AI Skills Initiative Aims to Train 20% of UK Workforce by 2030
New AI skills initiative, the UK AI Skills Drive has been launched to provide essential AI training to 7.5 million UK workers, which accounts for one-fifth of the workforce. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle chaired discussions on June 13 with companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and others to launch the initiative.
These talks focused on identifying future skills gaps and improving access to training. Memoranda of understanding were also drafted to ensure regular reviews of progress. Plans include modular upskilling that spans sectors ranging from healthcare to manufacturing and finance.
AI Boom Drives Urgent Need for Worker Upskilling
The government estimates that around 10 million workers will use AI tools daily by 2035, justifying the ambitious training agenda. Microsoft alone pledged to upskill one million employees before year-end, while IBM, SAS and Sage will supply resources via their SkillsBuild and digital platforms.
Major tech firms welcomed the collaboration as essential for productivity and inclusion. Accenture, AWS, and BT emphasised that mass upskilling will spur innovation in small businesses and support regional growth. Industry leaders also warned that entry-level roles have fallen by 30 per cent since 2022 due to AI adoption, reinforcing the need for rapid reskilling.
Asked for Increased Oversight
Despite these advances, critics note that deploying AI in public sectors—such as healthcare, justice, and welfare—poses risks related to bias and accountability. Calls for stronger oversight have accompanied plans to expand digital regulation and reconfigure the Alan Turing Institute’s remit toward sovereign AI systems .
The UK has seen over £44 billion in AI-related investment since January, creating more than 13,000 jobs tied to the AI Opportunities Action Plan. If successful, the national skills drive could double long-term economic growth through the adoption of generative AI and digital innovation.
UK Steps Up AI Training to Close Skills Gap and Protect Jobs
A modest proportion of training is passive, relying on online modules by IBM and others. However, the majority involves active engagement through workshops or employer-led bootcamps.
In the year ahead, ministers and tech partners aim to close the AI skills gap while avoiding unintended consequences in public services. Structured oversight and joined-up digital regulation are being prioritised to ensure the benefits reach all regions.
The UK AI Skills Drive marks a significant step toward equipping workers with future-proof skills as AI reshapes employment landscapes, particularly for graduates, apprentices, and older employees.
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