‘Really helpful’: the AI bootcamps aimed at addressing UK youth unemployment
TL;DR
In Preston in north-west England, the UK government is piloting three-week AI bootcamps for 16- to 24-year-olds who are out of education, employment or training, known as Neets. The course runs at the Vault, a recently opened community hub opposite the bus station. The hope is that AI will help reduce youth unemployment instead of making it worse. Participants who finish the pilot are offered an apprenticeship at the end.
Nauti's Take
The approach has potential because it ties AI skills directly to a concrete apprenticeship offer and reaches young people who usually fall through every net. Three weeks is short, though, and the open question is whether the apprenticeships actually require AI skills or merely carry the label.
Education providers and job centres in Germany, Austria and Switzerland should watch how the pilot is evaluated before launching similar programmes.
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