ETIH Innovation Awards: Workforce and Industry shortlist shows education and employment aligning
Platforms connecting learning with real-world roles show how partnerships are shaping workforce outcomes.
As part of our ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 category spotlight series, we are taking a closer look at the categories shaping this year’s inaugural awards. With over 140 entries submitted, the breadth and quality of innovation across the EdTech sector has been clear.
This category recognizes platforms that connect learners with employers, support workplace training, or embed industry-aligned content into education pathways, with winners set to be announced on May 11.
Where learning connects directly to workforce demand
This category focuses on how platforms are bridging the gap between education and employment. Submissions include tools supporting workplace training, industry-aligned learning pathways, and employer collaboration across sectors.
Judges are assessing the depth and quality of these partnerships, alongside how effectively platforms translate learning into real-world skills. This includes whether content reflects current workforce needs, how learners engage with industry-relevant experiences, and whether outcomes such as employability or progression are clearly evidenced.
There is also a focus on scalability and practical delivery. Strong entries demonstrate that collaboration is embedded into how the platform operates, not added as a layer. Solutions are expected to show measurable outcomes for both learners and employers, while remaining usable across different environments without creating unnecessary complexity.
Finalists
Dawn Foods transformed training by working with Attensi to introduce game-based SKILLS solutions. As well as achieving more engaging and impactful training modules, they maximised efficiency – critically important as a time poor team. They successfully adopted Attensi’s AI CREATOR co-pilot to produce superior learning content delivered within hours as opposed to the weeks it took prior to the technology partnership. Attensi AI Co-pilot, generates gamified content and simulations including voice-overs. Furthermore, the AI assistant acts as a mentor colleague – helping employees upskill and become exceptional creators. Simply adopting Ai is not enough to make true transformations. Dawn foods showcases how strategic AI adoption transforms workplaces into a new era of hybrid working – true human/AI collaboration.
Brarista is AI built by lingerie professionals — the world's first bra-fitting platform for lingerie retail.
90% of consumers wear the wrong size bra, flooding support teams and driving returns. Generic chatbots can't solve this — they don't understand the nuances of bra fitting: cup shape, band tension, projection, how fit varies across brands and styles.
Brarista does. Think of it as a bra fitter, stylist, and product educator in one tool. Fit AI for sizing. Style AI for personalised recommendations. Care AI for multilingual support and breast care education.
Expert fitting, democratised at scale.
Learna | Diploma MSc is a global online provider of postgraduate medical education, addressing barriers faced by busy healthcare professionals, including time constraints, isolation, and returning to study. Its flexible, asynchronous platform, developed in partnership with the University of South Wales and University of Buckingham, enables accessible, high-quality learning worldwide. With over 10,000 alumni and 500+ expert faculty, Learna fosters industry collaboration and career progression, with 70% of graduates increasing salaries. Innovations around enhanced online student support have reduced attrition and improved engagement. Strong academic partnerships, global reach, and measurable outcomes demonstrate Learna’s impact as a scalable, student-centred workforce and industry collaboration platform.
SkillsVR is redefining workforce development through immersive virtual reality. Its platform enables employers, educators, and governments to co-design realistic, scenario-based training that builds confidence, competence, and employability on a scale. In partnership with the New Zealand Ministry of Social Development and Department of Corrections, SkillsVR delivers measurable outcomes in job readiness and rehabilitation. Globally, collaborations with EY, Bank of America, the University of Miami, Bunnings Warehouse, and Northwell Health showcase how VR transforms learning across sectors, from safety and logistics to healthcare and education, turning continuous learning into tangible, data-driven workforce performance.
Explore the full shortlist
You can explore the full ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 shortlist to see the companies and platforms shaping this year’s awards. Winners will be announced on May 11.
