Euan Blair’s Multiverse announces commitment to train 15,000 new AI apprentices across UK over next two years
Multiverse, an upskilling platform for tech and AI adoption fronted by Euan Blair (son of former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair), has announced a commitment to train 15,000 new AI apprentices over the next two years. The initiative supports the UK government's AI Opportunities Action Plan.
The apprenticeships will be created and delivered in partnership with employers across the country, including Skanska, Visa, Capita and Legal & General.
Multiverse’s existing AI learner base spans geographic locations. More than 2,200 AI apprentices are currently enrolled through over 200 employers.
Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, says: "Cutting-edge technologies like AI are transforming the way our economy works, so it is vital that British people have the right skills to make the most of the new opportunities tech presents. These efforts are central to the ambitions for jobs and growth, at the heart of our Plan for Change. Multiverse's commitment to thousands of AI apprenticeships will help us achieve just that, backing people right across our country to develop the skills they need to for a career in AI, no matter where they live.”
Katy Dowding, President and CEO at Skanska, says: “The construction industry is a key driver of economic growth, and we are equipping ourselves with the core foundational skills in AI that will ensure we can support our customers in delivering their ambitions, drive efficiency and improve productivity. Our first 25 AI apprentices are already showing the great potential of these technologies.”
Financial services provider Legal and General has 50 apprentices on AI programmes.
Derrick Hastie, Chief Technology Officer, Asset Management, L&G, comments: “AI isn't just a buzzword for us; it's a critical enabler of efficiency and growth. AI will soon be embedded in all our delivery teams, to help us create innovative solutions for our customers. But technology alone isn't enough. Education and skills are essential to ensure our people aren't just observers of change - they're active architects of it.”
Baroness Martha Lane Fox, Non-Executive Director at Multiverse, says: "The promise of AI will remain unfulfilled unless all kinds of people possess the skills to truly harness it. This is no longer a distant concern but an urgent agenda in boardrooms nationwide. Training is a vital conduit to productivity, ensuring that the UK workforce is not just AI-literate, but AI-fluent, and capable of turning potential into prosperity."
Blair comments: "Whether it's impacting you directly yet or not, we are already undergoing an AI revolution - and the key to winning in this new era lies in augmenting human capability. Our commitment to 15,000 AI apprenticeships is a bold declaration that AI skills must be for everyone, at every stage of their career. We want to equip entire organisations with the ability to seize the opportunities AI offers and build the workforce of tomorrow."
The new AI apprentices will enrol through their employers from this month onwards, either coming in as new hires or through upskilling initiatives for existing staff, and programmes will be funded by the Growth and Skills Levy. Learners will develop skills tailored to their requisite level of expertise, from AI ethics and prompt engineering, to data management and governance, to building and deploying machine learning and AI models.
All programmes will be delivered by industry expert coaches, with apprentices’ new skills applied within the day-to-day requirements of their roles. Business impact is measured through projects, in the form of new revenue unlocked by skills, or costs avoided through additional productivity.
Rachané Bryan-Henderson, an account manager at advertising agency BBH, part of Publicis Groupe, comments: “As someone who didn’t go to university I didn’t take a “traditional” pathway. The experience I gained through working has stood me in good stead, but AI now gives me an even greater advantage. By applying these new skills in my role I’m able to lead the way in my company, putting AI to use as we grow.”
RTIH AI in Retail Awards
Our sister title, RTIH, organiser of the industry leading RTIH Innovation Awards, proudly brings you the first edition of the RTIH AI in Retail Awards, which is now open for entries.
As we witness a digital transformation revolution across all channels, AI tools are reshaping the omnichannel game, from personalising customer experiences to optimising inventory, uncovering insights into consumer behaviour, and enhancing the human element of retailers' businesses.
With 2025 set to be the year when AI and especially gen AI shake off the ‘heavily hyped’ tag and become embedded in retail business processes, our newly launched awards celebrate global technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and the resulting benefits for retailers, shoppers and employees.
Our 2025 winners will be those companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.
Winners will be announced at an evening event at The Barbican in Central London on Wednesday, 3rd September.
This will kick off with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room.
Please email our Editor, Scott Thompson, if you have any questions or need further information: scott.thompson@retailtechinnovationhub.com
Key 2025 dates
Friday, 18th July: Award entry deadline
Tuesday, 22nd July: 2025 finalists revealed
Wednesday, 23rd July - Friday, 8th August: Judging days
Wednesday, 3rd September: Winners announced at the 2025 RTIH AI in Retail Awards Ceremony, to be held at The Barbican in Central London.
