Posted on:
12th September, 2025
New Partnership to Build AI Skills for Economic Growth
The Business Board Network is proud to support Digital Poverty Alliance's 'End Digital Poverty Day' - with ground breaking initiatives like our AI Skills Partnership Pilot below which will be launching in the autumn.
A regional business group will spearhead a unique AI Skills Partnership Pilot that promises to be a game changer for developing critical regional AI skills that will help develop local economies and form the basis of a national model across the country to exploit opportunities for economic growth.
The Solent Growth Partnership, an alliance between the upper-tier local authorities of Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and Southampton, and whose Business Board includes the Managing Director of Maritime UK Solent and the Airbus Portsmouth site director, won the opportunity to run the AI Skills Partnership Pilot to build an AI ready workforce that is able to unlock regional economic opportunities and form the basis of a national model of AI skills provision.
Mark Bretton, Chair, Business Board Network said:
“AI is transforming every industry, but without a skilled, regional workforce, many businesses could be left behind, that’s where the Solent Growth Partnership will be breaking new ground. It is excellent news to hear that they will be taking this ambitious project forward with a scalable, region-led model that aligns with national AI and skills strategies, while tackling local productivity gaps.
“Our long-term aspiration is to scale this nationally - and we’re currently inviting corporate leaders to shape, support, and benefit from the future roll out of these AI Skills Partnerships.”
The AI Skills Partnership will be a national initiative with a regional focus that will align local ambition with national strategy to offer a new model for place-based collaboration - one that connects regional employers, training providers, and public and private sector leaders to deliver AI skills that meet local economic needs and opportunities.
Business Board Chair of the Solent Growth Partnership, Rachael Randall:
“We are absolutely delighted that the Solent Growth Partnership has been recognised as the first successful AI Skills Partnership within the Business Board Network.
This is a significant milestone—not just for our region, but for the future of skills development across the UK. Harnessing the power of AI will unlock new opportunities for businesses, boost productivity, and ensure the Solent remains at the forefront of innovation and economic growth."
ENDS
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