How is Databricks Tackling UK&I Skills Gap With AI Training?

Databricks has announced a plan to train 100,000 individuals in data and AI disciplines across the United Kingdom and Ireland by 2028.

The initiative is supported by an investment of over US$10m into its Free Edition programme, which provides access to the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform at no cost.

This move is designed to equip students, professionals and hobbyists with the necessary skills to address the growing talent shortage in the technology sector.

The investment includes self-paced training materials and tools. According to data from the World Economic Forum, 40% of a worker’s core skills will be disrupted in the next five years.

AI is noted as one of the most rapidly expanding areas of demand within the workforce.

The training initiative will focus on generative AI, data engineering, machine learning (ML) and analytics through a combination of in-person and online courses.

Public sector AI upskilling

As part of its commitment, Databricks has joined the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Get Tech Certified this Autumn programme.

This three-month initiative delivers training in AI and ML to public sector employees.

It supports the government's Blueprint for a Modern Digital Government, which aims to have one in ten civil servants working in digital or technology roles within five years.

“Businesses are reaching a key moment in growing their use of AI,” says Samuel Bonamigo, Senior Vice President and General Manager for EMEA at Databricks.

He adds: “By pairing advanced training with the power of Agent Bricks, we're helping local enterprises quickly and safely scale trusted AI apps and agents.”

Academic and university alliances

Through its University Alliance Programme, Databricks has also formed partnerships with more than 40 universities across the UK and Ireland.

Institutions such as the London School of Economics, University College Dublin, University of Salford and the University of Sheffield have integrated the platform into their academic programmes.

The curriculum is designed to prepare students for roles in data engineering, ML development and analytics, covering the use of the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform and its Agent Bricks product for deploying AI agents.

Dr Marcos Barreto, Associate Professor of Data Science and Lead on AI for the Department of Statistics at the London School of Economics, says: “Providing our data science students with the latest data and AI skills is something we take great pride in. By being part of the Databricks University Alliance programme, our students can learn the latest in big data programming and analytics, which is essential to flourish in the fast-paced AI sector.”

Adding to this, Nathan Topping, Lecturer in Data Science at the University of Salford, says: “Our MSc Data Science programme, underpinned by Databricks, provides students with the cutting-edge expertise they need to thrive in the future of work.”

Corporate adoption and UK presence

Databricks currently serves over 50% of the companies listed in the FTSE 100 Index, including major corporations like Barclays, Reckitt and Shell. Its client base in Ireland features Aer Lingus, while other UK businesses using the platform include Flo Health and Virgin Atlantic, which have used it to deploy AI applications.

Databricks employs more than 500 people in the UK and Ireland, operating from its central London hub, which opened in 2024.

“We are proud to be at the heart of the UK and Ireland’s data and AI ecosystem,” says Michael Green, UK and Ireland Managing Director at Databricks.

He adds: “Our growing team is helping students, customers and partners to keep up with the fast-changing AI landscape. The right data and AI skills are essential in enabling UK and Irish businesses to scale AI agents and remain competitive on a global stage.”

Globally, Databricks’ platform is used by over 20,000 organisations and more than 60% of Fortune 500 companies.