Promoting the Flexible AI Upskilling Fund pilot

On 1 May DSIT launched the Flexible AI Upskilling Fund pilot, a grant scheme which subsidises the cost for SMEs to procure AI skills training with the expectation this will result in increased employer investment in AI upskilling and AI adoption. We would be grateful for your support in promoting the fund and encouraging businesses in your areas to apply.

Specifically:

Promoting the Fund: Uptake of the Fund is essential to its success. Please help us spread awareness among the SMEs you engage with and your wider network, including encouraging them to apply. For example, sending a newsletter or mass-email, hosting a webinar or including the Fund on your website. To facilitate this, we have created a stakeholder toolkit containing relevant information and key talking points. DSIT officials are also on hand to support your comms and outreach. Your support in promoting this initiative will contribute significantly to upskilling the workforce and fostering innovation.

Curating a list of training providers:  The scheme gives SMEs significant flexibility in choosing the training provider that works for them. As such, DSIT has not created a list of training providers. Instead, we have set broad eligibility criteria (see here). As organisations who have close relationships with a range of training providers, we invite you to curate and publish a list of providers who you assess meet our eligibility criteria. Your assessment and recommendations will play a crucial role in ensuring that SMEs have access to high-quality training programs aligned with their needs. You can support businesses with identifying the relevant skill sets and training using the AI Skills for Business Competency Framework.

If you have any queries regarding the fund, please email either [email protected]. You can direct interested businesses towards [email protected] if they have questions around the application.