Setting up for AI success

Sheila Flavell at FDM Group explains how apprentices can make a business AI-ready

 

The UK has been faced with a significant digital skills shortage over the past decade, costing the economy an estimated £63 billion annually. This challenge has been worsened by the rapid rise of machine learning and the adoption of evolving technologies like Generative AI.

 

As AI continues to evolve, it is expected to create approximately 97 million jobs by 2025. However, despite this growing demand for AI expertise, there is a notable shortage of skilled professionals to meet these requirements. A Deloitte study found that there are only 22,000 AI specialists globally, highlighting the urgency of addressing this skills gap.

 

Nearly half of businesses lack the specialised skills needed to maximise the potential of AI and in order to stay competitive, organisations must keep pace with technological advancements by investing in upskilling and training their workforce.

 

Training Gen Z talent

One of the most effective ways to future-proof businesses is by tapping into early talent. Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is expected to comprise 25 percent of the global workforce by 2025.

 

However, the FDM whitepaper on Unlocking Gen Z’s Workplace Potential revealed that 66 percent of Gen Z are unsatisfied with the learning resources available at their companies. This underscores the need for organisations to provide training programs aligned with the expectations of a growth-oriented, tech-savvy workforce.

 

Building a UK-wide workforce of AI experts also relies on tapping into underrepresented talent pools who each present unique, transferrable skill sets. Those who possess the skills and aptitude for AI are key to future implementation projects, so businesses should support them with training and reskilling opportunities.

 

How apprentices set up AI success

Apprenticeships represent a largely untapped resource of early talent that offers businesses the opportunity to build a workforce which is tailored to specific needs that address the digital skills shortage. They provide a cost-effective way to train employees and offer opportunities to underrepresented groups in society.

 

In recent years, the UK government has reinforced its commitment to expanding apprenticeship programs which has led to a steady increase in apprenticeship starts.

 

In the 2023/24 academic year, there were 339,580 apprenticeship starts, reflecting a 0.7 percent increase from the previous year. Level 6 and level 7 apprenticeship starts, which is the equivalent to a bachelor’s and master’s degrees, rose by 7 percent to 50,110. 

 

By embedding apprentices within AI-driven teams, businesses can nurture real-world expertise and develop a workforce that is tailored to dedicated applications. Apprentices gain practical AI skills through hands-on projects, ensuring that companies benefit from fresh perspectives and emerging capabilities in AI deployment. 

 

This approach not only addresses the shortfall of AI talent but also fosters a dynamic learning culture where skills are continuously refined to match evolving industry demands.

 

Apprenticeships provide a structured way for businesses to build AI expertise from the ground up. Through exposure to various AI applications, including automation, data science and machine learning, apprentices gain the necessary competencies to support AI-driven initiatives. 

 

This investment in early talent strengthens businesses by creating a pipeline of skilled professionals who are equipped to handle the challenges of AI integration and innovation and creates a more diverse and inclusive economy. 

 

Training programmes, such as the FDM Apprenticeship Programme, provide individuals with the technical expertise and leadership skills needed to thrive in the digital economy. These initiatives create a pipeline of skilled professionals ready to drive innovation and digital transformation across the UK.

 

The rewards of an AI future

Apprenticeships present an affordable and effective means for businesses to fill the junior talent gap while enhancing AI specialisms such as data governance, ethics and machine learning. By developing AI capabilities at scale, companies can ensure that their workforce is equipped with the latest technological expertise, helping to drive sustainable innovation.

 

The rising cost of university education exceeds £9,000 per year in the UK which poses a significant barrier to many young people and apprenticeships offer an additional alternative pathway which enables individuals to gain work experience while earning a degree without incurring student debt.

 

Through widening access to AI training, businesses not only strengthen their competitive edge but also promote social mobility and economic inclusion. 

 

Businesses cannot rely solely on a few specialists to drive AI innovation. Instead, AI training must be implemented at scale. Apprenticeships offer a sustainable way to build new talent pipelines equipped to handle evolving technologies.

 

The global AI market was valued at $136.55 billion in 2022 and is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 37.3 percent from 2023 to 2030. With AI set to dominate the future of technology, businesses must be proactive in developing, implementing and managing AI capabilities to stay ahead. 

 

---

 

Sheila Flavell CBE is COO of FDM Group

 

Main image courtesy of iStockPhoto.com and Amorn Suriyan