With the aim of helping the nation’s trades use AI tools to grow their businesses, Screwfix has teamed up with Google to bring practical, AI training directly to its trade customers. 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.
Google’s traveling ‘Squeeze the Juice’ bar will pop up at Screwfix stores across the country, showing tradespeople how to squeeze the juice out of AI, reap 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, 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.
Google-commissioned research by Public First reveals a major guidance gap holding the industry back from unlocking its full potential. The ‘AI that works for Britain’ report notes that while 71% of construction professionals are eager to expand their AI skills, 54% simply don’t know who to ask. As a result, only 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% – the equivalent of completing an extra day’s worth of work each week – according to Google’s ‘AI Works’ report
Beyond the stores, Screwfix Rewards customers will have the chance to sign up for Google’s AI Professional Certificate for free. This self-paced course offers the 2 million members of Screwfix’s loyalty programme a chance to gain practical, in-depth 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, equipping participants with premium, productivity-boosting tools as they learn how to use the technology to help them boost their businesses.
Google’s AI upskilling will also take centre stage at Screwfix Live in Farnborough from 25-27 September. At the trade retailer’s flagship event, attendees can join in-depth masterclasses, packed with tailored tips and tricks to help a variety of trades extract maximum value from AI.
Max Britten, Screwfix MD of UK and Ireland, comments: “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.”
