Making TechFirst a Catalyst for Workforce Impact

Making TechFirst a Catalyst for Workforce Impact

The launch of theTechFirst initiative, alongside the government’s commitment to upskill 7.5 million people in AI by 2030, is a bold and timely investment in the UK’s digital future. With £187 million dedicated to equipping people of all ages with vital digital and AI skills training, this targeted funding has the potential to transform opportunity, productivity, and growth.

To ensure TechFirst achieves its full impact, it’s essential to move beyond participation as the primary success measure. With10 million UK workers expected to use AI in their roles by 2035, the ultimate test will be how effectively these skills translate into real jobs, career progression, and tangible value and impact in the workplace.Key Components of TechFirst

• TechYouth (£24m) Providing 1 million students with tech and AI learning over three years, including an online platform to inspire tech careers — building on the successful CyberFirst Explorers programme. Delivery will be driven by local partners across the UK.
• TechGrad (£96.8m) Offering undergraduate scholarships in AI, cybersecurity, and computer science, alongside 100 MSc research places and 100 elite AI scholarships.
• TechExpert (£48.4m) Providing up to £10,000 in additional funding to 500 PhD students researching key technology sectors, to accelerate innovation and strengthen the UK’s research pipeline.
• TechLocal (£18m) Seed funding to help regional SMEs develop tech products and adopt AI, with local panels assessing applications and Innovate UK providing oversight.techskills’ Perspective: Maximising TechFirst’s Potential

techskills, the accreditation body for Tech Industry Gold, the UK’s only employer led accreditation for tech education, supports TechFirst as a catalyst for meaningful change. We believe the programme’s long-term success will depend on employer involvement, rigorous standards and a focus on workforce impact.

As implementation begins, techskills offers three guiding principles to maximise return on this investment:

• Prioritise quality and industry relevance: Ensure training is co-designed with employers of all sizes—including SMEs—and across all sectors, leading to recognised, accredited outcomes aligned with real-world roles throughout the economy

• Focus on outcomes, not just access: Measure success by employer outcomes, advancement, impact and skills application not just enrolment or completion rates.

• Support diverse, lifelong learners: Offer flexible, inclusive pathways that meet people where they are and help them progress over time

“TechFirst represents a transformative opportunity to equip the next generation with the skills they need to thrive in an AI-powered economy,” says Lorna Willis, CEO of techskills. “But its success will depend on strong employer collaboration and a clear focus on delivering real career outcomes for learners of all backgrounds.”

Industry Support and Call to Action

techUK’s CEO Julian David OBE expressed strong support for the initiative: “techUK stands ready to help the government deliver on its goal to upskill 7.5 million people in AI by 2030.”

techskills echoes this call, emphasising the importance of SMEs being actively represented in the development and delivery of this skills programme. We are working closely with techskills’ board members to ensure SMEs gain access to top tech talent and help close the UK’s talent shortage.Unlocking TechFirst’s Full Potential

To unlock the full potential of TechFirst, techskills calls on government, educators, and industry to work in partnership to deliveraccredited, employer-led training that drives real career outcomes. By embedding**quality, relevance, and inclusion **at the heart of delivery, we can ensure that AI and digital skills translate into tangible workforce impact, supporting learners, educators, businesses, and the UK’s global tech leadership.