In a major push to prepare the workforce for the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence (AI) economy, the UK government announced this week a £187 million investment in a national skills programme designed to equip young people and workers with essential AI and digital skills.

At the center of the initiative is the “TechFirst” programme, which aims to introduce AI learning into classrooms and communities across the country. A key component, the “TechYouth” strand, backed by £24 million, will provide 1 million secondary school students over three years with access to technology education and career opportunities in AI and related fields.

In addition to youth training, the government unveiled a landmark partnership with leading technology companies—including Google, Microsoft, IBM, NVIDIA, Amazon, and others—to train 7.5 million UK workers in AI skills by 2030. This effort, representing roughly 20 percent of the UK workforce, will offer free, high-quality training materials to businesses nationwide, focusing on practical applications of AI such as chatbots and large language models to boost productivity across sectors.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer underscored the significance of the programme, stating, “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.”

The government’s investment also includes support for over 4,000 graduates, researchers, and innovators through additional strands such as TechGrad, TechExpert, and TechLocal, which provide scholarships, funding for PhD research, and seed funding for regional tech innovation, respectively.

Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle emphasized the broader economic impact: “We are getting Brits ready for jobs of the future by helping millions across the country gain vital digital skills in AI and beyond. Embedding these skills into our education system and local communities will help people of all backgrounds and ensure tech talent flourishes in every corner of our nation. These partnerships with industry will translate skills into real jobs and economic growth, putting more money in people’s pockets and breaking down barriers to opportunity. This is our Plan for Change in action – investing in the skills that will power our economy and deliver prosperity for working people across the country.”

The UK’s AI sector is currently valued at £72.3 billion and is projected to exceed £800 billion by 2035, growing 30 times faster than the rest of the economy. However, access to AI skills remains a critical barrier, particularly outside London and among startups and scaleups.

Industry leaders have welcomed the initiative. Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, said, “AI developers power the next industrial revolution. AI talent, skills and research are crucial ingredients in the UK’s mission to become an AI maker, not an AI taker. We’re delighted to partner with the government to train the next generation of AI developers, capable of finding new cures for diseases, discovering new materials and building world-class AI companies.”

Google’s EMEA President Debbie Weinstein added, “Our AI Works report revealed that £400bn worth of economic growth awaits the UK, but half of this depends on workers embracing and using AI. That’s precisely why we’re thrilled to join this crucial initiative, essential for supercharging AI upskilling, unlocking AI-powered growth and cementing the UK’s position as an AI leader.”

This announcement follows a series of government efforts to strengthen the country’s tech ecosystem, including the expansion of the CyberFirst programme and the establishment of Skills England, a new body focused on addressing skills shortages in key industrial sectors.

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