Bridging the AI Skills Gap in SMBs

Bridging the AI Skills Gap in SMBs: How elevAIte Academy Empowers Teams to Succeed

A recent report revealed a stark reality: just 12% of SMBs have made any investment in AI training, while 29% identify lack of training as the top obstacle to AI adoption. And although a majority (51%) recognize AI is critical, only 27% feel confident using it. This gap between promise and readiness is where elevAIte Academy steps in, helping SMBs transform awareness into action through practical, skills-first AI education.

Why AI Training Isn’t Just Nice, It’s Essential

• Employees lack confidence: Over half say they need more training, and only ~37% feel equipped to use AI tools, clear evidence that AI awareness hasn’t translated into empowering skills.

• Leaders feel excluded: SMB leaders often score low on AI proficiency scales, citing lack of familiarity, even simple questions like “Where do I find AI?”.

• Widening divide: Only 29% of small firms feel equipped to use A, compared to 82% of medium businesses; just 12% have invested in staff training.

Without targeted training, SMBs risk missing out on AI’s productivity gains, efficiency improvements, and competitive advantage.

How elevAIte Academy Fills the Gap

1. Leader-first, beginner-friendly framework

We help founders and senior teams get hands-on with AI tools, no jargon, no fluff. From strategic awareness to real-world tools, we ensure leaders lead by doing.

2. Skill-boosting for every role

Our training isn’t “one-size-fits-all.” Marketing, operations, finance, and customer support each get role-relevant modules, from ChatGPT prompt optimization to AI dashboard automation.

3. Real projects, real results

Participants don’t post certificates, they deliver pilot projects. Whether launching an AI chatbot or automating invoices, each learner strengthens organizational capability while contributing value.

4. Peer learning and community

Following findings that people learn best through “trial and error” and social interaction, elevAIte fosters cohort learning, mentoring, and shared insights, turning teams into AI-savvy ecosystems.

5. Ethics, security, and trust

We embed responsible AI governance best practices, data privacy, prompt transparency, bias awareness, especially critical in regulated industries and customer-facing roles.

Supporting Data: AI Training for SMBs

• Google’s “AI Works” initiative aims to train American workers and SMBs in AI basics Axios.

• Business.com survey: 90% of trained SMB employees report improved performance, but only 52% of SMBs offer training business.com+1ChannelE2E+1.

• Institute of Coding (UK): just 12% of SMEs have AI training; 75% are asking for national AI skill strategies kinore.com+14TechRadar+14ukai.co+14.

• SMB leaders report: 95% say they need more AI training, 38% see it as the main barrier, alongside security concerns ChannelE2E+6PR Newswire+6The SHI Resource Hub+6.

• PayPal/Reimagine Main Street: 82% feel AI is essential, yet only ~25% have integrated it into operations PayPal Newsroom+1jaxonlabs.com+1.

• Intuit/ICIC: 89% believe AI boosts productivity, but they demand flexible educational formats like videos, podcasts, and hands-on workshops Axios+1SSRN+1.

elevAIte Academy: Your Strategic Partner

At elevAIte Academy, we’re building a transformative path from awareness to mastery.

Closing Thoughts

The data is clear: AI confidence doesn’t happen by osmosis. SMBs need guided, practical, role-specific training to turn tools into outcomes. elevAIte Academy exists precisely to meet that need, empowering SMB teams to:

• Use AI effectively and confidently

• Gain measurable gains in efficiency, revenue, and customer satisfaction

• Build AI capabilities that scale, ethically and sustainably

Let’s partner to turn the AI skills gap into your team’s competitive advantage.