University of Bath upskills 50 staff in AI & leadership training

The University of Bath has launched a new training initiative to upskill 50 staff in data, artificial intelligence, and leadership, partnering with Multiverse to deliver the programme. The staff cohort comprises employees from 21 academic and professional services departments, including Science, Humanities and Social Science, Research & Impact Services, Campus Infrastructure, Campus Services, IT, Human Resources, and Finance.

Programmeme scope

Participants will enrol in specialised courses designed to improve skill sets in AI, management, and digital operations. The Level 3 AI Powered Productivity course introduces tools such as Microsoft 365 Copilot. A Management Jumpstart course combines knowledge in data and AI with core management practices for enhanced decision-making. The Level 4 DevOps Engineering Jumpstart aims to build capabilities in automation, infrastructure, and effective team collaboration.

Supporting student experience

The university stated that the upskilled staff are expected to use their training to boost operational efficiencies and offer improved services to students. The initiative is a continuation of a pilot undertaken earlier in the year, expanding the reach to a broader group of employees drawn from diverse departments.

Digital champions

These employees will serve as digital champions, supporting colleagues to make broader use of AI and data within their teams. The role includes driving adoption of digital tools, supporting digital transformation projects, and acting as internal advocates for effective data-driven working practices across the university.

Pilot progress

The initial pilot cohort has reportedly led to more than 50 active projects within the university. Areas addressed have included operational efficiencies and student-facing improvements.

Sector context

Multiverse delivers on-the-job training in AI and technology-based skills and works with more than 1,500 organisations. Its programmes are oriented toward digital proficiency at all career stages, supporting both technical and management development.

"We are very proud to be taking the next step in our plan toward AI adoption, a journey which we know will result in improved productivity across our organisation and, critically, better services for our students and staff. Previous cohorts that took part in our pilot have already begun making a substantial impact, with over 50 real time active projects across the university under way. We are excited to see what range of projects this cohort proposes," said Dr Ghazwa Alwani-Starr, Chief Operating Officer, University of Bath.

Gary Eimerman, Chief Learning Officer at Multiverse, also commented on the partnership. "Multiverse's AI and leadership programmes are perfectly designed to meet the needs of a sector, like higher education, that is facing increasing pressure to improve efficiencies and achieve time and cost savings. Our latest cohort with the University of Bath will be trained to use digital skills to deliver these savings and we look forward to working closely with the organisation in the next stages of its digital evolution," said Eimerman.

Multiverse reports having delivered training to more than 20,000 apprentices in AI, data, and digital skills since 2016.