A new report from Skills England has revealed that many employers are finding it difficult to keep up with the pace of AI-driven change. The report, titled AI Skills for the UK Workforce, introduces three new tools designed to help organisations build confidence and capability in using artificial intelligence responsibly.

Sector-Specific Challenges

The report highlights a number of sectors where businesses face particular challenges in adapting to AI:

• Construction – Opportunities such as drone surveying and augmented-reality training are emerging, but limited digital literacy continues to act as a barrier.

• Creative Industries – Freelancers and small companies are adopting AI tools for content creation, often without formal training. This raises concerns about quality, originality and consistency.

• Advanced Manufacturing – The sector is already benefiting from automation and predictive maintenance but is also experiencing an expanding skills gap as its workforce ages.

A common thread across all industries is a lack of clarity about what constitutes “AI skills” and what employees need to learn to stay current.

Three New Tools for Employers

The AI Skills for the UK Workforce report introduces three practical tools to help employers understand and address AI capability gaps:

• The AI Skills Framework – Defines the technical, responsible and non-technical skills required for a range of job roles and seniority levels.

• The AI Skills Adoption Pathway Model – Outlines how organisations typically progress from initial awareness through to strategic integration of AI.

• The Employer AI Adoption Checklist – Provides a practical way for businesses to assess their readiness, identify workforce skills gaps and plan targeted training.

These resources aim to make AI more approachable for employers, particularly smaller businesses that may not have access to dedicated HR or learning and development teams.

Dr Ameen commented: “AI is reshaping the world of work across sectors, but without the right skills, too many people and businesses risk being left behind.”

Accessing the Report

To learn more, the full AI Skills for the UK Workforce report and accompanying tools are available from Skills England