Aspire 2Be Offers Fully Funded AI Courses in Wales

Aspire 2Be, the digital learning specialist within Educ8 Group, has launched four new accredited courses from BCS The Chartered Institute for IT and Microsoft to address Wales’ digital skills gap. The initiative targets a significant challenge facing Welsh businesses, with 42% reporting inadequate AI skills compared to the UK average of 31%, according to the Lloyds Business Barometer. Simultaneously, 51% of Welsh firms plan to increase AI investment in the coming year.

The Welsh Government has prioritized AI skills development. Its AI Plan for Wales, published in November 2025, commits to equipping people with the skills to thrive in an AI-shaped future. In January 2026, the government announced £2.1 million in funding to help SMEs adopt AI, including £1 million through the Flexible Skills Programme to bridge digital skills gaps.

Four new courses are now available, all fully funded for employers and learners across Wales. The BCS Essentials Certificate in Artificial Intelligence provides a one-day, live online introduction to AI concepts and responsible usage. The Microsoft 365 Copilot and Agent Administration Fundamentals course teaches setup and management of AI tools within organisations. Two Microsoft Fabric certifications, Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate and Fabric Data Engineer Associate, build advanced data analytics and engineering capabilities.

These courses create a structured pathway for organisations at different stages of their AI journey. The BCS certificate offers foundational AI knowledge in a single day. The Microsoft courses support safe AI tool deployment and develop the data skills essential for practical AI implementation. Aspire 2Be, based in Port Talbot, serves organisations across Wales and the UK as the only Professional Development Partner for AWS, Google, and Microsoft in the UK. Adding BCS accreditation expands its professional IT credentials.

Cost barriers to upskilling are addressed through full funding, enabling employers to build AI and data capabilities while learners gain credentials from BCS and Microsoft. Matt Smith, MD of Aspire 2Be, stated, “Every organisation we work with is thinking about AI, but many aren’t sure where to start. These courses give people a clear route, from understanding AI responsibly in a single day to building advanced data skills with Microsoft Fabric, and because they’re fully funded, cost is no longer the barrier.”