The £187 million investment will reach students, workers and communities.
The UK government has announced a ‘TechFirst’ programme to drive up digital and AI skills in preparation for the careers of the future.
The £187 million investment, backed by major technology companies such as Google and Microsoft, will reach classrooms and communities to ‘train up people of all ages and backgrounds.’
The AI sector is growing quickly and, in 10 years’ time, is predicted to be worth more than £800 billion. However, it will only achieve this with investment into people and skills – and the government wants 7.5 million workers to have these by 2030.
For schools
The government will invest £24 million in the ‘TechYouth’ part of the programme and intends to reach 1 million students over a three-year period. It will be available for students of all backgrounds and focus on technology skills, training and careers. The additional ‘CyberFirst’ platform will ‘bring together learning tools and training opportunities in a streamlined accessible space.’
The 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.
“This programme is the Plan for Change in action – breaking down barriers, driving innovation, and giving every young person the chance of a good, well-paid job and a bright future.”
