Flexible AI Upskilling Fund pilot: Expression of Interest
The Flexible AI Upskilling Fund pilot scheme will support small and medium-sized enterprises in the Professional and Business Services sector by match-funding AI skills training for their employees.
Documents
Details
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) recently announced a £7.4 million pilot scheme to subsidise the cost of AI skills training for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Professional Business Services (PBS) sector.
£6.4 million of grant funding is available in the financial year 2024-2025.
Through this pilot programme, eligible business can apply for funding for up to 50% of the cost of AI skills training. This is training which supports employees to develop their technical skills and/or understanding of AI to be able to develop, deploy, or use AI in their role.
Objectives of the programme
The flexible AI upskilling fund pilot aims to increase AI adoption and productivity by incentivising greater employer-led investment in skills and training.
This pilot programme will test whether training SMEs in AI maximises the value of AI adoption . Specifically, whether government support in the form of match-funding is an effective way of increasing employer-led upskilling in AI, and whether increased skills translate into AI adoption and firm-level productivity benefits.
Artificial Intelligence holds huge opportunities to drive productivity and prosperity across the UK economy. It has the potential to increase UK GDP by up to 10.3% by 2030 – the equivalent of an additional £232 billion - and businesses who adopt AI are more likely to be successful than those that do not.
But evidence shows that a lack of AI skills in businesses is hindering AI adoption, in part due to low investment in AI upskilling in UK businesses, particularly in smaller companies.
Eligibility
The funding competition will be open to applicants who are:
- registered and operate in the UK
- employ between 1-249 employees in the UK
- defined as an SME per the SME Action Plan
- have been operating for at least 1 year
- able to match-fund 50% of the cost of the training
- operate in the Professional and Business Services (PBS) sector (see the guidance attached for definition)
Additional eligibility and full application criteria will be set out when the funding competition opens in May.
Expression of Interest
£6.4 million of grant funding is available, and eligible businesses will be able to apply for funding when applications open in on 1 May.
If you are interested in applying to the programme, please register for the Expression of Interest through Find A Grant website.
You can also register for the pre-launch information Q&A on 16 April through Eventbrite here.
The Expression of Interest (EoI) is for planning purposes only and to allow us to assess demand for the programme. Expressing interest at this stage does not advantage a potential applicant and failing to express interest does not preclude a business from being able to apply for funding when the applications open. By expressing interest, you will be kept informed of the latest updates and developments regarding the programme.
Training providers
Training providers can also register their interest via this form.
We will use this data to keep you updated on the launch of the scheme, including providing more information on the eligibility of training, application process and when the competition window opens.
Background
This pilot scheme is funded through the £37.5 million Labour Market Evaluations and Pilots Fund, announced by the Chancellor at Spring Budget 2023 to continue to build the evidence base on the effectiveness of policies to improve labour market outcomes.
Last updated 3 April 2024 + show all updates
-
Information added for training providers to register their interest to get updates on the pilot. Expression of Interest for training providers privacy notice published.
-
First published.