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AI skills training for businesses & teams. In person across the UK & online. 140+ people trained. 2–5 hours saved per week. No prior AI experience needed.

Barnsley · Starts 15 September

10 week AI skills programme for small business owners - no tech skills needed

This is the sign you've been waiting for.

You know AI could save you time, profit and stress. You just don't know where to start.

This is your chance to change that.

Join our 10-week Ignite AI programme, where we help you gain practical AI skills you can use every day. No jargon. No tech experience needed.

Apply nowWhat you'll learn
Funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology as part of Barnsley Tech Town, delivered by Barnsley Council and Fossu Ltd.
An Ignite AI trainer presenting to a room of business owners in front of the Ignite AI banner

10 weeks of weekly sessions via Zoom, plus in-person drop-in clinics. Our next cohort kicks off on 15 September 2026.

Funded and delivered with

Department for Science, Innovation & TechnologyBarnsley Tech TownEnterprising Barnsley

A hands-on 10 week programme designed to help Barnsley residents put AI to work in their business:

Understand AI and find the right tools for your business

Cut through the hype and focus on what actually works

Save time and money with smarter ways of working

Automate the repetitive work in your business

Walk away with AI already working for you

By the end of this programme you won't just understand AI - you'll be using it every day.

This programme is for you if

  • You live in Barnsley
  • You're interested in learning about AI
  • You want to work smarter and save time
  • You want practical, real-world support
  • You're ready to take action
  • You have 120 minutes free of an evening each week

You do not need

  • A technical background
  • A finished business plan
  • A team
  • Funding

Just commitment and curiosity.

Over 10 weeks you'll:

Week 1 - 3

Get AI Ready

  • Define your customer, problem and efficiency gaps
  • Discover the best free AI tools right now
  • Evaluate tools safely and avoid costly mistakes
  • Learn AI prompting and usage basics

Week 4 - 7

AI in Action

  • Get hands-on with tools like Claude and ChatGPT
  • Use AI to improve marketing, content and customer communications
  • Automate repetitive admin and tasks
  • Build confidence with guided exercises and peer support

Week 8 - 9

Build, Test & Embed

  • Design and test your first AI workflow for your business
  • Refine it based on feedback from peers and mentors
  • Easily add AI tools into your existing processes
  • Create a clear plan for ongoing AI adoption as you grow

Week 10

Showcase Day

  • Present your AI learnings to the cohort and invited guests
  • Connect with the wider business and digital community
  • Explore next steps (incubators, accelerators, further support)
A full room of business owners watching a live demonstration on screen

An in-person evening session at the Digital Media Centre (2-3 hrs, with networking)
Weekly virtual teaching sessions (120 minutes of an evening)
Regular in-person clinics for hands-on support
Access to mentors and technical guidance
You won't be left stuck on your own.
Apply now

In February 2026, Barnsley was named the UK's first government-backed Tech Town

Named by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and backed by leading firms including Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe and Google. This programme is fully funded as part of that initiative, to make sure local Barnsley business owners are first in line to benefit from the AI revolution.

This is Barnsley's moment - and we want you to be a part of it.

By the end of the 10 weeks you'll have:
Your first AI workflow live inside your business
A toolkit of prompts, templates and resources to keep using
A clear roadmap for continued AI adoption as you grow
Confidence using AI tools - without needing a tech background
Connections within the Barnsley ecosystem
This isn't theory. You'll leave with AI working for your business.

If you've been waiting for the “right time” to learn about AI, this is it. Don't get left behind.

Our next 10 week cohort kicks off on 15 September.

Programme details

Duration
10 weeks
Format
Weekly evening sessions, hybrid (Zoom calls + in-person build clinics)
Location
Barnsley (Digital Media Centre) and on Zoom
Cost
Free
Places
Limited cohort

Spots are limited and applications close once the cohort is full. This programme is open to applicants within Barnsley only.

Prefer email? hello@weareignite.ai

Proudly supported and funded by

Department for Science, Innovation & TechnologyBarnsley Tech TownEnterprising Barnsley