As more and more job postings involve AI skills as a requirement, one of the UK’s leading recruiters for the manufacturing industry, Gi Group UK is urging candidates and businesses to see the integration of artificial intelligence as an opportunity for change and career development. Laura Stretton, Candidate Experience Manager at Gi Group UK, is encouraging entry level candidates to broaden their horizons and dive into AI training opportunities.
According to estimates from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, one to three million jobs could be displaced by AI, however these are predicted to occur gradually with the pace of AI adoption across the wider economy. AI could raise UK national income by between 5 per cent and 14 per cent by 2050, with the most likely prediction pointing to a substantial 11 per cent boost.
Gi Group UK fills over 2,800 manufacturing roles per week and actively supports 100 manufacturing clients across the county. With deep insights into hiring trends and talent bottlenecks, Gi Group believes the integration of AI within this industry provides opportunity for upskilling and progression. Within the manufacturing industry, many of Gi Group’s clients are seeking candidates with technical skills that are increasingly hard to find, including machine operation, precision engineering, and digital manufacturing technologies.
- An opportunity for change
Sharing insight into the role of AI within recruitment, Laura said: “Artificial intelligence is transforming the recruitment landscape, particularly in entry-level roles. However, though we may be seeing an industry reduction in traditional positions, there is a growing demand for candidates equipped with the training and knowledge to operate AI systems. While the integration of AI within the workplace comes with a number of cautions, it is a great opportunity for upskilling and building technical skills.
“AI is here, which means businesses and candidates must keep up. In order to stay ahead of the curve and remain at the forefront of tech advancements, both parties must adapt and upskill.
“From a candidate perspective, it’s time to be looking at adapting the focus of your CV to showcase any AI-related expertise and embracing continuous learning to remain competitive in the evolving job market. We encourage candidates to explore how AI can create opportunities and open doors, including new and innovative career pathways.”
- Training and development
Rebecca Napier, IT Business Partner at Gi Group UK, commented: “At Gi Group, AI training has become a key element of our upskilling opportunities for employees. It is no longer a debate of whether AI will impact the workplace, it’s now about ensuring you’re getting on board. I’m currently working towards my degree apprenticeship in Digital and Tech Solutions, to ensure I’m up to speed with how artificial intelligence can help our candidates and support our internal team to continually develop. With any new skill or tool, learning is important for every role, but it’s particularly important within tech related industries. As the job market continues to evolve it’s vital that businesses and candidates alike are prioritising not only the integration of AI but the management of AI systems.
“We’ve implemented AI tools into our recruitment process to become a more streamlined and efficient service to our customers and candidates. Our systems ensure we can fulfil tight deadlines and position the best candidates with the right businesses. Finding a way to integrate these tools into daily work life is an important task for businesses wishing to succeed.”
The Government’s latest data has found that AI related employment increased by 33%, when comparing 2023 to 2024, which is an increase of 21,600 jobs. Examples of entry level AI related roles include AI Prompt Engineer, AI Ethics Specialist, and AI Operations Assistant.
- The emergence of new roles
Laura added: “Entry level vacancies have dropped, while the UK job adverts requiring AI skills continue to grow faster than other sectors. The introduction and implementation of AI isn’t just a tech advancement, it has created a cultural switch, changing the working world as we know it. While these tech advancements are disrupting career routes, it is the perfect opportunity for new roles to emerge and for candidates to acquire new skill sets and increase their AI literacy. However, it’s important that candidates don’t lose focus of the human soft skills like creativity and critical judgement that will help them to adapt.
“Businesses are harnessing the power of AI to grow and innovate, so candidates who are proactive in aligning their skillsets with these advancements will be well-positioned to thrive in this dynamic environment. Gone are the days of one-track careers, this new era of employment is providing vast opportunities for candidates to explore their strengths and dive into the latest tech.”
Gi Group UK is headquartered in Chesterfield in the Midlands. Parented by Gi Group Holding, Gi Group UK employs close to 500 people in 2025 from 20 office locations. Gi Group UK is uniquely committed to the creation of social and economic value for both employers and candidates alike.
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