The partnership will provide Ireland’s employees with more opportunities to upskill and apply AI to their working lives.
Fastrack into Information Technology (FIT) and Intel are partnering up on the AI for Future Workforce Programme, to boost AI skills among Ireland’s employees. The collaboration involves the development of an AI lab where learners can take part in the training.
Starting off the partnership will initially focus on pilot programmes before expanding to wider audiences and employer-led upskilling and reskilling initiatives. Feedback from learners, colleges and employers will be used to adapt and improve the process.
The lab is FIT’s inaugural physical training space designed for one of its programmes and will give participants access to the infrastructure and technology required to experiment with and apply AI in a practical setting.
It will be equipped with computers, servers and the computing resources needed to support experimentation, testing, development and analysis.
The programme is also Intel’s first Digital Readiness partnership in Ireland. The purpose of the initiative is to expand access to artificial intelligence education, helping learners, educators and jobseekers develop the skills they need to succeed in an AI-driven economy.
The programme will cover foundational and applied areas such as coding, computer vision and AI technologies, systems thinking, practical industry applications and the responsible and ethical use of AI. Initial opportunities identified include programmes focused on AI for manufacturing, cybersecurity, sustainability and accessibility.
The partnership intends to leverage FIT’s reach across Ireland’s further education and training sector and its relationships with further education colleges, education and training board centres, youthreach centres and workforce upskilling initiatives.
Commenting on the announcement, Peter Davitt, the CEO of FIT, said, “FIT’s focus has always been on connecting people with the skills they need to participate fully in a changing labour market.
“As AI becomes relevant across a growing range of occupations and industries, it is essential that high-quality training is practical, accessible and closely aligned with the needs of employers. The creation of FIT’s first dedicated physical AI training space is an important step forward in how we deliver these skills.”
He added, “Working with Intel will allow us to combine FIT’s national training network and industry-led approach with world-class learning resources, while the new AI Lab will give learners the opportunity to explore the technology directly and apply their learning in a practical environment.”
Earlier in the month FIT announced plans to address the growing AI skills gap across Ireland by upskilling 400,000 people in AI by 2030.
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