Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced it wants to help 100,000 people in the UK gain AI skills within the next five years as it rolls out the British leg of its Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance programme.

With the need for AI and cloud skills growing at pace, the programme hopes to get tech novices ready for entry-level technical careers by strengthening collaboration between government, industry, and education. 

Its goal is to equip people with practical skills in high-demand tech sectors, starting with AI, by providing hands-on experience and direct connections to employers, helping close the gap between education and employment.

Launched in June 2023, AWS’ Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance has seen more than 990 educational institutions and 780 employers take part around the world, with major international firms taking part, including the likes of Deloitte, Accenture, and Siemans.

The programme uses skill pathways designed to align closely with employer needs in areas such as AI, cybersecurity, and big data, to address both current and projected skills gaps. 

Now arriving in the UK, further and higher educational institutions, including the University of Exeter and the University of Manchester, will be joining the Tech Alliance, gaining access to AWS resources to update their existing programmes along with key industry insights on the essential technical and professional competencies needed for emerging tech careers.

“Removing barriers to accessing digital skills training is critical for helping the UK to become a digital leader,” said John Davies, managing director, UK, Germany & international organisations, public sector at AWS. 

“We are delighted to launch the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance in the UK to address the digital skills gap by creating flexible, accessible training programmes for students looking to pursue a career in technology.”

According to research commissioned by AWS, AI literacy will be a requirement for nearly half (47%) of new UK jobs over the next three years as the technology rapidly accelerates across industries.

However, AWS’ Unlocking the UK’s AI Potential report found that only 27% of UK businesses felt adequately prepared for this shift, despite more than half (52%) now using AI.

With the vast majority  (92%) of businesses that have adopted AI reporting increased revenue, there is a clear need for UK workers to quickly become skilled it its use if the country is to maintain its economic position.

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Nearly half (46%) of the 1,000 UK businesses polled by Amazon said that a lack of digital skills has slowed down their business, compared with 32% of UK businesses surveyed last year, with 41% of organisations saying they are struggling to hire people who have the necessary digital skills.

UK firms said that it takes them, on average, more than five months to hire an employee with a sufficient level of digital skills, making skill-building initiatives like Amazon’s a valuable resource.

“We need to make sure that students and young people in every community have the skills they need to explore successful, long-lasting careers in tech – putting them in the driving seat of the UK’s digital revolution,” said Feryal Clark, the UK Government’s minister for AI.

“The AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance will be key to that effort, with a partnership that also helps us to deliver a modern digital government fit for the future.”