The AI Upskilling Fund will support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by match-funding AI skills training for their employees.
Name in original language
AI Upskilling Fund
Initiative overview
The UK government announced a £7.4 million pilot scheme to subsidise the cost of AI skills training for SMEs in the Professional Business Services sector. Of this, £6.4 million of grant funding is available. This pilot is funded through the £37.5 million Labour Market Evaluations and Pilots fund (LMEP), announced by the Chancellor at Spring Budget 2023.Eligible businesses can apply for up to 50% of the cost of AI skills training. This training should support employees to develop their technical skills and/or understanding of AI, helping them develop, deploy, or use AI in their role.Evidence shows that a lack of AI skills in businesses is hindering AI adoption, in part due to low investment in AI upskilling by UK businesses. This is particularly true in smaller companies. The pilot aims to increase AI adoption and productivity by incentivising greater employer-led investment in skills and training. Eligible businesses could apply for funding for up to 50% of the cost of AI skills training and other AI upskilling activities. The training should support employees to develop their technical skills and/or understanding of AI, helping them develop, deploy, or use AI in their role.Specifically, the objectives of the pilot are to:(1) Stimulate employer investment in AI training.(2) Address AI skills gaps in the UK workforce that are limiting AI adoption.(3) Measure the impact of AI upskilling on business productivity and outcomes.
Name of responsible organisation (in English)
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)
