The AI Upskilling Fund is a pilot scheme launched by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Professional Business Services sector.
The fund, totaling £7.4 million, aims to subsidise the cost of AI skills training for employees, with £6.4 million available as grant funding. This initiative is designed to address the AI skills gap in the UK workforce by incentivising businesses to invest in AI training.
The training helps employees develop technical skills and understanding of AI, enabling them to develop, deploy, or use AI in their roles.
To apply for the AI Upskilling Fund, businesses must be registered and operate in the UK, employ between 1 to 249 employees, and be classified as an SME.
The application process involves submitting details about the business and the proposed AI training. Eligible businesses can receive funding for up to 50% of the training costs. The fund aims to stimulate employer investment in AI training, thereby increasing AI adoption and productivity within the sector.
See the link below for the list of accrediting bodies – No 2: An organisation that proves they operate within the field of AI or data science