The UK government has launched new measures designed to help young people prepare for an AI-driven labour market, including a new alliance focused on entry-level jobs, a nationwide AI skills programme and plans for AI-focused bootcamps.
Announced ahead of London Tech Week, the government said the initiative aims to ensure young people can access training, apprenticeships and employment opportunities as businesses increasingly adopt AI technologies.
The Early Careers Jobs Alliance will bring together employers, government, trade unions and young people to examine how AI is reshaping entry-level roles. The government said the alliance will initially focus on the digital and technologies sector before expanding across all eight sectors covered by the government’s industrial strategy.
Backed by £20 million in funding, the alliance will map changes to entry-level employment, identify examples of best practice and provide guidance to employers on maintaining pathways into work as automation and AI tools become more widely used.
Alongside the alliance, the government said it will expand its TechFirst programme, which aims to provide AI and technology training to at least 400,000 pupils from some of the UK’s most disadvantaged schools. Students will take part in skills sessions, competitions, extracurricular activities and industry engagement programmes designed to encourage careers in technology.
The government has also announced plans for a new AI bootcamp programme. A pilot scheme will launch this summer across five local authority areas in Lancashire and Greater Manchester. The programme will target young people at risk of leaving education after completing their GCSEs and entering unemployment.
Participants will receive workplace-focused AI training before moving into paid AI apprenticeships with employers including BAE Systems, JD Sports, PA Consulting and Agilisys, alongside local councils.
A second pilot programme will launch in the North East in early 2027. The initiative will focus on young people aged 18 to 24 who are not currently in education, employment or training. Participants will receive at least six months of paid work and AI-related training through placements with companies including Microsoft, Accenture and Sage.
The government said the results of the pilot will form the basis of a wider rollout of AI bootcamps across England during the 2027-28 academic year.
The government said the new measures complement its wider £820 million Youth Guarantee programme, which aims to support almost one million young people through training, employment opportunities and youth support services.
“My priority is building an AI future that is pro-business and pro-worker, where AI enhances work, and people are supported through the jobs transition – not left to cope on their own,” said technology secretary Liz Kendall. “It’s clear the world of work is changing rapidly with the adoption of new technologies, and young people want a future where they can get on, get skilled, and get good jobs.”
