RE: WHEN ARE THE UPSKILLING COURSES GOING LIVE ?8 Apr 2026 07:15
When are the new government two week software upskilling courses going live ?
New government-backed short courses and AI upskilling programmes are rolling out from April 2026. These initiatives are part of a major expansion of the Skills England framework and the AI Skills Boost programme, aiming to provide flexible, work-based training in areas including AI, engineering, and digital skills.
Here are the key details on the upcoming and recently launched training:
April 2026 Rollout: New short courses in cutting-edge areas, including AI, digital skills, and engineering, begin rolling out to help employers upskill their existing workforce.
AI Training (Available Now): As of January 28, 2026, the government expanded its free AI training on the AI Skills Hub, which features short courses that can take under 20 minutes, designed for workers to gain practical AI skills.
Apprenticeship Reforms: In addition to the short courses, new, shorter "foundation apprenticeships" are being introduced from April 2026, intended to improve access to training in sectors like retail and hospitality.
TechLocal Scheme: A new £27 million funding initiative, part of the TechFirst programme, is launching, with projects expected to commence in July 2026, connecting people with local tech roles.
These programmes are part of a broader government effort to train 10 million workers by 2030 through partnerships with organizations like Microsoft, Google, and IBM.