On the 28th of January 2026 the UK government released an exciting new press release: Free AI Courses available to all UK adults.
This is a superb initiative from the government as it shows that they are getting up to speed with the ever-increasing demand for AI adoption on in the workplace. An implementation that sadly has been moving at a snail’s pace so far in comparison to what the capabilities offer.
Why has the shift been so slow?
Is it that people fear AI, or simply just aren’t interested? Whilst these elements may come into play, I think the biggest factor is lack of knowledge and capability. This isn’t anyone’s fault; the evolution of AI is relatively new and most average people have not had the chance to learn how to use it or the functionality it can offer.
Change is on the horizon though as more people are beginning to understand the benefits it provides. Streamlining processes, automating boring tasks, and providing better reporting insights are just a few examples. The key thing to remember is that whilst AI can do all these things and more, it still takes an experienced professional to utilise the outputs of AI in an efficient and innovative way. Think of it as supplementing your existing skills and making you better at your job.
For example, a project manager might be able to use AI to analyse risk registers and find trends, or to automate a process that usually involves hours trawling Excel. But it is still up to the individual to present these findings in a way that adds value to the business, and to manage this information effectively. AI should be seen as a tool that can be used to drive careers forward, however this won’t happen if people don’t know how to utilise it and maximise potential.
It is important to recognise that AI will change existing jobs and bring with it new ones. A lot of organisations have started to slowly realise this, and in turn the importance of AI implementation. However, many of these are still struggling to turn AI investment into meaningful delivery impact. According to Boston Consulting Group (BCG), only about 26% of companies that have adopted AI have developed enough capabilities to generate tangible value beyond proofs of concept. This is why training initiatives like this from the UK government are a great step in the right direction, as it raises awareness of the huge skills gap we’re facing.
The courses provided are open to all UK adults online and can take as little as under 20 minutes to complete. For a bite sized chunk of training, it’s a fantastic place to start, and it’s free!
However, to really drive transformation across organisations we need to see more businesses providing their teams with opportunities to upskill in a practical way that
allows them to apply their knowledge within their roles, and in turn become change agents for new ways of working.
The short courses provided by the government are an excellent resource for people to start their AI training journey, but they don’t offer anything beyond theory.
For a practical approach, apprenticeships are the way forward. They provide on the job learning opportunities combined with coaching and mentor support from subject matter experts. Skills can be embedded into organisations in real time, and learners can make an immense difference to their way of working whilst they are undergoing learning. For levy paying organisations, these programmes are often free, meaning they are a cost-effective way to develop capability across teams and provide a high return on investment.
Is boosting your career with Data Analysis and AI skills in a practical way something you’re currently focused on? If so, please feel free to reach out to our team at Projecting Success who can facilitate your next steps on your career ladder, and help you position yourself as a forward thinker in the ever growing Data & AI environment.
