Barnsley Tech Town’s £800,000 AI Skills Fund now accepting applications

We’re looking for the boldest and most creative organizations in the country to help people and businesses in Barnsley gain the skills they need to make the most of AI.

A key part of the Government’s ground-breaking Barnsley Tech Town initiative, the AI ​​Upskilling Challenge Fund will open for applications from tomorrow and will provide £800,000 to organizations that can deliver innovative AI training to local workers, businesses and residents.

Focusing on people who may be overlooked as technology transforms the workplace, these indicators could help manufacturers further leverage AI on the factory floor, help small and medium-sized businesses grow, build digital confidence in older populations, and equip young people looking to enter the job market with the skills they need for the jobs of the future.

The Government is calling on organizations from across the UK, from training providers and charities to universities and technology companies, to submit ideas, with a successful project set to be delivered in Barnsley.

The strongest ideas could help inform how similar programs are being implemented across the UK, supporting the government’s ambition to equip 10 million workers with AI skills by 2030. This is part of the government’s efforts to help local people develop practical AI skills and help businesses leverage new technologies to increase productivity and remain competitive.

Kanishka Narayan, Minister of AI and Online Safety, said:

When we launched Barnsley Tech Town, we committed to ensuring that the opportunities created by AI are felt by workers and communities across the town, not just those already ahead of the curve.

We are now challenging the country’s most ambitious and creative training providers, businesses, universities and charities. Bring us your boldest ideas to help people in Barnsley develop the skills they need to harness AI.

Whether it’s helping manufacturers increase productivity, supporting the growth of small businesses, or giving employees the confidence to embrace new technology, we look for ideas that make a real difference. The best solution would not only help the people of Barnsley, but could also be a blueprint for how Britain equips future generations.

This is not a fund for ready-made solutions. The Government is looking for ambitious, high-impact programs tailored to the needs of Barnsley’s community and economy.

For the right organizations, this is an opportunity to put ideas into practice, demonstrate what works, and shape how communities across the country prepare for the AI ​​era.

Whether it’s universities helping local people develop work-ready skills, charities working closely with local communities, technology companies with proven training models or employers helping workers adapt to new technology, this is an opportunity to demonstrate what works in Barnsley and can be replicated elsewhere.

Cllr Andy Cudworth, Barnsley Council’s cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and assets, said:

This investment, as part of Barnsley’s Tech Town status, is another important step in realizing our vision for Barnsley’s future.

This will support Barnsley City Council’s ambitions to become the UK’s leading digital town, supporting the future of a world-class logistics and manufacturing sector and ensuring communities across the borough benefit from the opportunities that growth will bring.

By investing in innovation, skills and infrastructure, we are creating the conditions for businesses and residents to thrive.

Any organization based in the country is eligible to apply, as long as they can deliver the program to residents and workers in the Barnsley area.

Priority groups include workers in key local sectors such as manufacturing, older residents, and entry-level workers for whom existing pro bono offers may not be sufficient.

Scott Snodgrass, director of Hawk Lifting in Barnsley, said:

We’ve been leveraging AI in our business, but we know it has far greater potential for us.

We used this to build a new internal invoice approval system. We plan to use this for construction order processing, inspection processes, and potentially other business areas as well.

This helps us streamline and become more efficient. AI is no longer a technology of the future. AI is here and this training will help people and businesses avoid being left behind.

Funded projects must demonstrate the potential to scale up across the UK. The results of the assessment will feed into wider government initiatives, including the commitment to equip 10 million UK workers with AI skills by 2030.

Applications will open on Wednesday 15 July through the Government’s Find a Grant platform, with details of the fund’s objectives and requirements available.

Note to editors:

• The AI ​​Upskilling Challenge Fund forms part of the Barnsley Tech Town initiative, announced on 3 February 2026, positioning Barnsley as the UK’s first government-supported Tech Town.

• Applicants have until 12 August 2026 to apply for a share of the total funding amount (£800,000).

• Organizations based anywhere in the UK can apply, provided the program is offered to residents and workers in the Barnsley area.

• Successful applicants will be selected in September 2026.

• The fund builds on the government’s commitment to upskill 10 million UK workers with AI skills by 2030.

• Details and eligibility criteria will be available on the government’s grant search platform from Wednesday 15 July.

• Tech Town supports Barnsley 2030. This is Barnsley City Council’s long-term plan to build a prosperous, better, fairer and more inclusive town.

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