Four training projects in Barnsley will share more than £800,000 to teach practical artificial intelligence (AI) skills to care staff, builders, small businesses and women returning to work.
Funded through the AI Upskilling Challenge Fund, the schemes include mobile training units from Barnsley College for hospital and social care staff. Atheni will help 140 people at six manufacturing, engineering and construction firms use AI for quotes, tenders and safety paperwork.
Meanwhile, Fossu (Ignite AI) will run programmes for 100 residents, while Optimise Cyber Solutions will support 20 small businesses to adopt AI safely.
The pilots form part of Barnsley's Tech Town initiative, launched in February, which the Government hopes could become a national blueprint. AI Minister Kanishka Narayan said: ‘I know people are worried about what AI could mean for their careers. As this technology changes workplaces, the government will not leave people to navigate this new era alone.’
Cllr Luke Wheat, Barnsley Council’s Cabinet spokesperson for Regeneration and Assets, said: ‘These four projects will help people build confidence and learn skills they can use in their jobs, both now and in the future. It’s about making sure new technology brings real benefits to people’s working lives.
‘We’ll learn from what works here in Barnsley and share that with others. At the same time, we’ll keep working towards our ambition to become the UK’s leading digital town, making sure our communities across the borough share in the opportunities that growth brings.’
