Businesses in Blackburn with Darwen to benefit from trailblazing new AI training for free

Businesses and organisations in Blackburn with Darwen are set to be among the first in the country to benefit from empowering AI training with the IN4 Group, one of the UK’s largest professional technology skills providers.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has successfully secured Government funding to support the roll-out the impressive scheme right across the borough – offering the training to more than 60 businesses from the industrial, professional and public sector – all for free.

IN4 Group’s pioneering Modern Worker for the Modern Workplace programme officially launched at a hugely successful Youth Zone Supporters Launch hosted at Graham and Brown.

Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone has a strong patronage scheme boasting more than 70 businesses from across the area which help fund the important work that the charity delivers for young people – with a focus on equipping them with the right skills for life.

The fully funded MWMW programme aims to empower senior leaders and enhance human intelligence using generative AI. It includes masterclasses from industry experts, showcases and practical workshops.

Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We are delivering our biggest-ever growth programme in the borough.

“We must ensure that we have the right opportunities for our residents and businesses to allow them to succeed and we’re on a mission to ensure no-one is left behind.

“Already, we’ve worked with IN4 Group to secure a pilot of their MEGA Hub scheme for our young people - rolling it out to every high school in the borough.

“This will ensure pupils are equipped with the very best cyber and technology skills – giving them the best chance to pursue successful careers in that ever-growing sector.

“This new programme – the Modern Worker for the Modern Workplace – will ensure our businesses have cutting-edge skills too, skills that will allow them to embrace new AI technology and ensure they can succeed in a modern world.

“Again, this scheme has been brought about through incredibly strong partnership working in the borough – with IN4 Group and Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone – something we are incredibly passionate about and proud of as a Council.

“This is an opportunity I hope our businesses will embrace.”

Already, 10 businesses have signed-up for the first of three cohorts, including Youth Zone patrons BBF and Staci, with the training being delivered at Blackburn College’s Industry Collaboration Zone.

The scheme will support businesses in realising productivity and growth outcomes by upskilling their workforce using generative AI.

At the event, IN4 Group CEO, Mo Isap, welcomed two guest speakers to the stage – Chris Wood from AWS (Amazon Web Services) and Heath Groves from Sundown Solutions, a Microsoft partner.

They spoke about the importance of businesses unlocking the power of AI with a focus on ‘human intelligence’ and not ‘artificial intelligence.”

Mo told the packed audience of patrons and supporters: “I’m a proud Blackburn lad delivering training to businesses right around the world.

“I’m absolutely committed to Blackburn with Darwen and to Lancashire as a place, and I want to give our businesses here the skills they need to really succeed.

“This programme is about unlocking the potential of our people and empowering them through tech.

“We want to enhance human intelligence, secure the local workforce and ensure we can work towards sustainable business growth and higher-paid jobs.”

Speaking about AI, Heath Groves from Sundown Solutions, added: “Businesses not using AI are being left behind, there’s no doubt about it – every single facet of a business can be enhanced by AI.

“It’s a tool – a brand-new tool – which is just as important as the calculator proved to be.

“The technology has come on leaps and bounds and the cost is no longer a barrier, it’s having the people out there to utilise it, which is why this training is so important.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council has also recently had its plans for a new Skills and Cyber Campus of national significance passed, with £20m of funding re-confirmed by the new Government.

And the Lancashire Devolution Deal has also been passed – something the business community has strongly supported.

Andrew Graham MBE, CEO of Graham and Brown and Founder and Trustee of Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone said: “Here at Graham and Brown, we’re on our own digital journey and have built the world’s first mass digital wallpaper factory.

“We are seeing first-hand the real benefits that technology offers to a business, and the Youth Zone is proud to be supporting this new scheme for our patrons and businesses across the borough.

“We want our young people to have opportunities at every level and we know that having a strong economy is key to that.

“For more than 15 years, we have been working with the Council and our patrons to make a real difference in the borough and it’s fantastic to see how that can all come together with a programme like this.”

Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone is open 7 days a week and offers more than 20 activities each evening.

The charity is funded through the support of local businesses, called patrons who help with the cost of running their youth zones in both towns. You can find out more by clicking here.

IN4 Group is an award-winning technology group, driving prosperity for businesses and communities. Delivering a unique technology talent acquisition solution Through its programmes and services, it provides educational enrichment that leads to economic empowerment. Ensuring fair access to technology futures for all.

The Group operates several brands including Skills City, one of the country’s largest digital Skills Bootcamps operations; Gametech which encompasses esports, Unity and Unreal Engine; CyberFirst North West; and HOST, the Home of Skills & Technology, one of the North West’s most established innovation hubs, based at MediaCity, Salford.

The group is also a Blackburn with Darwen Youth Zone Patron. You can find out more about IN4 here.

The Modern Worker for the Modern Workplace programme is open to all businesses in Blackburn with Darwen.

You can register your interest today by contacting Tamima Mulla-Shah, Regional Manager for the North West at IN4 Group - [email protected]