Launching a new partnership to help young people Get Ready for a Career Using AI are Mark Dougan, Northern Ireland Director, The King’s Trust; Lisa McIlvenna, Managing Director, Business in the Community and Gareth Kelly, AI & Data Partner, EY. Together, they will support young people who are not in education, employment or training to access and be guided towards careers using AI via EY’s Microsoft-accredited AI Skills Passport.

A new partnership between Business in the Community Northern Ireland (BITC) and The King’s Trust will help young people in Northern Ireland take the next step on their career journey by building confidence, digital literacy and employability skills aligned to the needs of employers.

The collaboration will become part of The King’s Trust’s Get Ready For suite of programmes which are designed to inspire and support young people aged 16 to 30 to progress towards education, training or employment.

This new Get Ready for a Career using AI will be championed by professional services firm EY who will provide participants with access to its AI Skills Passport, helping young people understand the opportunities, language and practical applications of artificial intelligence in the workplace. EY volunteers will facilitate introductory sessions on how to use the Passport and share insights from their own career journeys. Participants will subsequently complete a period of self-directed learning supported by The King’s Trust and Business in the Community. The programme will culminate in a celebration event hosted by EY, recognising the achievements of young people who complete the AI Skills Passport and have taken meaningful steps towards their future careers.

The agreement between The King’s Trust and Business in the Community marks an important milestone, with Northern Ireland becoming the first region in the UK where the two organisations have established a working agreement focused on supporting young people into work.

Mark Dougan, Northern Ireland Director, The King’s Trust, said: “We know that many young people face real barriers when taking their first steps towards employment. This programme will provide encouragement, practical learning and ongoing support, helping participants to recognise their potential and build the skills employers are seeking.”

Speaking about the partnership, Lisa McIlvenna, Managing Director, BITC said: “What makes this partnership so valuable is the complete experience it offers young people, combining the trusted support of The King’s Trust, EY’s digital expertise and real-world insight from employers in our member network to help them build confidence and take their next step towards work, education or training.”

Gareth Kelly, AI & Data Partner, EY said: “AI is already reshaping how we learn, work and build careers, and it is vital that young people have access to learning that helps them understand and engage with that change. We are delighted to support this partnership and to help participants build confidence in using digital tools, explore the opportunities that AI can create, and develop the skills they will need as they prepare to enter the working world.”

To learn more, visit www.bitcni.org.uk.