Think’s AI Accelerator Programme helps employees build practical workplace AI skills through just 8 hours of structured learning over four weeks – giving employers a low-disruption way to start developing AI capability across their workforce.
AI is changing the way businesses operate across Liverpool, Wirral and the wider North West. For employers, the challenge is no longer simply understanding whether AI will affect the workplace. It is making sure employees have the practical skills and confidence to use it effectively.
Many teams are already experimenting with generative AI, automation and data tools. But experimentation alone does not automatically lead to better productivity, stronger reporting or more efficient ways of working.
That is why Think has introduced the AI Accelerator Programme – a practical route to AI training for employees that helps existing staff build skills they can begin applying in their role within just four weeks.
What is the AI Accelerator Programme?
The AI Accelerator Programme is the first stage of Think’s Level 3 Data Technician with AI Foundations development pathway.
Employees begin with a focused AI Essentials phase delivered across four weeks. The programme includes four structured two-hour learning phases, covering the foundations of AI, stronger prompting, using AI at work and creating practical AI-supported workflows.
The purpose is not simply to teach employees what AI is. It is to help them understand how AI can improve the work they are already doing – and where it can save time, improve consistency or support better decisions.
Just 8 hours of AI training over 4 weeks
One of the biggest concerns employers have when considering workforce development is time.
Teams are busy. Employees already have responsibilities, targets and customers to support. Managers cannot simply remove people from operational roles for long periods without considering the effect on workload.
The AI Accelerator has been structured around that reality. The initial AI Essentials phase requires just 8 hours of structured learning across four weeks.
That gives employees a manageable route into workplace AI training while they continue in their existing role. Rather than waiting months before applying what they have learned, the programme encourages people to identify practical opportunities in their own work from the outset.
How can AI training benefit employees?
AI skills are becoming relevant across a wide range of roles – not only IT, data or technical positions. The programme is designed for employees including managers, administrators, customer service teams, operational staff and support functions, as well as people who may be relatively new to AI.
During the first four weeks, employees can begin developing the confidence and skills to:
- identify suitable tasks where AI could save time
- reduce repetitive administration
- improve communication and customer messaging
- support reporting and information preparation
- use prompting techniques more effectively
- create simple AI-supported workflows
- use AI more confidently and responsibly in day-to-day work
Reduce repetitive administration and free up time
For many businesses, one of the clearest opportunities for AI is reducing the time employees spend on repetitive, low-value administration.
The AI Accelerator helps employees identify tasks and workflows where AI could support more efficient ways of working. That might include drafting and structuring information, improving routine communications, supporting reporting or simplifying repeatable processes.
For the employee, the benefit is not simply ‘doing more’. It can mean spending less time on repetitive processes and more time on work that requires judgement, collaboration, problem-solving or customer interaction.
For the employer, that can translate into stronger productivity from the people already within the organisation.
Help employees use AI more effectively – not just more often
Giving employees access to AI tools does not automatically mean those tools will be used well.
The programme includes practical development around prompt preparation, constraints and iteration. This helps employees understand how to give AI clearer instructions, assess the output and improve it rather than simply accepting the first response.
That distinction matters. The objective is to move from occasional experimentation towards more purposeful, consistent use of AI in the workplace.
Identify real AI opportunities inside the business
Some of the best opportunities for AI adoption are often identified by the employees who already understand the process.
Where is time being lost? Which activities are repetitive? Where is information being manually copied, organised, rewritten or reported? Which tasks could potentially be supported by AI or automation?
The AI Accelerator encourages employees to look at their own role through this lens, helping them connect AI training directly to real workplace challenges rather than learning in isolation.
From 4 weeks of AI training to long-term data and automation capability
The initial four-week AI Accelerator is designed to create an early foundation. Employees can then continue through the Level 3 Data Technician pathway, developing deeper capability in data, dashboards, reporting, automation and AI.
The longer development phase is designed around business workloads and gives learners the opportunity to build skills that can support better decision-making and more efficient processes over time.
