Debenhams Group, the online firm behind brands including Debenhams, PrettyLittleThing, boohoo, boohooMAN and Karen Millen, has launched its AI Skills Academy – a new programme to equip employees with practical AI skills.

The Academy is being rolled out in partnership with Multiverse, the workforce development platform, to boost growth across Debenhams Group by closing the AI skills gap.

Fully funded through the Group’s £1.35 million Apprenticeship Levy, a government fund for work-based training, the AI Skills Academy provides employees with structured, on-the-job learning that will deliver tangible value to the Debenhams Group business.

Staff will be taught all the technical skills and behaviours required to embrace AI in their day-to-day work.

Training will include using AI tools to boost productivity and free up time for higher-value strategic  work, and applying AI solutions to streamline operations and reduce manual tasks.

Further, staff will build AI systems in-house to accelerate digital transformation and reduce reliance on external providers.

Recommended reading

• Digital Immaturity Stalling UK AI Ambitions
• Data Skills Gap Leading to Productivity Shortfalls
• AI Skills Gap Puts Public Sector Projects in Jeopardy

The AI Skills Academy supports a key pillar of Debenhams Group’s digital transformation roadmap, aimed at embedding a culture of innovation and continuous learning.

The new programme will be launched internally via a company-wide communication campaign, including in-person sessions delivered by Multiverse to help teams understand the opportunities on offer.

“Adopting AI is not just about investing in our systems – it’s about investing in our people,” Dan Finley, CEO of Debenhams Group, said.

“With the launch of the AI Skills Academy, we’re giving our teams the tools to think differently, work smarter and build for the future. This is about unlocking the potential of every colleague to drive real innovation across the Group.”