Google and Screwfix have announced a new partnership to help the nation’s trades use AI tools to grow their businesses.
A company statement said they are set to bring practical, AI training directly to the nation’s tradespeople. The upskilling programme will show the nation’s trades how AI can help lighten the administrative load and give them more time to focus on the tasks they find most rewarding, it noted.
Google’s traveling ‘Squeeze the Juice’ bar will pop up at Screwfix stores across the country. The statement added that this will show tradespeople how to get more benefits from AI tools and transform the way that they work with the technology. The pop-ups will share helpful AI hacks in the time it takes trades and customers to replenish their tools, it noted, from using AI to turn sketches into 3D renderings and handwritten notes into client proposals. The nationwide tour kicks off at the Screwfix Benton store in Newcastle, which is in one of the government’s AI Growth Zones, before rolling out across the UK, including Leeds, Belfast, Bangor and Edinburgh.
A new report from Google revealed that AI is already widely used in the construction industry, with 86% of workers using the technology on the job. This breaks down to 82% of workers at small businesses 91% at larger companies. The construction sector is one of the UK’s AI adoption frontrunners, it found.
Yet, Google-commissioned research by Public First highlighted a guidance gap holding the industry back from unlocking its full potential. The ‘AI that works for Britain’ report noted that while 71% of construction professionals are eager to expand their AI skills, 54% don’t know who to ask. As a result, 16% of this group are advanced users extracting significant value from the technology. AI-powered tools could provide a much-needed productivity boost to tradespeople across the country. The technology has the potential to increase the average UK SMB’s productivity by 20%, according to Google’s report.
Beyond the stores, ‘Screwfix Rewards’ customers will have the chance to sign up for Google’s AI Professional Certificate for free. Screwfix said this self-paced course offers the members of its loyalty programme a chance to gain practical guidance on using AI to solve real-world problems, from research support to content creation. The certificate comes with three months of free access to Google AI Pro.
Google’s AI upskilling will be showcased at Screwfix Live in Farnborough from 25 to 27 September. At the event, attendees can join masterclasses to help them to gain the maximum value from AI.
This collaboration builds on Google’s AI Works for Britain initiative, which aims to address the nation’s uneven AI adoption and support the UK government’s ambitious goal to train 10 million people in AI skills by 2030.
Kate Alessi, managing director and vice president of Google UK & Ireland, said: “Every tradesperson knows the value of the right tool, and AI is fast becoming another one in their kit. Yet, only a small fraction of time-strapped trades are using the technology to unlock a vital productivity boost. That’s why we’re excited to partner with Screwfix to put practical AI skills right on the counter and help more tradespeople use AI to work more effectively and drive their businesses.”
Max Britten, Screwfix managing director of UK and Ireland, added: “At Screwfix, we know that time is money for our customers. While they’re busy getting the job done, admin and paperwork can quickly pile up. That’s why we’re partnering with Google to show how AI can be a practical addition to the toolbox, helping tradespeople save time, work more efficiently and focus on growing their businesses.”