A severe shortage of tech skills in the UK threatens to hinder the government’s ambitions for AI jobs in the UK. This shortage casts a shadow over initiatives like the AI Opportunities Action Plan, as announced in January by Prime Minister, Keir Starmer. The plan aims to create over 13,000 tech sector jobs. However, this goal may be difficult to achieve, as new data reveals a scarcity of qualified professionals in the UK to fill these roles.
In our upcoming Tech Talent Hiring Guide, we cover the significant gap between the demand for and supply of skilled tech workers – including those that work in AI – with these positions projected to be the most challenging to hire for in 2025.
43% of UK business leaders are already looking to international talent pools to address this deficit. Within the tech industry specifically, three-quarters of companies are seeking skilled workers from overseas. This trend is something that we are seeing here at Venquis among our clients and aligns perfectly with our mission to connect global talent with global opportunities. Our extensive network of tech professionals – including AI professionals – spans the globe, giving us a wealth of qualified candidates that will support the government’s plans to increase AI jobs in the UK.
Why international talent is needed to boost AI jobs in the UK
A skills shortage could jeopardise the UK’s goal of becoming a leader in AI. Finding the necessary talent to fuel private sector innovation is currently proving difficult: without a sufficient pool of skilled workers, growth in the tech sector could stall, hindering UK competitiveness on the world stage. To rectify this, business and government alike need to adapt to attract international talent to bridge this gap.
In 2022, there were only 46,000 graduates, making the challenge of boosting AI jobs in the UK considerable. The government’s response to this has been to stress the importance of training tens of thousands of workers by 2030 to support the AI action plan’s success. While these long-term training initiatives are essential, businesses need solutions now. Venquis can bridge this gap by providing access to experienced AI and tech professionals ready to contribute immediately.
International talent brings diverse perspectives, specialised knowledge and a wealth of experience gained in various global context. Their expertise can accelerate the progress of AI jobs in the UK, across key areas including machine learning, natural language processing and computer vision. By attracting and retaining top international tech talent, the UK can start to work towards solidifying its position as a global AI powerhouse that will drive innovation, create high-skilled jobs and secure its economic future.
Addressing the skills gap is still crucial for the UK tech sector to thrive
The severity of the skills gap is evident, and Rachel Reeves has proposed high-skill visas to attract AI talent from abroad. Announced at the World Economic Forum recently, the government plans to release an immigration white paper later this year, which will outline proposed changes to visa policies designed to attract skilled workers and stimulate economic growth. While promising, in the meantime businesses must also consider remote workers to support the advancement of AI jobs in the UK. At Venquis, we understand the complexities of international hiring and guide our clients and candidates through the process regularly, ensuring compliance and the seamless movement of talent across borders.
Despite these challenges posed by the skills shortage, there are some positive signs. A recent LinkedIn report indicates growing momentum among UK companies in the AI sector. The report also found a surge of over 310% in AI-related talent in the UK over the past eight years. Furthermore, 25% of British businesses now consider AI a necessary skill for career advancement.
While the skills gap is a serious concern, but increasing the recognition of AI’s importance and the growth of talent to support AI jobs in the UK offer reasons for optimism. The government’s efforts to increase training – and potentially ease visa restrictions – could further alleviate the challenge. The coming years will be crucial in determining whether the UK can bridge the skills gap and fully realise its potential in the AI field. However, would this be too late? At Venquis, we specialise in placing candidates in a wide range of AI roles in the UK and beyond, with access to a genuinely global pool of top tech talent. Contact us today to explore how we can help you find the perfect AI role, the perfect AI candidate and help accelerate the progress of AI jobs in the UK.
