Fully funded AI training for businesses in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex

TechFirst are helping businesses across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex to break barriers and access the AI and digital skills they need. If you’re looking to hire new digital talent, or have a team member ready to upskill, we can help. You can also access up to £2,000 in funding to assist with implementation.

What do I get?
Funded by UK Government. TechFirst.Two Tech Educators team members working together at a laptop

Businesses across the East can build their AI and digital capabilities in two ways:

Create a new role for a trained graduate

Want to bring new digital capabilities into your organisation? We’ll help you shape an AI-enabled role and match you with a recent graduate from our AI Literacy for Business course.

Upskill an existing employee

Is someone in your business ready to become and AI champion? Existing employees can also take the AI Literacy for Business course and bring new skills into their current role.

Looking to train yourself?

Fully funded AI Literacy for Business training is also available for individuals who want to build their own skills.

Training for individuals

What is the AI Literacy for Business course?

This is a 9-week Level 3 equivalent course. Learners will come away with the skills and confidence to effectively integrate AI into their day-to-day role. They will develop a clear understanding of the ethical and legal landscape and be able to build a robust AI policy fit for your organisations needs.

Core topics include:

Core topics include:

  • The fundamentals of machine learning and LLMs
  • Effective prompt engineering
  • Data analysis and compliance
  • Critical thinking and the importance of human judgement
  • Practical applications for AI in business
Upcoming courses:
2nd December 202614th January 2027
Learner using a laptop and taking notes

What your business gets:

AI & Digital Business Review

Tell us about your business, your current use of digital technology, and how AI adoption could support you. We’ll help you identify where AI could make the biggest impact, and which route is the best fit for your business.

Fully funded AI training

Whether you employ or upskill, your business will benefit from a fully funded AI course designed around the practical needs of the modern workplace. You can improve productivity, use data more effectively, and stay competitive.

Access to £2,000 funding & support

We want businesses to benefit from AI adoption in a meaningful and sustainable way. We’re offering three months of structured mentoring and up to £2,000 to assist with integration costs, such as software licensing and onboarding.

Interested? We’re looking for businesses that:

  • Are based in Norfolk, Essex, or Suffolk
  • Have a clear business need for AI and digital skills
  • Have management buy-in
  • Can provide a meaningful role or development opportunity
  • Are committed to supporting participants during and after training
  • See taking part as a long-term investment

New roles must meet the following requirements:

This is not a short-term placement or internship. New hires must be contracted for a minimum of 25 hours per week for six months or more. Interested businesses should demonstrate an intention to keep the participant on beyond the minimum commitment period. The role must demonstrate genuine business value, with AI and digital technology forming part of their core responsibilities.

TechFirst is delivered by two partners

Tech Educators

Tech Educators help people from all backgrounds learn the practical skills necessary for a long, successful career. As the lead delivery partner, they will be delivering the course curriculum, providing technical mentoring, and supporting candidate recruitment.

Connected Innovation

Connected Innovation supports business innovation activities across the East of England. They will be supporting employers through the process, assisting with role identification, engagement events, and funding administration.

Frequently asked questions

Is there any cost to my business?

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Do I have to hire someone?

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Can I put forward someone who already works for me?

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What can the £2,000 fund be spent on?

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What if we’re not in Norfolk, Suffolk or Essex?

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How quickly does this need to happen?

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When does the AI Literacy for Business course start?

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Learners collaborating during a training session

Ready to build AI
skills in your business?

We’ll get in touch within 10 days after your registration to discuss your specific scenario and go over the next steps.

Learner working on a desktop computer

Create a new role and recruit a trained graduate

We help you shape an AI-enabled role and match you with a graduate of the AI Literacy for Business course.

What’s involved

What the role must meet

A minimum of 25 hours a week (permanent or fixed-term) for six months or more. It must be genuine role (not a placement or internship) that uses AI or digital technology day to day.

Not a business?

Upskill an existing employee

Put forward someone from your team to take the AI Literacy for Business course and apply it in their current role.

What’s involved

Upcoming courses: 2nd December 2026 · 14th January 2027

Who can be put forward

Someone already on your team, contracted for at least 25 hours a week. You must confirm any new responsibilities they take on in writing.

Not a business?

Register your interest

Tell us about your business and where you’re based.
It’s a conversation, not a commitment.

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    Your interest has been submitted

    Thank you for registering your interest! A member from the Connected Innovation team will get in touch within the next 10 days.