NextWork raises $2.3m to upskill displaced workers

Educational technology startup NextWork is poised to assist workforces displaced by AI and emerging technologies by providing a platform for rapid upskilling. Remarkably, this platform self-adapts to each learner, ensuring that every user experiences a unique combination of content that evolves as the app adjusts to individual learning preferences.

The firm recently raised $2.3 million in a Pre-seed round led by GD1. Blackbird, Ice House, Phase One Ventures, and the founders of Eucalyptus also participated. The initial focus rests on launching a highly scalable AWS (Amazon Web Services) Certification course aimed at those with no technical experience. Currently, free registration is available for this entry-level course. NextWork's ambitious aim is to upskill 1,000 students by June this year. Notably, the innovative firm is led by a 25-year-old female founder.

NextWork differentiates itself from the standard 'cookie cutter' learning solutions on the market. The startup takes a fresh approach to learning, offering personalised journeys for students eager to upskill and improve their earning potential in the face of a rapidly digitising future. This comes after NextWork's AWS certification delivered a near 100% pass rate among initial students. For a limited period, this certification course is free for 1,000 aspirants.

"AI and technology are accelerating our productivity daily. For many adult learners, the traditional approach of full-time studies isn't feasible because of family obligations or existing careers," says Founder Amber Joseph. "Online learning as we know it isn't working, and at worst, it's exacerbating the technology skills gap. It's never been more critical to pursue education in this area." Determining which courses are valid and institutionally credible is a challenge, she added.

Joseph believes that easy-to-understand, human-friendly training is vital to prevent learners from falling behind. NextWork has, therefore, built a personalised platform that puts learners in control over both their pace and preferred learning method. "Our aim is to empower learners to forge a career that suits them whilst ensuring they can earn a sustainable wage," says Joseph.

The Co-Managing Partner at GD1, John Kells, acknowledged that many platforms claim to provide personalisation or self-paced learning. However, most of them fall short as their content remains static, placing the burden on learners to merely slow down. He commended NextWork for surpassing these existing models to provide a distinct, adaptive learning experience.

While the platform's potential to swiftly upskill today's workforce is promising, there remain barriers to resourcing. NextWork's recent funding is set to tackle these through major growth and an expansion of the courses available.

"The current system doesn't upskill people quickly enough to adapt to the rapidly changing world of work. We aim to recruit 1,000 participants into tech as soon as possible to demonstrate that our approach is superior when it comes to large-scale learning for non-technical candidates," Joseph stated.

NextWork has recognised a critical gap in the market for those looking to transition into tech without previous experience. Traditional courses often exclude individuals with existing commitments, causing many to leave after their first training hour. "Our AWS certification course has been designed with this in mind, resulting in participants seeing an average salary increase of $20k," explained Amber.

Applications are now available for the first official cohort of NextWork's free AWS certification course. Studies will commence in the second half of the year and will be self-paced. "We're ready and excited to redefine the learning experience as we take this course global," concluded Joseph.