£6.4m of grant funding available for applications made in May 2024.
The Flexible AI Upskilling Fund pilot scheme from the UK Government will support SMEs in the Professional and Business Services Sector by providing 50% match-funding for AI skills training for their employees.
The “AI Marketing Training for tourism, travel & hospitality professionals” offered by Digital Dialog is eligible for the AI Upskilling Fund Pilot scheme as we are a registered UK Learning Provider (UKRLP) and this is a great opportunity to undertake our training for half the cost.
Objectives of the Flexible AI Upskilling programme
- To stimulate employer investment in AI training
- To address AI skills gaps in the UK workforce limiting AI adoption
- To measure the impact of AI upskilling on business productivity and outcomes
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.
As we know, AI 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.
- Eligible businesses have until 12pm on 31 May to apply for funding and apply.
- Grant Funding Agreements will be issued in summer 2024.
- Once successful applicants have paid for and completed the training set out in their application form, applicants will be required to submit a payment request with supporting evidence to receive the funding amount set out in the grant funding agreement, up to a maximum of 50% of the cost of training.
- The training cannot start earlier than the date that the Grant Funding Agreement is signed by both parties (expected July 2024) and end no later than 31 March 2025.
The aim of the scheme is to subsidise the cost of AI skills training up to a ratio of 1:1. For example, a small-sized business can apply for up to £5,000 of grant funding to pay for 50% of AI skills training which costs £10,000. If the training cost £8,000, the applicant could only apply for £4,000 of grant funding.
Eligibility for Businesses applying:
The funding competition is open to applicants who:
- are registered and operate in the UK
- employ between 1-249 employees in the UK
- are defined as an SME per the BEIS SME Action Plan
- have been operating for at least 1 year
- are able to match-fund 50% of the cost of the training, and
- operate in the Professional and Business Services (PBS) sector
SIC Division and Description
M – Professional, scientific, and technical activities
69 - Legal activities/accounting, bookkeeping and audit
70 - Activities of head offices, management consultancy
71 - Architectural and engineering activities, technical testing and analysis
72 - Scientific research and development
73 - Advertising and market research
74 - Other professional, scientific and technical activities
N – Administrative and support service activities
77 - Rental and leasing activities
78 - Employment activities
82 - Office administration and other business support activities.
How to apply:
To begin the application, use the link below:
https://find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/flexible-ai-upskilling-fund-pilot-1
To choose Digital Dialog as your Training Partner please download our Application Guidance PDF and following the instructions within.
Should you require any details or assistance to help with the application submission, please get in touch with us at hello@digitaldialog.co.uk or 020 3137 9884
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