The AI Skills Gap: Why Military Partners Are Perfectly Positioned to Fill it
Nov 17
/
Jackie Collins
I've lost count of how many military partners I've spoken to who start with, 'I know I should be doing something with AI, but I don't know what'.
Well...you're in luck.
Well...you're in luck.
The Skills Gap is Real
The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 found that 86% of employers expect AI to transform their business by 2030, yet 63% felt skill gaps as their main barrier to transformation.
Microsoft and LinkedIn 2024 Work Trend Index revealed that two-thirds of leaders wouldn't hire someone without AI skills, but then only trained 39% of employees in AI. Make that make sense! LinkedIn job posts mentioning AI also get 17% more applications than those that don't.
Let me be absolutely clear. When I talk about AI skills, I don't mean becoming a tech expert to rival Mr Zuckerberg. It's about adding another simple tool to your already impressive toolbelt.
Let me be absolutely clear. When I talk about AI skills, I don't mean becoming a tech expert to rival Mr Zuckerberg. It's about adding another simple tool to your already impressive toolbelt.
Why Military Partners Have the Advantage
Military partners already possess the foundational skills that make AI adoption successful.
You're already adaptable.
Each posting forces you to learn new systems and environments. The UK Government's Tri-Service Families Continuous Attitude Survey 2025 (FAMCAS) shows that eight out of ten Service spouses (which is well above the wider UK employment rate) are employed, demonstrating resilience despite frequent moves. I mean, a visit to a Military Co-working Network Hub would have taught them that. So don't be afraid of learning a new AI tool. It's just another system to master.
You're resourceful.
Military life teaches you to find solutions with limited resources. This translates perfectly to AI use, where the skill isn't just knowing the tools but knowing how to get what you need from them.
You understand efficiency.
When you're solo parenting during deployment or managing a posting move, you learn to prioritise ruthlessly. AI is fundamentally an efficiency tool. You already think in terms of "how can I do this faster and smarter".
The Employment Challenge is Real
The FAMCAS Survey reveals that of the 37% of military spouses who looked for work in the past year, 68% experienced difficulties finding suitable employment. That's a quarter of all military spouses actively struggling to find work that fits their circumstances.
The top barriers?
Location (43%); having a spouse who is often away (43%); partners unable to assist with care responsibilities (42%); extended family living too far away to help with childcare (39%).
Location (43%); having a spouse who is often away (43%); partners unable to assist with care responsibilities (42%); extended family living too far away to help with childcare (39%).
Perhaps most telling is that 44% of military spouses feel disadvantaged about their employment compared to the general public, and 55% feel negative about the effects of service life on their career.
The Market Timing is Perfect
According to the World Economic Forum, 170 million new jobs will be created by 2030, with AI and 'big data' top of the list of fastest-growing skills. LinkedIn data shows a 160% increase in non-technical professionals taking AI courses. Yes, Bob the Builder can easily ask Claude.ai to help him project manage another renovation.
For military partners facing another job search, demonstrating AI capability now marks you as forward-thinking and valuable. You're not catching up, you're getting ahead.
For military partners facing another job search, demonstrating AI capability now marks you as forward-thinking and valuable. You're not catching up, you're getting ahead.
Getting Started
This is why we are building the AI skills programme. We've been working on it for the past few months, securing the funding (huge shout out to The Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund who believe in this project as much as we do), designing the content, making sure it actually fits around military life with some evening webinars (because who has time during the day?) and workshops in places you might actually be posted. It's specifically for military partners because generic courses don't cut it.
Look, I'm not saying AI is going to solve everything. It won't magic away the challenges of military life or suddenly make employers understand why your CV looks the way it does. But it gives you an edge. And honestly? We need every edge we can get.
Look, I'm not saying AI is going to solve everything. It won't magic away the challenges of military life or suddenly make employers understand why your CV looks the way it does. But it gives you an edge. And honestly? We need every edge we can get.
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