Ventures Workertech newsletter: May 2021 The latest update from Resolution Ventures 21 May 2021 by Emma Selinger Emma Selinger Welcome to the first edition of the Workertech Newsletter from Resolution Ventures. We’re delighted to be reaching out to everyone in our Workertech community. The Workertech community exists to convene workers, unions, investors, employers, policymakers and researchers using technology to change the world of work for the better for those in low-paid and precarious employment. The Workertech partnership is backed by a coalition of partners: Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Ufi VocTech Trust, Accenture, Friends Provident and Trust for London. We’ll be coming to your inbox every month to share updates from our social investment partnership, labour market insights from the Resolution Foundation, and great content, events and opportunities from the broader world of Workertech. To find out more about applying for investment from the Workertech partnership, visit our website. Emma Ventures Manager, Resolution Ventures Latest insights from the Resolution Foundation Shock absorbers – How can innovation address financial resilience for people in low-paid work, given the economic shocks of the Covid-19 crisis, and what do we need to be doing to support the growth of new ideas? A U-shaped crisis – What impact has Covid-19 had on older workers, and how can we design support to help older people get back into work? Uneven steps – What does the labour market look like for young people since the onset of Covid-19, and what can we do to support progression for younger workers? Workertech stories Amazon drivers have landed safer working conditions by utilising Organise, a digital campaigning platform backed by Resolution Ventures. This story highlights the effectiveness of tech to facilitate collective action, with the campaign attracing national media coverage including an exclusive BBC Newsnight investigation. The Institute for the Future of Work explored how algorithms have reshaped the working lives of millions of people in Britain. Findings highlight the increasing use of algorithms to monitor productivity and influence behaviour in low-paid work, with significant costs to worker well-being. The Wellcome Trust put science to work to discover how best to improve mental health in the office. Workplace practices linked to improved mental health include greater autonomy and flexible working options. The Department for Education tendered for a new skills taxonomy and algorithm to map skills shortages and inform training provision across the country. It’s been met with debate from experts on whether this kind of tool can keep up with a fast-changing labour market. Ufi VocTech Trust highlighted how technology can support manufacturing workers to develop their knowledge and skills. Sempai, a Ufi backed venture, has created a proof of concept that upskills manufacturing workers on the job through a mix of digital microlearning, videos, photos, simulations and skills diagnostics. Get involved Apply for direct investment from Resolution Ventures. We accept applications from Workertech ventures on a rolling basis. Apply for Bethnal Green Ventures’ Tech for Good Accelerator. Applications are open until 13 June, with pre-application Q&A sessions available through the link. Workertech portfolio venture Organise is hiring for roles across their business. See more details here.
