ICAEW is one of the strategic partners for the UK government’s AI Skills Boost initiative, which aims to upskill 10m UK workers in AI-related skills by 2030. 

It’s part of the push to achieve the government’s ambition for Britain to be the fastest country to adopt AI in the G7.

The initial stage of the initiative, taking place over 2026, will focus on foundational training, and improving skills within SMEs and the public sector. Foundational courses will be offered for free through the AI Skills Hub, supported by additional events and facilitated training from strategic partners, such as ICAEW.   

The courses available through the initiative are designed to be entry level and non-technical, and focused on practical ways to deliver productivity and safe and responsible use of AI. 

Training focuses on six areas outlined in Skills England’s AI Foundations for Work: 

• use AI responsibly and ethically;  
• write structured prompts for AI tools;  
• apply and set AI tools in workflows and tasks;  
• use and test low code automation tools;  
• set AI tool settings; and  
• analyse data using AI tools.  

ICAEW has launched its GenAI Accelerator programme to address some of these areas for the accountancy profession, including AI fundamentals and specific training for individual disciplines within the profession. 

“We’re delighted to join the AI Skills Boost programme as a strategic partner,” says ICAEW’s Chief Policy and Communications Officer, Iain Wright. “At a time when businesses are adopting AI and technology at pace, it is crucial that we equip the future workforce with the skills and confidence to excel in an AI world.

“As such, last year we re-launched our ACA qualification to reflect the constantly changing requirement for new and specialist skillsets in the workplace, while our new GenAI Accelerator programme helps finance professionals and accountants develop their AI skills effectively and ethically. With headlines around AI replacing jobs likely to persist, it is essential we provide the workers of tomorrow with the necessary means to tackle the complex challenges technological revolution brings.”

ICAEW joins strategic partners such as Amazon, Barclays, IBM, Intuit, Microsoft, Sage, Cisco, the Confederation of British Industry, Federation of Small Businesses, Institute of Directors and techUK in delivering the programme.

ICAEW is also working with techUK, alongside the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), ADS, Creative UK, Make UK, Energy UK and TheCityUK, forming a coalition to further responsible AI adoption across the UK economy. The coalition has three aims:

• Share knowledge and best practices: the organisations will pool insights, case studies and best practices on AI adoption to boost confidence and accelerate uptake of AI.
• Surface and find solutions to common barriers: develop practical, scalable solutions to the must-solve blockers to AI adoption that cut across sectors as well as spotlight sector-specific issues that need fixing.
• Engage with and hold government to the delivery of its ambitions: work together to support government’s delivery of the sectoral AI Adoption Plans and collaborate with policymakers to identify additional levers that can drive adoption and ways to remove barriers to uptake.

“We are delighted to join this coalition at a pivotal moment, as organisations shift from AI experimentation to large-scale adoption,” says Alan Vallance, Chief Executive, ICAEW. “Unlocking the full value of AI will depend not just on technology, but on investment, skills, and strong governance rooted in professional standards. We are focused on enabling our members to lead the practical adoption of AI so they can apply it with confidence and integrity. By working collaboratively across sectors, we can accelerate learning and help position the UK at the forefront of trusted AI innovation.”