Innovate UK, in partnership with PwC, has launched a new AI Skills Hub aimed at bridging the gap between employers, individuals, training providers and AI technology partners. The initiative seeks to unify the UK’s fragmented AI learning and employment ecosystem to accelerate adoption, create jobs and drive economic growth.
The hub will initially focus on four sectors: agriculture and food processing; construction; the creative industries; and transport, logistics and warehousing. These were identified by PwC research commissioned by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which found that more than 73% of employers in these industries face skills shortages in areas including AI systems, ethics, governance and machine learning. Encouragingly, most employers do not see employee resistance as a barrier—cost and access to suitable training are the primary challenges.
PwC’s research highlights the potential of AI to transform productivity and pay. Sectors with high AI adoption are seeing productivity growth rates three to nearly five times higher than less AI-exposed industries. While construction, which employs 2.7 million people, has experienced only 1% productivity growth over the past two decades, AI-intensive fields such as professional services saw growth of 4.3% between 2018 and 2022.
Workers with AI skills also command significant wage premiums, earning between 11% and 56% more depending on sector and role. Demand for AI expertise is rising rapidly—AI-related job postings are growing 3.6 times faster than the UK average.
The AI Skills Hub aims to improve collaboration between employers and training providers to expand access to relevant, up-to-date AI education. Zlatina Loudjeva, Partner at PwC UK, said: “By expanding access to relevant tech and relevant training, the Hub can give a significant boost to the UK economy, addressing long-standing productivity issues.” She added that the initiative also supports social inclusion by helping workers stay competitive in the AI economy.
Gary Cutts, Executive Director for Digital and Technologies at Innovate UK, noted that the rapid pace of AI change can be intimidating. He said the Hub’s platform is designed to simplify learning pathways and connect people with relevant opportunities.
According to PwC’s global AI Jobs Barometer, the skills required in AI-exposed jobs are evolving 25% to 66% faster than in other roles. Workers now need to combine proficiency in AI tools with critical thinking and teamwork. This shifting landscape calls for ongoing skills development to keep the UK workforce agile and competitive.
The AI Skills Hub marks a strategic step toward positioning the UK as a leader in AI-enabled growth. By focusing on sectors with urgent skills needs and supporting inclusive training access, the platform aims to foster productivity gains and responsible AI adoption. But realising its full potential will depend on sustained investment, quality education and a national commitment to lifelong learning.
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