Government unveils £1.1 billion plan to bolster future skills

Will fund training of over 4,000 students across the UK

The UK government has unveiled a funding package aiming to upskill thousands of individuals in fields including AI, quantum computing, 6G and medicine.

Science and technology secretary Michelle Donelan made the announcement at the annual Maths Summit in London's Science Museum, setting out a strategic vision to bolster the nation's proficiency in emerging technologies and solidifying its stature as a global lead in innovation.

At the heart of the plans is a funding pool touted as the UK's most substantial investment in engineering and physical science doctoral skills to date.

With a fund exceeding £1 billion - drawn from government coffers, private enterprises, charitable organisations and academia - the initiative will facilitate the training of over 4,000 students in 65 Centres for Doctoral Training across the UK.

The plan is to empower students with opportunities to pursue advanced degrees and engage in cutting-edge research, close to their homes.

The government has allocated the majority of training opportunities outside south-east England in cities including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol, Sheffield and Manchester. These will host around 350, 300, 250 and 150 students, respectively.

The scope of investment encompasses an array of technological domains. For example, King's College London will establish a centre dedicated to training researchers in advanced engineering techniques, including the deployment of micro-surgical robots.

Meanwhile, initiatives at the University of Bristol will harness the power of digital chemistry, bolstered by AI, to expedite the discovery and development of novel pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics and cancer treatments.

Augmenting the government's endeavour is a commitment of over £60 million towards new quantum skills programmes, slated to run until 2034.

This funding encompasses £14 million earmarked for 100 quantum PhD studentships across UK universities, and an additional £14 million to facilitate the progression of early career researchers.

Furthermore, approximately £4 million will be allocated towards creating apprenticeship pathways into the burgeoning quantum industry, ensuring a steady influx of skilled professionals.

"Building on our reforms to the skills system will require work from each and every one of us - universities, schools, and businesses," Donelan said.

"By doubling down on our investments in skills and backing British business, we can lay the foundations for an economy fit for the future - an economy that creates jobs and improves lives for communities up and down the country."

Stakeholders shared their enthusiasm about the investments.

"Adopting the latest cutting-edge technology will allow us to deliver faster, simpler, and fairer care for patients, and this investment reflects the scale of our ambition," said health and social care secretary Victoria Atkins.

Professor Charlotte Deane, executive chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, lauded the inception of new centres, citing their role in nurturing future skills across an array of sectors and industries.

"The high calibre of both the new centres and applicants is a testament to the abundance of research excellence across the UK, and EPSRC's role as part of UKRI is to invest in this excellence to advance knowledge and deliver a sustainable, resilient and prosperous nation," she added.