Innovate UK, with the support of PwC, has launched a first of its kind AI platform to connect individuals, employers, training providers, and AI technology partners in a collective mission to advance AI adoption, job creation and growth.
PwC research shows that industries with high AI adoption have three times the productivity growth and faster wage growth than less exposed sectors - with an 11% wage premium attached to occupations with AI skills.
The AI Skills Hub aims to unify the fragmented AI learning and employment landscape and fill the gap between employers’ demand and available skills. Initially, it will focus on four key industries: agriculture and food processing; construction; creative; and transport, logistics, and warehousing.
PwC conducted research for UKRI which revealed that over 73% of employers in these industries report skills shortages in areas including AI systems, AI ethics, governance & regulations and machine learning. Encouragingly, there is a strong appetite among employees to upskill in AI, with only 17.3% of employers citing employee resistance as a barrier to training. Instead, cost and difficulty in sourcing the right training are more significant obstacles.
Zlatina Loudjeva, partner at PwC UK, said:
“AI is here to stay, it will develop faster and faster, and presents huge opportunities for employers and employees alike. The better the skills a person has, the more they can benefit from the new opportunities. But for those lacking the right skills, the risk is being left behind. Put simply, to benefit from AI, workers must take charge of their development, because you have to be in it to win it. By improving links between employers, training providers, and technology partners, the Hub aims to increase employability and AI readiness in sectors where there is a clear need. Providing these essential skills is not only key to the UK's economic stability and prosperity but also to promoting greater social cohesion.”
The skills churn is accelerating
According to PwC’s 2025 AI Jobs Barometer, AI is creating rapid change in the skills workers need to succeed in the workplace, with candidates now more likely to need to operate AI tools and demonstrate abilities such as critical thinking and collaboration.
Gary Cutts, Innovate UK Executive Director for Digital and Technologies, said:
“The pace of AI development can make AI learning a daunting prospect for individuals and employers, who can struggle to stay on top of training needs. The AI skills hub will make the AI learning and employment landscape much more accessible.”
Boosting productivity in the construction industry
The construction industry, one of the sectors to be served by the Hub, employs 2.7 million individuals, representing 8% of the United Kingdom's workforce. However, like many industries, it faces a productivity challenge, experiencing only a 1% increase in productivity over the past two decades.
Gary Cutts, Innovate UK Executive Director for Digital and Technologies, said:
“AI holds immense potential to transform construction by driving efficiency, improving safety, and enhancing decision-making processes. Machine learning models, for instance, can predict equipment failures, forecast demand for materials, and ensure their timely delivery. In addition, AI-powered cameras and sensors can elevate safety standards on construction sites, detecting compliance with regulations and identifying hazards in real time. By integrating these technologies, the construction sector has the potential to turbocharge productivity and growth, at a time when building is a top Government priority.”
Zlatina Loudjeva, Partner, PwC UK added:
“The AI Skills Hub will provide businesses in these four industries with confidence and the opportunity to optimise their operations, innovate their products and services, and ultimately create new roles and skills for their employees. By expanding access to relevant tech and relevant training, the Hub can give a significant boost to the UK economy, addressing long-standing productivity issues.”
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About the AI skills hub
The AI skills hub is a national investment to help organisations across the UK overcome challenges in upskilling employees. The hub aims to increase employer uptake of curated, sector-specific training on AI and contribute towards greater adoption and associated productivity gains. By empowering sector collaboration, it will help open new markets for training providers and create sales channels for AI technology partners. Moreover, by embedding international best practices, AI Skills Hub will accelerate the UK's journey and impact in AI innovation and skills development. For more information, see: https://aiskillshub.org.uk/
About PwC
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