Berkshire Growth Academy - AI
Harness AI to save time, cut costs, and drive growth.
Make more money in less time…
Unlock AI skills that save time, increase revenue, and give you a competitive edge.
AI is moving fast, and the people who understand how to use it now will be the ones who thrive tomorrow. Whether you run a small business, freelance or have a portfolio of clients, understanding how to use AI tools can create an impressive competitive edge, and this course shows you how to start using AI where it matters most.
Over 15 weeks, our online AI Skills Bootcamps will confidently walk you through everything you need to use AI in your job, business or career. From saving time on everyday tasks, to generating more sales leads, improving decision-making and driving innovation. Below are details of the AI for Business Essentials and AI for Business Advanced Skills Bootcamps available.
FREE for self employed and job seekers
Partially funded opportunities for PAYE. Must have proof of self employment.
Complete for 2025
Structured online learning and tutor support throughout for a successful 2025.
Productivity and Profit
Use AI to work faster and concentrate on activities that attract more customers.
Gain a Competitive Edge
Use AI to unlock innovation, make smarter decisions and drive business growth.
Tailored to needs
Dedicate 4 hours a week for 15 weeks online to assist you to take on more clients or find your ideal role in AI.
Ongoing Support
We support you after the Skills Bootcamp is completed, helping you grow your transferable skills into real-world scenarios.
Nurture your inner AI Superstar
Cut through the AI hype—these practical courses shows you exactly where AI can make a real impact on your business.
The AI Skills Bootcamp is designed to give business owners a fast, practical understanding of how to use AI to save time, boost productivity and grow their business. You’ll explore eight essential pillars of AI that every business owner needs to stay competitive in an AI-powered world – no tech background needed, just pick the correct level for you.
AI for Business Essentials: The Curious Beginner
This course is for those who are just starting their AI journey. If you’ve been curious about AI and want to understand the fundamental concepts, this is the place for you. We’ll explore what AI is, how it works and how it can be used in everyday life and business. No prior experience is needed—just a desire to learn!
AI for Business Advanced: Scaling Your Knowledge
If you’ve already moved past the initial curiosity phase and are ready to take your AI understanding to the next level, this course is for you. We’ll focus on how to strategically implement and scale AI solutions, moving from simple applications to more complex, impactful projects. This course is designed for those who want to build on their foundational knowledge and lead AI initiatives with confidence.
Unlock Innovation and Productivity
No Jargon, Just Skills
Practical, hands-on learning that gives you the confidence to use AI safely from day one – no tech background needed
Mastering Prompts for Better Outputs
Learn how to craft precise, context-rich prompts that unlock the full potential of AI tools. By mastering prompt engineering, you’ll consistently generate more accurate, relevant, and actionable results.
Training AI on Your Business
Discover how to tailor AI tools to reflect your business’s unique workflows, language, and goals. By feeding the right data and context, you’ll create smarter systems that deliver more relevant and impactful insights.
Creating a Custom GPT
Learn how to build a tailored GPT that understands your business’s tone, terminology, and priorities. With the right setup, you can create a reliable AI assistant that enhances productivity and decision-making across your team.
Image and Video Creation
Explore how AI can streamline the production of high-quality visuals and videos tailored to your brand. From concept to content, learn to generate engaging media that boosts communication, marketing, and storytelling.
Identifying Use Cases
Uncover practical ways AI can solve real challenges in your business, from automating tasks to enhancing customer experiences. Learn to spot high-impact opportunities where AI delivers measurable value and efficiency.
Introduction to AI Agents
Get to know AI agents—autonomous tools that can plan, reason, and act on your behalf. Learn how they can streamline complex tasks, make decisions, and interact with systems to drive business efficiency.
Writing AI Roadmap
Develop a clear, strategic plan for integrating AI into your business, aligned with your goals and resources. Learn how to prioritize initiatives, set milestones, and build a roadmap that supports sustainable innovation and growth.
Turn Data into Your Most Valuable Asset
Every business has data, but not everyone knows how to use it. In this session, you’ll learn how to recognise the value in your data and how AI can uncover powerful insights that can be used to drive business growth. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how to use AI to make smarter decisions.
Avoiding Common AI Pitfalls
AI can be a game changer, but only if used wisely. We’ll walk through the most common mistakes businesses make when adopting AI and give practical ways to manage the risks, so you stay smart, safe and in control.
Pick the Right AI Tools (Without the Tech Overwhelm)
With so many AI platforms and apps, how do you know what’s right for you? We’ll teach you how to review vendors before committing and avoid getting stuck with tech that doesn’t deliver.