The wider pathway can help employees develop skills in:
- data preparation and governance
- visualisation and dashboards
- data analysis and reporting
- management information
- workflow automation
- AI-enabled improvement
- decision support
Develop internal AI champions
One of the longer-term benefits for employers is the opportunity to develop people internally who can support wider AI adoption.
Instead of relying only on external support, organisations can begin building employees who understand the technology, understand the business and can help colleagues identify practical opportunities for improvement.
That can support a more sustainable approach to AI adoption – one that develops internal confidence and capability rather than treating AI as a one-off project.
AI training for businesses in Liverpool, Wirral and the North West
For employers across Liverpool, Wirral and the wider North West, AI capability is increasingly becoming part of wider workforce development planning.
Think works with employers to help existing employees develop practical skills in AI, data and automation, with programmes designed around the realities of the workplace.
The AI Accelerator gives organisations a practical starting point: employees complete just 8 hours of AI learning across four weeks before progressing into deeper data and automation development through the Level 3 Data Technician pathway.
Whether you are looking for AI training in Liverpool, developing employees across Wirral, or building a wider North West workforce development programme, the focus is the same – helping people apply AI practically within the roles they already perform.
Can the AI Accelerator be funded through the Growth & Skills Levy?
For eligible employers, the AI Accelerator and wider Level 3 Data Technician pathway can be funded through the Growth & Skills Levy.
For levy-paying organisations, this can provide a way to use existing levy funding to build AI, data and automation capability within the workforce.
For smaller eligible employers, funded routes may also significantly reduce the employer contribution required.
Funding depends on employer and learner eligibility, so Think can help organisations understand which route may apply before they commit.
Why this approach works for employers
The strongest feature of the AI Accelerator is the balance between development and disruption. Employees need new skills, but businesses still need day-to-day work to get done.
- Only 8 hours of structured learning during the initial four-week phase
- Skills are linked to real workplace tasks and processes
- Employees can apply learning quickly rather than waiting months for value
- The programme can progress into deeper data and automation capability
- Employers can begin developing internal AI confidence and champions
- Eligible organisations may be able to use Growth & Skills Levy funding
Who is the AI Accelerator Programme for?
The programme could be particularly relevant to employers looking to:
- develop AI confidence across existing teams
- increase productivity without simply increasing workload
- reduce repetitive administrative activity
- improve data and reporting capability
- identify opportunities for automation
- develop employees into internal AI champions
- create a more AI-ready workforce
- offer practical development linked to employees’ existing roles
It is not designed only for employees who already have technical or data experience. The initial AI Essentials stage is suitable for a broad range of business functions and can provide an accessible starting point for employees who are relatively new to AI.
Start building practical AI capability in your workforce
AI adoption is moving quickly. For businesses, the opportunity is not simply having access to AI tools. It is having employees who understand when to use them, how to use them effectively and where they could improve the way the organisation works.
Think’s AI Accelerator Programme gives employees a practical starting point: 4 weeks, 8 hours of learning and workplace AI skills they can begin applying within their role.
Employees can then continue developing deeper data, automation and AI capability through the Level 3 Data Technician pathway.
How long does AI training for employees take?
The AI Accelerator begins with 8 hours of structured AI learning delivered over four weeks. Employees can then continue into the wider Level 3 Data Technician pathway for deeper development in data, automation and AI.
Who is the AI Accelerator suitable for?
It is suitable for a broad range of employees, including managers, administrators, customer service teams, operational staff and support functions. It is also suitable for employees who are relatively new to using AI.
What will employees learn during the AI Accelerator?
Employees develop practical skills in AI foundations, prompting, workplace use cases and basic AI-supported workflow design, with a focus on applying those skills to real tasks within their role.
Is the AI Accelerator only for technical employees?
No. The programme is designed for employees across a wide range of business functions, not only technical or data specialists.
Can employers in Liverpool and Wirral access funded AI training?
Eligible employers may be able to use Growth & Skills Levy funding or other funded routes towards qualifying workforce development. Funding depends on employer and learner eligibility, so this should be checked before enrolment.
