of our ventures – providing them with access to relevant software, guidance and mentorship.