UK launches AI bootcamps to tackle youth unemployment in Preston

In Preston’s Vault centre, a government-backed AI bootcamp is underway for young people classified as NEET. The three-week programme, delivered by IN4 Group, teaches participants to develop AI models, grasp corporate AI use and apply the technology responsibly. Around 70 attendees will receive training and may move into apprenticeships offered by JD Sports, Heinz, Agilysys and other partners, covering roles in AI-enhanced marketing and IT helpdesks.

Students such as Khudeija Rafique and Remy Simms report a shift in their perception of AI, seeing it as a career asset rather than a threat. Analysts note the pilot could provide data on how AI affects the non-graduate labour market, while critics argue broader reforms are needed to address the NEET crisis. The initiative reflects a wider policy push to combine digital skills development with efforts to reduce youth unemployment.