Stay Ahead: Build a Learning Mindset for the AI Era
AI is evolving fast, and the businesses that succeed will be the ones who stay relevant. In this session, you’ll understand how AI technology develops and what it means for the future. More importantly, you’ll learn how to develop a continuous learning mindset to keep you ahead of the competition.
Future-Poof Yourself and Your Business
AI is powerful—but your experience, creativity and judgement still matter more than ever. In this final session, we’ll explore how to build both personal and professional resilience so you can work with AI, not be replaced by it.
Emma Shepherd
Certified AI Specialist
As a certified AI specialist with over 30 years of experience in business and consultancy, I deliver AI training that empowers professionals, from solopreneurs and small business owners to senior leaders, to understand and apply AI in practical, results-driven ways.
By embedding AI into the core of my business operations, I’ve saved time and increased profits—and now I help others do the same. My grounded, strategic approach cuts through the AI hype to uncover real opportunities for growth and innovation.
The AI Skills Bootcamp is a comprehensive training course designed for professionals at all levels. Combining practical tools with strategic insight, it equips participants with the skills needed to integrate AI into their roles, careers, or businesses and stay competitive in an AI-powered world.
I’m also a passionate advocate for closing the AI skills gap and a proud signatory of the Workforce Digital Skills Charter. In recognition of my commitment to collaborating with organisations, including government departments, I’ve been invited to attend the 2025 Workforce Digital Skills Summit.
Attending this workshop was exactly what I needed to quickly bring me up to speed on how AI integration can generate business growth. The workshop provided me with a clear framework to help start identifying high-impact use cases. I now understand the huge potential for AI to assist in all areas of our operations, streamlining processes and boosting profitability.
We look forward to welcoming you to our Skills Bootcamp and helping you achieve your AI goals. Let’s conquer the world of AI together!
This is a 15-week course with 60 hours of learning total. Please register your interest using the form below.
Course Dates:
|
Cohort 2 -AI Essentials: The Curious Beginner |
Cohort 3- Advanced AI: Scaling Your Knowledge |
|
Tuesday 09:00-13:15 Online |
Wednesday 09:00-13:15 Online |
| 7 Oct (In person – The Village Hotel, Bracknell, RG12 0QJ) | 8 Oct (In person – The Village Hotel, Bracknell, RG12 0QJ) |
| 14 Oct | 15 Oct |
| 21 Oct | 22 Oct |
| 28 Oct | 29 Oct |
| 4 Nov | 5 Nov |
| 11 Nov | 12 Nov |
| 18 Nov | 19 Nov |
| 25 Nov | 26 Nov |
| 2 Dec | 3 Dec |
| 9 Dec | 10 Dec |
| 16 Dec | 17 Dec |
| 6 Jan | 7 Jan |
| 13 Jan | 14 Jan |
| 20 Jan | 21 Jan |
| 27 Jan (The Village Hotel, Bracknell, RG12 0QJ) | 28 Jan (The Village Hotel, Bracknell, RG12 0QJ) |
Skills Bootcamps are subject to funding from the Department of Education, and eligibility criteria apply.
Learning
Networking
Collaborating
Am I eligible?
For this Skills Bootcamp, you are required to be self employed or under PAYE. No previous knowledge is required.
You must be over the age of 19 to be eligible.
What will I learn?
You will learn:
Practical AI Skills
Use Case Identification and Prioritisation
Understanding the Role of Data
Avoiding AI Pitfalls
Choosing AI Tools
Closing the Skills Gap
Building Resilience in the AI Future
The course will also provide the following skills and attitude learning:
Machine Learning: techniques and training
Develop a comprehensive understanding of AI and the evolution of its capabilities and ability to differentiate between various AI approaches
Understanding the critical role of data in AI
Awareness of how applications are developed, enabling informed decision-making
Understand the role of AI innovation in different industries: small business, E-commerce, healthcare case study, marketing, sales, manufacturing, customer service, finance and retail
Gain insights into AI's current and future impact on industries
Recognise obstacles like skills gaps, regulatory challenges, and technological barriers.
Understand how organisations view AI and factors driving adoption resistance
What equipment do I need?
You'll need a laptop/desktop with a camera, microphone, and reliable internet.
What happens after?
Upon successful completion of the Skills Bootcamp, you will receive a certificate plus further support from the Berkshire Growth Hub team.
Am I free or do I pay?
If you are self employed you do not need to pay.
If you wish to upskill your own teams, as a business you will contribute a portion of funding (10% for SMEs, 30% for large employers), while the Department for Education covers the rest.
What is a Skills Bootcamp?
Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with an employer.
Our Bootcamp is a comprehensive, funded program that provides you with the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your sales skills to the next level. We believe that everyone has the potential to become a sales superstar, and our goal is to help you unlock that potential.
Our mission is to help you master the art of sales and sales techniques, the cornerstone of any successful business venture.
