Adobe joins forces with the UK Government to launch Tech Towns in Barnsley, putting AI and creativity at the heart of the local community
As part of that mission, Adobe is partnering with the UK Government to support the launch of its Tech Towns initiative in Barnsley. Adobe’s AI tools and learning resources will be instrumental in delivering a programme that will help local colleges, businesses, and community organisations improve their understanding of AI while also developing digital skills in real-life settings. Beyond skills and training programmes, Barnsley will also receive support from the government and industry partners as it rolls out AI across its public services, improving everyday life for residents paving the way for the rest of the country to follow.
Barnsley has a strong local identity and proud industrial heritage. Its ecosystem of colleges, businesses, and community organisations has been bolstered in recent years by a growing cluster of digital and creative businesses. Additionally, Barnsley Council’s Inclusive Economic Growth Strategy aims to make Barnsley the UK’s leading digital town.
"If we are going to get AI to work for Britain, we need Britons and British public services that can work with AI. That is why Barnsley’s ambitions are crucial, because if we can show that AI helps young people learn, supports local businesses to be more productive, and improves public services, then we can show what’s possible for the whole country.”
- Liz Kendall, Science and Technology Secretary
Opening up access to creative and digital skills
Adobe will partner with the UK Government to support young people and third sector spaces across the community and builds on our Adobe Digital Academy commitment to equip 30 million learners worldwide – from non-traditional students to emerging professionals and career switchers – with creative, marketing, and AI skills for the modern workplace.
As a company, our AI tools empower everyone from enterprises, public sector organisations, and small businesses, to non-profits, students, and individuals to be creative. As well as empowering them to create, we also understand the importance of building the skills that will help people adapt, succeed, and prosper in the modern job market and the evolving creator economy. We believe that when people have the tools, training, and opportunities to express themselves creatively, communities flourish, careers transform, and innovation accelerates.
"AI is reshaping businesses, industries, and the economy at a rapid pace, but it will only reach its full potential if skills and training programmes are accessible and delivered in partnership with industry to meet the real-world needs of businesses today. By partnering with the Government on the Tech Towns initiative, we will bring the best of Adobe’s AI-driven tools, skilling, and education programmes to the community, accelerating innovation and creativity, transforming careers, and creating a talent hub in Barnsley that supports the UK’s ambition of becoming a leading AI economy.”
- Nathan Hancock, Vice President and Managing Director of the UK, Ireland and Middle East
Connecting local action to global commitment
AI is sparking new ways of thinking, building, and connecting – driving up demand for AI, creative, and digital skills in all areas of the economy. While providing the frameworks and creating the conditions for citizens to develop the skills they need to meet these demands is a national priority, those programmes need to be delivered in a way that brings real value to communities and improvements to the local services they rely on every day.
Working hand-in-hand with industry and educational institutions means programmes like Tech Towns are designed to equip learners with these skills early and in a way that applies to real-world needs of businesses. Over the past decade, we’ve proudly supported educational institutions and non-profits, helping to build creative and digital confidence for the next generation. Our AI powered app, Adobe Express, is available to millions of teachers, students and non-profits in the UK, and the Adobe Creative Campus programme, empowers university faculty and students in all disciplines to learn the creative, productivity and AI skills employers need.
Adobe Digital Academy – the first comprehensive skilling programme designed specifically for the creator that lives in all of us – takes our vision for skilling out of the classroom and into the hands of learners everywhere through AI courses that everyone can access on Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and YouTube. Since our launch in 2024, we’ve supported over 1.5 million learners globally and are on track to meet our mission to support 30 million learners by 2030.
We’re committed to closing the gap through our products, training, and philanthropy. Our Adobe for Nonprofits initiative provides eligible organizations with access to Adobe Express for free, and Adobe Acrobat Pro or Creative Cloud Pro at special discounted rates. Whether it’s crafting a compelling grant proposal, designing a standout annual report, or creating engaging content to support fundraising on social media, Adobe tools empower nonprofits to work smarter, communicate better, and extend their reach.
Extending creative opportunities through AI
Adobe believes that when people have the tools, training, and opportunities to express themselves creatively, communities flourish, careers transform, and innovation accelerates.
Working in partnership with the Government, local stakeholders, institutions, and community groups won’t just provide a blueprint that can scale across the UK, but – more importantly – it will also bring real value to Barnsley, improving public services and opening up huge opportunities for the town and its people to thrive.