Mitie, the UK’s leading facilities transformation company, today welcomed the first cohort of apprentices to a new AI skills programme to accelerate AI adoption. The initial Mitie colleagues have enrolled in a first of its kind ‘AI Productivity Champion’ programme. Designed in response to a changing business landscape to develop digitally literate workforces, the programme will be delivered by Corndel in partnership with Imperial College London and supported by Microsoft.
With plans to upskill 150 colleagues this year, this programme is the first of three AI programmes to be introduced by Mitie with the apprentices based across the UK, including Birmingham and Nottingham. Colleagues joining these training programmes currently hold a variety of roles, reflective of Mitie’s diverse workforce, including engineering, HR and project management.
These 12-month long courses will equip colleagues with high-quality, role-relevant AI and data skills. Designed to accelerate the adoption of Microsoft Copilot and similar tools, the initiative will empower colleagues to embed AI into everyday work to unlock new skills, confidence, and ways of working.
Participants will also take on roles as “AI Productivity Champions”, driving innovation and fostering a culture of digital transformation across the organisation. Beyond delving into the AI fundamentals, apprentices will also learn how to support and train others in their teams, enabling the seamless integration of AI across Mitie’s workforce.
Apprenticeships and continuous learning are cornerstones of colleague development at Mitie, with around 1,600 apprentices currently within the business, many of whom are focused on digital skills, data and intelligence.
Kathryn Dolan, Chief People Officer, Mitie and Co-Executive Sponsor of the Academy, said:
“We’re incredibly proud to welcome our first cohort of colleagues to Mitie’s AI Productivity Champion programme. This marks a significant milestone in our journey to equip our people with the digital skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.
“By investing in cutting-edge training and partnering with industry leaders like Corndel, Imperial, and Microsoft, we’re adding another string to Mitie’s bow in its digital transformation – reinforcing our commitment to innovation, growth, and colleague development.”
Sean Cosgrove, Chief Commercial Officer, Corndel, said:
"Mitie is tackling one of the most important challenges in AI adoption, understanding that success isn’t just about access to the tools, it’s about equipping people with the right skills. Their ambitious, first-mover approach means they will unlock the benefits of AI faster than most.
“At Corndel, we believe AI is the future of work, and organisations that invest early in the right skills will drive meaningful innovation and growth. Through our AI Academy, powered by Microsoft’s cutting-edge tools and Imperial’s world-leading insight, we’re helping Mitie build a workforce that is AI-ready.”
Notes to editors
Sitting within the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer, Mitie is ensuring the very best for its colleagues by partnering with sector leader Corndel, which achieved the highest Qualification Achievement Rate (QAR) in the country among the top 20 apprenticeship providers for the 2023–24 academic year
About Mitie: “Better Places; Thriving Communities”
Founded in 1987, Mitie employs 76,000 colleagues and is the leading technology-led Facilities Transformation company in the UK. We are a trusted partner to around 3,000 blue chip customers across the public and private sectors, working with them to transform their built estates, and the lived experience for their colleagues and customers, as well as providing data-driven insights to inform better decision-making.
In each of our core services of engineering (hard services) and security and hygiene (soft services) we hold market leadership positions. We also deliver projects capabilities in the areas of power and grid connections, building fit outs & modernisation, decarbonisation, fire & security, and telecoms infrastructure. Our sector expertise includes central government, critical national infrastructure, defence, financial services, healthcare & life sciences, local government & education, retail & logistics and transport & aviation.
We hold industry-leading ESG credentials, including a place on the CDP Climate change A List, and we have received multiple industry awards recently including B2B Marketing Team of the Year, Best Low Carbon Solution and Net Zero Carbon Strategy of the year. Targeting Net Zero by the end of 2025, our ambitious emissions reduction plans have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). We have been recognised as a UK Top Employer for the seventh consecutive year and Most Admired Company in the Support Services sector. Find out more at www.mitie.com.
About Corndel
Corndel is a strategic skills partner. We develop the essential skills that drive performance - combining human expertise with the latest in AI and digital innovation. Our programmes in data, tech, leadership, and business transformation equip teams to meet today’s challenges and shape tomorrow’s success.
People are at the core of what we do. We help the UK's top businesses overcome strategic challenges like closing human, data and digital skills gaps through professional apprenticeships, higher education, and corporate training. Our transformative programmes change behaviours, building adaptable, resilient organisations ready to navigate whatever comes next.
Corndel works collaboratively with over 300 enterprise organisations in the private, public and third sector. Loved by learners, trusted by employers. Corndel is the only large provider rated ‘excellent’ by both learners and employers.