#169 – New Models to Connect Talent and Training

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Welcome to the next episode of The Voctech Podcast: learning continued series, a new series from the makers of The Edtech Podcast, supported by Ufi Charitable Trust and Ufi Ventures. You can follow the conversation using #voctechpodcast and #voctech.
What’s in this episode?
Beam is the world’s first crowdfunding platform that helps people from disadvantaged backgrounds train up and get into rewarding work. In this weeks episode, we talk to Beam’s CEO, Alex Stephany, about crowdfunding for social good, and the importance of grit, alongside training, education and support networks.
We also run the first of our FE features where our presenter, Ian Hurd, is in conversation with Rory Meredith, Head Of School for Creative Industries at Coleg y Cymoedd and Visiting Lecturer at the University of South Wales. Ian and Rory talk about VR for teacher observation, the skills priority programme in Wales, and what it’s like to attend the Singularity University leadership programme on exponential technologies. You’ll also hear about why setting up a crazy department to incubate creative ideas might be one of the best ways to future-proof education.
People
Sophie Bailey is the Founder and Presenter of The Edtech Podcast

Sophie is the founder of the iTunes new and noteworthy, The Edtech Podcast. The mission of The Edtech Podcast is to improve the dialogue between ‘ed’ and ‘tech’ for better innovation, through storytelling. The podcast is downloaded 2000+ times a week, from over 145 countries with the UK, US & Aus in the top 3. Sophie is a mentor and advisor within the edtech community. If she’s not interviewing a University Lecturer, School Leader, Ex-Angry Bird, NGO, or Investor about education innovation, she’s chasing her son around the park or binge-reading Homo Deus. Twitter: @podcastedtech
Alex Stephany, Founder and CEO at Beam

Alex is an entrepreneur and author based in London where he has watched with sadness the growing problem of homelessness. Before Beam, Alex ran the parking app, JustPark, which he grew from 2 to over 40 people and still supports as a Board Advisor. At JustPark, he had his first experience of crowdfunding when he led a record-breaking equity crowdfunding round – this was the largest crowdfunding round for a startup in history. Alex is also on the board of a crowdfunding platform for civic improvements called Spacehive. He has thought quite a lot about collaborative platforms and how we can solve social problems with them. Alex is the author of a book on the sharing economy called The Business of Sharing, published by Macmillan and has also advised the city of Seoul as part of the Mayor’s Sharing Economy Advisory Panel. Twitter: @AlexStephany
Rory Meredith, Head Of School for Creative Industries at Coleg y Cymoedd and Visiting Lecturer at the University of South Wales

Rory is a man of many talents with a fascinating career. He began his career in the music industry as singer/songwriter and guitarist. In 2002, he collaborated with singer/songwriter Katherine Davies, in New York, and they started a project, known as Sugar Rush. After catching the eye of legendary Producer Manager Sandy Roberton, Sugar Rush released their debut album “Beautiful But Tragic” on LA indie label Beverly Martel Music late 2006 which led Rory to become a client on the roster of LA based Worldsend Producer Management 2006-08.
The past few years have seen Rory return to Wales to build his own production company, expressly aimed at developing talented writers/composers/producers improve their chances of success in the music industry. He also lectures part-time on the MA in Songwriting and Production at University of South Wales and Music Technology at Coleg Y Cymoedd, helping music students acquire professional songwriting, recording and production skills.
Ian Hurd, Reporter and Presenter at The Edtech Podcast

Ian is a reporter and presenter for The Edtech Podcast. His focus is on Further Education. Ian has a fascination with the concept of creativity and has a blog coming soon with a focus on developing soft skills.
Quotes from this episode



References from this week’s episode
- UFI Charitable Trust
- Alex Stephany
- Beam
- Ian Hurd
- Alex Stephany’s Book: The Business of Sharing
- JustPark
- Getaround
- Airbnb
- Careers at Beam – contact mailto:careers@beam.org
- Book – Grit
- Raise money for Beam
- Rory Meredith
- Coleg Y Cymoedd
- University of South Wales
- Kanda CooCam 360 camera
- Skills Priority Programmes, Wales
- Singularity University Executive Programme
- Peter Diamandis
- Dr. Ray Kurzweii
- Speakpipe.com/theedtechpodcast

Thank you to Ufi Charitable Trust & Ufi Ventures
The Voctech Podcast Series is produced by The Edtech Podcast and supported by Ufi Charitable Trust and Ufi Ventures.
Tell us where you are listening in from
We’d love to hear about innovative technology or approaches you are developing or using in adult education. Leave your stories in the comments below. Alternately, record a quick free voicemail via speakpipe for inclusion in the next episode. Finally, you can post your thoughts or follow-on links via twitter @podcastedtech or via The Edtech Podcast Facebook page.