Last month, the Prime Minister announced a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Opportunities Action Plan, to use AI to deliver a decade of National Renewal.
For National Apprenticeship Week, we spoke to Digital Route Panel members Sarah Hague and Dr Matthew Forshaw. Read on to learn why AI and Cyber Security apprenticeships are now more important than ever.
Sarah is Chief Operating Officer at BlackDice Cyber, a start-up specialising in enterprise grade cyber defence solutions to telecoms operator subscribers.
Matthew is Senior Advisor for Skills to The Alan Turing Institute, and a Reader in Data Science at Newcastle University. His work in data and AI skills includes working with the Government on the skills commitments of the National Data Strategy and National AI Strategy, and as College of Experts member to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
Why, as an industry leader, are you passionate about developing apprenticeships in your sector?
Sarah: Cybersecurity is essential for protecting critical infrastructure and citizens. It is evolving constantly, particularly with the pace of AI adoption. More aspects of life are becoming digitised and connected to the internet. This increases the opportunity for attacks. Fighting cybercrime and building resilience, requires investment in skills training.
Apprenticeships can play a significant role in addressing skills gaps. They lower barriers to entry and widen the talent pool.
Small and medium sized businesses often cannot afford to invest in full-scale cybersecurity programmes. Apprenticeship programmes can be a cost-effective way to build in-house cyber capabilities.
Matthew: For the UK to lead the way in the safe and ethical adoption of AI, it must have an AI workforce which is as diverse and representative as the general population. I am passionate about democratising access to training across all levels of education. I see apprenticeships as a powerful mechanism to achieve this vision.
I am particularly passionate about apprenticeships' competency-based approach. This gives clarity into the skills needed by industry.
Where do you see the value and benefit of apprenticeships in AI and Cyber Security?
Matthew: The impact of artificial intelligence will be felt across all sectors of UK industry, from healthcare to manufacturing. It will drive transformation in public services. Many roles will involve using AI technologies. We must equip the workforce will the skills to be able to make use of these tools.
Sarah: At BlackDice, we currently have three apprentices working across software development, software testing, and cyber security . They are critical members of our team. We give them exciting and meaningful projects to work on, so in turn they can develop relevant skills.
Our apprentices have contributed to our mission from day one. They work at the forefront of cyber security technology and deliver crucial work every day. They have all accepted full-time employment on completion of their programmes. We hope they will go on to inspire our next intake, who will continue our work to protect businesses and families all over the world.
For me, apprenticeships aren’t just training people for jobs, they’re preparing them for meaningful, impactful careers.
How is your work on IfATE’s digital route panel contributing to the skills pillar of the government’s National Data Strategy, and the National AI Strategy?
Sarah: Being part of IfATE’s Digital Route Panel has been an incredible opportunity to shape the future of skills training. One of the key areas we focus on is embedding data literacy into every standard. Understanding, analysing, and using data isn’t only for tech roles anymore.
Everyone benefits from asking, “What data will help me make better decisions?” and “How do I communicate these insights clearly?” By building these skills into apprenticeships, we’re preparing people to work smarter and create real value in their roles.
Being a member of a route panel provides an amazing opportunity to ensure that all standards and qualifications will give people the skills they need to contribute to the advancement of their respective sectors and professions.
Matthew: Recently I have collaborated with IfATE colleagues to support IfATE officials and trailblazer groups to understand AI skills needs for their industries.
This builds on my work at The Alan Turing Institute to develop the UK’s AI Skills for Business Competency Framework, in collaboration with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Innovate UK’s BridgeAI programme. I’m looking forward to continuing to support IfATE colleagues to maximise the opportunity to embed AI skills across all sectors.
The strength of employer voice is crucial in fast-paced areas such as Artificial Intelligence.
How is AI supporting the cyber security industry? How can the two industries work together using apprenticeships?
Sarah: AI is reshaping cybersecurity as both a powerful ally and a potential risk. AI has the potential to significantly enhance cyber security resilience, for example, in threat and anomaly detection and response. To leverage the potential of AI, we need skilled people who understand the technology, can manage its risks, and know how to apply it ethically.
AI technology and use cases will evolve at a pace quicker than we can update qualification standards. We need to make sure that ethics, transparency and bias are embedded in all standards and qualifications. These principles will help apprentices think critically about how and why AI should be used.
Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should!
Matthew: Artificial Intelligence is revolutionising cybersecurity by enabling real-time threat detection, predictive analysis, and automated responses to cyber threats.
Meanwhile, these same technologies also present significant cybersecurity risks. Generative AI chatbots have the potential to be used to scale up phishing attacks by impersonating humans, and AI-generated audio or video ‘deepfakes’ have already been used to commit financial fraud and undermine information security.
Cybersecurity professionals must be adept not only in the effective application of AI technologies to perform their work, but also to effectively foresight emerging threat models enabled by AI. Rapid paces of development will emphasise the need for ongoing professional development, and effective foresighting to identify these emerging risks.
Many of these skills vary by sector and organisational settings, and it is essential that individuals have the opportunity to develop practical skills. Apprenticeships are ideally suited to equip the future cybersecurity workforce.
What would you say to encourage someone considering a career in a digital field to pursue an apprenticeship in software development or cyber security?
Sarah: If you want a career where you can make an immediate impact, solve real problems, and stay ahead of the curve, cybersecurity and software development are the perfect fields. There’s no better way to get started than through an Apprenticeship. Apprenticeships set you up for long-term success, with opportunities to specialise and advance.
From week one, you’re applying what you learn to real-world challenges, and gaining practical skills that employers value. With the rise of AI, connected devices, and digital services, demand for these roles will only grow.
Beyond technical skills, these roles teach collaboration. You’ll not only build expertise but also open doors to diverse career paths across many sectors. Software developers and cyber security analysts are not just found in tech companies.
What would you say to encourage apprentices and employers to consider learning about AI, using AI, and incorporating AI into their skills training plans?
Matthew: Rapid advances in AI technology have accelerated the need for proactive upskilling for all individuals across organisations. There is a need for employees to be able to critically assess the potential impacts of AI on their current and future roles, and to support leaders to undertake their governance responsibility around the introduction of AI technologies.
Artificial Intelligence, applied correctly, offers the potential for organisational and personal productivity benefits. I would encourage employers and apprentices alike to see apprenticeships as a valuable bridge between industry and academic practice.
Further information:
- IfATE's route panels bring the employer voice to the very heart of our work. Route panels members are outstanding employers who are experts in their industries. They work with us to ensure technical education meets the skills needs of their sectors, now and in the future.
- Learn more about apprenticeships
- Explore your career options with our digital route Occupational Maps
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