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Launch of the Data and AI Academy

28 Jan 2025

An exciting new apprenticeship programme for Professional Services colleagues

Metal hand

We have recently launched the Data and AI Academy here at the University – an exciting new initiative in partnership with Multiverse – aimed at upskilling our Professional Services colleagues in critical digital and AI skills. This programme forms part of our drive to better leverage technology tools and data to enhance student experiences.

The first cohort of 70 colleagues, mainly from IT Services but also colleagues from Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and the Library too, have just started the programme which will run for 13 months. It is hoped we will be able to expand the training to other areas across Professional Services later in 2025.

PJ Hemmaway, Chief Information Officer (CIO), IT Services, remarked: “I’m thrilled to be partnering with Multiverse, a leader in high-quality training through applied learning, to offer these unique and highly relevant professional development opportunities to our colleagues. Our approach will increase digital confidence around data and AI, preparing us for future challenges. Data and AI skills will be critical, and I’m eager to see our first cohort harness these innovative technologies for the benefit of our University community and student experience.”

Robert Williams, Apprenticeships Programme Manager at the University said: “The Data and AI Academy is a dynamic addition to our growing apprenticeship offering. This partnership underscores our commitment to supporting staff development and highlights the vital role apprenticeships play in driving personal and professional growth across our institution.”

The courses offered by Multiverse are funded by the apprenticeship levy and include the following programmes:

  • AI for Business Value: Helps learners identify operational and commercial gains through responsible AI usage, focusing on improving student experience and organisational development.
  • Data Fellowship: Aims to develop a team of data specialists within the University by upskilling employees in data analysis, supporting our 10-year futureproofing framework.
  • AI-Powered Productivity: Enhances team output by leveraging Microsoft 365 Copilot, aligning with the University’s investment in forward-looking technology.

According to the Multiverse Skills Intelligence Report, the education sector faces significant impacts from a lack of data skills, with 38% of employee time spent unproductively on data tasks. The Data and AI Academy will help mitigate this by offering tailored programmes to enhance data analytics and AI capabilities among our staff, fostering a more data-driven workforce.