Ingeus has rolled out its in-house AI (artificial intelligence) training programme to Restart Scheme jobseekers in London and Manchester following a successful 2025 pilot. The AI Academy is a series of five interactive sessions developed to equip attendees with AI knowledge and confidence. More than 600 sessions have now run at Ingeus Restart Centres, upskilling 1,400 people to date.
As the first in-house programme of its scale to be run for jobseekers, the initiative was developed in response to concerns about AI technology from Restart Scheme participants. AI is often seen as a barrier during the application process and a threat to sustainable jobs:
“We want to help our participants safely embrace and understand AI, not only in their job search but in wider life too,” explains Alice Clements-Platt, Director of Operational Excellence at Ingeus. “Dispelling some of the myths and mysteries of AI gives people confidence in an increasingly AI-driven world.
“The sessions follow the natural stages of a job search but we’ve built in functional life applications too. We’ve had participants helping their children with homework and design professional business cards and leaflets when entering self-employment. Many participants have transformed from being fearful of AI to positively enjoying using it. Our pilot programme recorded an almost 98% increase in participants’ confidence, so we know it’s effective.
“Being delivered by our own training coaches also means that the AI Academy can be tailored to attendees’ interests and level of IT knowledge – and can adapt quickly, as AI does itself.”
The AI Academy outlines tools and techniques across five topics during 60-90 minute group sessions:
• an introduction to AI, which includes safeguarding and real-life applications
• job goals, using AI to identify transferrable skills and interests
• CV enhancements, such as improving professional summaries and evaluating the fit with job descriptions
• job search, including navigating applicant tracking systems used by employers
• interview preparation.
Participants are also provided with take-home summaries, prompts and project sheets used during the training. IT equipment is freely available to use at Ingeus Restart Centres and advisors are also able to provide data cards, tablets and laptops to aid digital access.
Restart Scheme participant Laura attended the sessions and said: “The content of the training was very well delivered and easy to understand, even for a non-tech-savvy person like me. It focused on practical solutions and examples which I applied to my job hunt immediately. Moreover, it opened my eyes to new ideas on how to apply AI to my life and to look for opportunities with a whole new perspective, which I hope is more effective in my job search.”
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