Today marks the launch of the government’s TechFirst programme, a £187m initiative to bring digital skills and AI learning into classrooms and communities to train people of all ages and backgrounds for future tech careers.
It comes as research commissioned by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) shows that by 2035, around 10 million workers will be in roles where AI will be part of their role or responsibilities in some form, with a further 3.9 million in roles directly in AI.
The flagship strand of this programme, TechYouth – backed by £24 million of government funding – will give one million students over three years across every secondary school in the UK the chance to learn about technology and gain access to new skills training and career opportunities.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “We are putting the power of AI into the hands of the next generation – so they can shape the future, not be shaped by it.
“This training programme will unlock opportunity in every classroom – and lays the foundations for a new era of growth. Too many children from working families like the one I grew up in are written off.
“I am determined to end that.”
TechFirst will also support over 4,000 graduates, researchers, and innovators through three additional strands; TechGrad (£96.8m), TechExpert (£48.4m) and TechLocal (£18m).
Alongside TechFirst, the government has unveiled a government-industry partnership to train 7.5 million UK workers in essential skills to use AI by 2030, equivalent to around 20% of the UK workforce.
Leading technology companies including Google, Microsoft and IBM have signed up to the partnership.
Training will focus on enabling workers to use and interact with AI systems such as chatbots and large language models to boost productivity across a wide range of roles.
Sector-specific training will also be developed to meet the needs of industries from healthcare to finance to manufacturing.
These companies will meet Technology Secretary Peter Kyle this week to discuss how to meet the 2030 target, agree a terms of reference and will convene regularly to track progress.
Darren Hardman, chief executive of Microsoft UK, spoke of the partnership: “Artificial Intelligence represents a generational opportunity, already transforming the way we live, work, and innovate.
“For the UK to remain globally competitive, we have to equip people with the skills they need to be successful in an AI-powered economy.
“Microsoft is proud to be playing its part, by training one million people with AI skills this year, and by supporting millions more through this new initiative.”
This launch follows the Department for Education’s announcement of the board members for Skills England, a new body which will work with employers and local leaders to shape training policy and delivery.
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