AI for Business Essentials
Harness AI to save time, cut costs, and drive growth.
Make More Money In Less Time
AI is moving fast, and the people who understand how to use it now will be the ones who thrive tomorrow.
Whether you run a small business, freelance or have a portfolio of clients, understanding how to use AI tools can create an impressive competitive edge, and this course shows you how to start using AI where it matters most.
Over 15 weeks, our online AI Skills Bootcamp will confidently walk you through everything you need to use AI in your job, business or career. From saving time on everyday tasks, to generating more sales leads, improving decision-making and driving innovation.
Fully-Funded
Skills Bootcamps are free* for job-seekers and self-employed applicants. You must have proof of self-employment to register.
Partially funded opportunities for PAYE.
Commitment and Support
Structured online learning and tutor support throughout for a successful 2025.
Results-driven Training
Led by a certified AI trainer with over 30 years experience in business and consultancy.
Nurture your inner AI superstar
Cut through the AI hype—this practical course shows you exactly where AI can make a real impact on your business.
The AI Skills Bootcamp is designed to give business owners a fast, practical understanding of how to use AI to save time, boost productivity and grow their business. You’ll explore eight essential pillars of AI that every business owner needs to stay competitive in an AI-powered world – no tech background needed.
Whether you want to generate more sales leads, improve your marketing activity, solve everyday business problems or speak confidently to clients about AI, this course gives you the understanding and skills to use AI in your business today.
Unlock Innovation and Productivity
Learn how to get more done in less time by using AI to help you work smarter, scale faster and stay ahead of your competitors.
No Jargon, Just Skills.
Practical, hands-on learning that gives you the confidence to use AI safely from day one – no tech background needed
Course Overview
Introduction to AI : Embark on your AI journey by discovering the pivotal moments that shaped artificial intelligence and transformed the business landscape. You’ll master essential AI concepts and terminology while exploring real-world applications that are revolutionizing how companies operate today.
Prompt Engineering Techniques: Unlock the power of effective communication with AI by mastering the art of prompt engineering. You’ll discover how to craft compelling prompts using the proven RAPPER framework and build your own comprehensive prompt library for consistent results.
Getting AI to Sound Like Your Brand: Transform generic AI responses into authentic brand communications that truly represent your voice. Learn how to personalise ChatGPT with your business knowledge and create a distinctive tone of voice that resonates with your audience.
Creating a Custom GPT: Step into the world of custom AI solutions by exploring the full capabilities of personalized GPTs. You’ll build, deploy, and continuously refine your own custom GPT tailored specifically to your business needs.
Image and Video Creation: Bring your creative vision to life through AI-powered visual content. Master the techniques of prompt engineering for stunning image generation, then expand into creating compelling AI-generated videos and soundscapes.
Identifying AI Use Cases: Discover meaningful opportunities where AI can transform your business operations. Learn to align potential use cases with your strategic goals and identify role-specific applications that deliver real value.
Creating AI Workflows: Streamline your business processes by mapping current workflows and pinpointing areas for improvement. You’ll learn to identify inefficiencies and define clear AI opportunities that enhance productivity.
Planning Your AI Journey: Chart a strategic path forward by assessing your current AI readiness and mapping out priority opportunities. Create a comprehensive roadmap that guides your organization’s AI transformation with confidence.
Understanding the Role of Data: Gain essential insights into the foundation of AI success through data literacy. Explore what data means for AI applications, master security fundamentals, and learn powerful techniques for AI-driven data analysis.
Understanding AI Risks: Navigate the AI landscape safely by recognizing common pitfalls and potential challenges. Learn to identify specific risks within your business context and develop a practical AI usage policy that protects your organization.
Choosing the Right AI Tools: Make informed decisions about AI technology by understanding how these tools are developed and function. You’ll learn to identify solutions relevant to your business and create a comprehensive vendor evaluation checklist for secure adoption.
Building Personal Resilience in AI Era: Prepare yourself for the evolving workplace by understanding how AI impacts professional skills and career development. Create a personalized growth plan while exploring the critical role of ethical decision-making in our AI-driven future.
Peer Learning: Connect with fellow learners in dynamic face-to-face sessions where you’ll share insights, exchange roadmaps, and build valuable relationships that support your ongoing AI journey.
Emma Shepherd
Certified AI Specialist
As a certified AI specialist with over 30 years of experience in business and consultancy, I deliver AI training that empowers professionals, from solopreneurs and small business owners to senior leaders, to understand and apply AI in practical, results-driven ways.
By embedding AI into the core of my business operations, I’ve saved time and increased profits—and now I help others do the same. My grounded, strategic approach cuts through the AI hype to uncover real opportunities for growth and innovation.
The AI Skills Bootcamp is a comprehensive training course designed for professionals at all levels. Combining practical tools with strategic insight, it equips participants with the skills needed to integrate AI into their roles, careers, or businesses and stay competitive in an AI-powered world.
I’m also a passionate advocate for closing the AI skills gap and a proud signatory of the Workforce Digital Skills Charter. In recognition of my commitment to collaborating with organisations, including government departments, I’ve been invited to attend the 2025 Workforce Digital Skills Summit.
Attending this workshop was exactly what I needed to quickly bring me up to speed on how AI integration can generate business growth. The workshop provided me with a clear framework to help start identifying high-impact use cases. I now understand the huge potential for AI to assist in all areas of our operations, streamlining processes and boosting profitability.
Register Your Interest Today
We look forward to welcoming you to our Skills Bootcamp in AI Essentials for Business and helping you achieve your AI goals. Let’s conquer the world of artificial intelligence together!
Ongoing Support
We support you after the Skills Bootcamp is completed, helping you grow your transferable skills into real-world scenarios.
Gain A Competitive Edge
Use AI to unlock innovation, make smarter decisions and drive business growth.
Tailored To Your Needs
Dedicate 4 hours a week for 15 weeks online to assist you to take on more clients or find your ideal role in AI.
Productivity and Profit
Use AI to work faster and concentrate on activities that attract more customers.
This is a 15-week course with 60 hours of learning total. Skills Bootcamps are subject to funding from the Department of Education, and eligibility criteria apply. Please register your interest using the form below.
Am I eligible?
For this Skills Bootcamp, you are required to be self employed or under PAYE. No previous knowledge is required.
You must be over the age of 19 to be eligible.
What equipment will I need?
You'll need a laptop/desktop with a camera, microphone, and reliable internet.
What happens after?
Upon successful completion of the Skills Bootcamp, you will receive a certificate plus further support from the Berkshire Growth Hub team.
Do I pay?
If you are self employed you do not need to pay.
If you wish to upskill your own teams, as a business you will contribute a portion of funding (10% for SMEs, 30% for large employers), while the Department for Education covers the rest.
What are Skills Bootcamps?
Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with an employer.
Our Skills Bootcamp in AI Essentials for Business is a comprehensive, funded program that provides you with the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your AI skills to the next level. We believe that everyone has the potential to become a sales superstar, and our goal is to help you unlock that potential.
Our mission is to help you master AI tools and techniques to increase your efficiency and accelerate your business growth.
