Zurich invests £1.3m in new AI apprenticeship programme

Zurich UK has launched a new artificial intelligence (AI) apprenticeship programme, representing an investment of almost £1.3m of its levy in future‑ready skills.

Developed with professional development partner Corndel and Imperial College London, supported by Microsoft, the apprenticeship is designed to equip employees with the practical skills, confidence and the ethical framework needed to embrace AI and apply new technologies responsibly across the business.

Some 92 colleagues have joined the 17-month programme and will be given time to complete it alongside their day jobs.

The training will cover AI ethics, governance and human accountability, alongside practical applications of AI to boost productivity, collaboration and knowledge management.

Asha Kumar, chief technology officer at Zurich UK, said: “At Zurich, we see the huge opportunities AI offers for us to get closer to our partners and customers, using carefully designed tools to increase our effectiveness and free up valuable time to collaborate and innovate.

”I’m proud of the investment we’re making to develop our people who will help us move the needle on AI. They’ll be equipped with the skills and knowledge to unlock the full potential of the tools available to us and I’m confident this first cohort will go on to become great ambassadors throughout the business, driving forward our AI ambitions for the benefit of everyone we work with.”

Developing ‘AI-ready professionals’

In the new programme, the training will be delivered through live workshops and one‑to‑one coaching, led by Corndel experts, with successful apprentices gaining either a level three or level four qualification.

It forms part of Zurich’s wider AI strategy, which includes an AI activation taskforce, AI champions and peer‑to‑peer learning to encourage confident and responsible use of approved tools.

Commenting on the apprenticeship, James Kelly, chief executive at Corndel, said: “AI creates real value when people feel confident to use it well.

”Zurich’s AI Academy is a great example of how businesses can build practical AI skills on strong ethical foundations. We’re proud, alongside our partner Imperial College London, to be working with Zurich to develop the next generation of AI-ready professionals.” 

Penny Jones, responsible AI lead at Zurich UK, added: “Zurich is a business built on strong relationships and delivering quality service to our customers and partners.

”Our use of AI doesn’t replace our people but enables them to focus on more meaningful, higher value work. That’s better for colleagues and ultimately means a smoother, more personalised experience for the customers who rely on us. It’s great to see so many colleagues recognise the opportunity here and are keen to get involved.”