School of Business
East Midlands Pathways to AI Programme EMPAIP
Developing the next generation of AI talent and capability for the East Midlands
The East Midlands Pathways to AI Programme (EMPAIP) is a 45-month initiative led by the University of Leicester School of Business to strengthen AI skills, innovation and adoption across the region. Supported through Innovate UK’s TechLocal funding, the programme brings together postgraduate education, employer engagement, and work-based internships to create a sustainable AI talent pipeline for regional businesses. EMPAIP has been designed to address the AI and digital capability challenges identified across the East Midlands while ensuring that businesses can access the knowledge, skills and talent needed to compete in a rapidly evolving economy.
Programme elements
- AI practice pathway: A new AI-focused route for MSc International Business programme enables postgraduate students at the School of Business to undertake an AI Agentic Solutions in Business project as a practice-based alternative to the traditional dissertation. Students work on authentic organisational challenges and develop skills in problem framing workflow redesign and responsible AI deployment.
- AI-focused internships: Students and employers are bought together through structured 6-week micro-internships that enable organisations to explore AI opportunities while providing students with valuable experience applying AI in real-world business settings.
- AI for Business Accelerator: A six-week programme for business and social sector leaders and managers to help them understand and implement AI opportunities, develop their skillset, and build internal capability for adoption and innovation.
Why EMPAIP matters?
The programme aims to create lasting impact in the East Midlands by:
- Strengthening regional AI capability.
- Supporting AI adoption among SMEs.
- Enhancing graduate employability.
- Increasing collaboration between businesses and higher education.
- Expanding opportunities for under-represented groups to engage in AI learning and careers.
- Creating a sustainable education-to-employment pathway for future generations of talent.
Supported by Innovate UK
EMPAIP is supported through Innovate UK's investment in regional AI skills and innovation. The programme contributes to develop stronger local AI ecosystems, improve business productivity and create new opportunities for people and organisations to participate in the AI economy.