Last Updated on: 22nd November 2023, 02:22 pm
FuturU, an education technology leader, is aiming to solve the global staffing crisis through free online training for nurses and care professionals. CEO of FuturU, Michael Manuccia, spoke to the Newcross Voice of Care Podcast about the organisation’s plans to reduce the cost of training, improve quality and utilise new technologies.
Manuccia told listeners the story of a woman wanting to become a paramedic, but unable to afford the training costs. He said: “I asked, ‘Well, why haven’t you done it?’ She said, ‘Cost and I’ve got bills to pay. I’ve got two kids, I would work nights and weekends to be able to do that. But I can’t make it a reality’.”
Manuccia explained how FuturU aims to make this dream a reality: “Our approach is, let’s use technology to bring down the cost, to bring up the quality because it’s stuff that we wouldn’t have been able to do even five years ago and make people that are already willing to put their lives on hold to get a credential, get a certification to work in care. Give them the opportunity to follow through on that dream and then bring that energy into the workforce.”
He also mentioned the government announcement cutting social care training funding from £500 million to £250 million and the need to “try something that’s a little bit out there.”
FuturU has already provided free courses on basic life support and airway management, and has seen a 30% growth in users since coming out of beta. Manuccia said: “The biggest thing that I’m really excited about and that I’ve heard from a lot of nurses and carers is the best learning that you get is training on the job. But it’s kind of random. It depends on who’s on the shift that day and what happens and how you’ll see how they interact with care recipients, how they interact with the staff, how they get to good outcomes.”
The podcast episode featuring Michael Manuccia is available now on various platforms including YouTube, Apple, Spotify and the Newcross Healthcare website. To find out more about FuturU and access courses free of charge, visit: https://futuru.ai/.
