Employers offer AI training as schools lag behind workplace needs

In short: More employers are stepping in to teach AI skills because schools and universities are not updating courses fast enough.

What's going on

Schools and universities often take years to change what they teach. But workplace tools, including AI (software that can write, summarize, and spot patterns), are changing much faster. The result is a gap between what students learn and what many entry-level jobs now expect.

The Financial Times points to a tough job market for young people, especially in the UK. An interim report from the Milburn Review warned there are fewer entry-level roles than before, and competition is rising. It also said AI and automation are likely to add more pressure.

Some employers are trying to close the skills gap through training and partnerships. IBM’s free SkillsBuild program offers about 1,000 courses in 20 languages. IBM says it aims to deliver AI skills to 30 million people by 2030, and had reached 22 million people by the end of 2025.

IBM also works with schools, nonprofits, and governments, including Mission 44, the charity founded by Lewis Hamilton. Mission 44 uses the popularity of Formula 1 to show students different careers, like engineering and software development (building computer programs). The idea is to connect classroom learning to real jobs, like seeing how a pit crew depends on teamwork and data.

The article also notes other options outside formal education. Google has deals with universities to give students free AI training, and Anthropic offers free training through its Academy.

What to watch

More programs may focus on hands-on practice, not just basic “prompt engineering” (writing instructions for an AI tool, like giving directions to a helpful assistant). Some career advisers also warn that an AI certificate alone may not make a candidate stand out, since trust and people skills still matter in hiring.

Source: Financial Times