Download a free membership brochure and discover the benefits of joining the Manchester Digital community for your business.
Build your AI skills and get real business experience
Spend six weeks working alongside a North West business on a live AI or automation project.
AIMS is an eight-week programme combining two weeks of practical AI upskilling with six weeks of in-person work experience.
You'll join a participant team, get to know how a business operates and explore ways AI could improve its day-to-day processes, supported by experienced technical mentors.
Final cohort starts January 2027.
Are you a business looking to take part? Click here.
Work with a business, not a simulated brief
Rather than working through hypothetical exercises, you'll spend time inside a business, understanding its processes and contributing to a genuine AI or automation project.
You'll work alongside other participants, applying your skills to a business challenge while gaining experience of a professional working environment.
How does AIMS work?
1. Build your skills
(2 weeks)
Develop your practical AI and automation skills through structured, hands-on upskilling sessions.
2. Gain business experience
(6 weeks)
Join a participant team working with an SME on a genuine business challenge, putting your skills into practice on-site.
3. Learn with support
(2 weeks)
Receive guidance from technical mentors and programme partners, Manchester Digital and Manchester Metropolitan University, throughout the programme.
What could you gain?
- Six weeks of work experience with a North West SME.
- Practical AI and automation experience applied to a genuine business challenge.
- Teamwork and collaboration skills developed alongside other participants and technical mentors.
- Project experience you can discuss with future employers.
Who is AIMS for?
AIMS is designed for people who are unemployed, returning to work or looking to move into AI-enabled roles.
You don't need previous professional AI experience, but you should have some existing understanding of AI or relevant digital skills.
We particularly encourage applications from women and people from groups underrepresented in technology.
A few things to consider before applying
AIMS is an in-person work experience opportunity, not a traditional classroom course or virtual placement.
You'll need to be available for the eight-week programme, including six weeks working with an SME, and able to travel to your placement location.
There is no programme participation fee.
Apply for the January 2027 AIMS cohort
The January 2027 sprint is the final cohort of the current programme.
Apply to gain AI work experience with a North West SME and explore how your skills could be used in a real business environment.
Participation does not guarantee employment.
