AI Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Edinburgh Napier University!
We’ve Secured an AI Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Edinburgh Napier University!
We’re thrilled to announce that Functional Skills UK has been awarded a prestigious Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Edinburgh Napier University — a major milestone for our organisation and a big leap forward in how we support learners with neurodiverse needs.
Backed by £200,000+ in funding from Innovate UK, this partnership will see us develop a cutting-edge AI-powered screening tool designed to identify and support learners with conditions such as autism, dyslexia, and ADHD. The goal? To build adaptive learning pathways that respond to learners in real time — helping every individual thrive from day one.
Why This Matters
Securing a KTP is no small feat. These awards are incredibly competitive, with only a handful of organisations across the UK receiving support. We’re proud that our vision for inclusive, technology-driven education stood out.
This partnership brings so much more than just funding — it brings opportunity:
An AI graduate will join our Brighton team full-time for two years, spearheading the design, development, and rollout of our AI tool.
We’ll work hand-in-hand with academic experts from Edinburgh Napier University, ensuring the technology is grounded in the latest research and best practice.
It will enable real-time support for learners and more efficient contract reporting across our programmes.
Where We Started — and Where We’re Going
The journey began with a challenge: Many of our learners face barriers linked to neurodiverse conditions, and we knew we could do more to support them. That led us to ask: how can we use AI to make education more personalised, more responsive, and more human?
After months of planning, partnership-building (including early support from the University of Sussex), and preparing a strong application, we’re now ready to move forward.
In May 2025, we’ll officially kick off the project. Here’s what’s coming:
Recruitment of a top-tier AI graduate, who will, in their role as a KTP associate, lead the technical work.
Development and piloting of the AI screening tool with real learners.
Refinement and scaling of the technology across our delivery models.
The Impact
For our learners, this means smarter, more tailored support from the very beginning — with the system constantly learning and adapting as they progress.
For our business, it represents a strategic investment in innovation. We’re building internal AI expertise, improving how we deliver our contracts, and laying the groundwork for possible future commercial applications, both in the UK and beyond.
As our Managing Director, Paul Smith, puts it:
“We’re incredibly proud to receive this rare and competitive award. It reflects not only our dedication to innovation but also our belief that education must adapt to the needs of every learner. This AI tool has the potential to transform how we support neurodiverse learners—not just within our organisation, but across the wider education and skills sector.”
“We’re partnering with FSUK to revolutionise inclusive digital education through AI-driven learning. This initiative exemplifies our Business School’s and CBISS’s shared commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and meaningful impact.”
This sentiment is echoed by UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle, who added:
“I’ve seen the work Functional Skills UK do and met some of their success stories and so I couldn’t be prouder of this news. It not only shows that Hove and Portslade is pioneering in many, many ways but also that AI can be used in a way that’s beneficial and productive to help everyone grow and develop for their futures.”
We’ll be sharing updates as the project progresses — and as always, we welcome your ideas, thoughts, and support as we shape this exciting new chapter.
Here’s to smarter learning, stronger outcomes, and a more inclusive future for all.
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Why do we ask this?
We offer a variety of fully funded qualifications, made possible through government funding. Funding availability is determined by your location, as different regions have specific funding allocations and eligibility criteria.
