Discover how Slough is leading the future of net-zero neighbourhoods through sustainable housing, circular construction and low-carbon investment.

As the global race to lead in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and automation accelerates, Slough is stepping forward as a key player in cultivating the next generation of talent. With its unique mix of industry strength, digital infrastructure, and educational partnerships, the town is well positioned to become a national centre for developing the skills that will drive the UK’s future economy.

Slough has long been recognised for its economic resilience and diversity. Home to one of Europe’s largest trading estates in single ownership, the Slough Trading Estate hosts over 500 companies, including tech giants such as O2, Ferrari, Lonza, and Databarracks. This concentration of cutting-edge firms, alongside robust fibre and digital connectivity, creates the ideal environment for testing, deploying, and scaling new technologies.

But Slough’s offer goes beyond infrastructure. It lies in its people — and in the pipeline of future talent that the borough is actively cultivating. “Slough is uniquely placed to lead on the development of a workforce fit for the future,” says Pat Hayes, Executive Director of Housing, Property, and Regeneration at Slough Borough Council. “We’re building strong partnerships between industry, colleges, and training providers to create pathways into AI, robotics, and advanced automation — sectors that will define the next generation of jobs.”

Ambition in Motion

This ambition is already in motion. Slough Borough Council is forging connections across the Thames Valley region, supporting initiatives such as the Berkshire-wide full-fibre rollout for schools and public buildings, and advancing smart-city infrastructure like its digital toolkit for 4G/5G small cells and IoT platforms.

The investments lay solid foundations for collaborating with local colleges. For example, with the newly rebranded Slough & Langley College, which recently launched new facilities including an Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Training Centre funded by the Berkshire LEP to ensure courses meet real-world digital, tech and automation needs.

Slough’s demographic profile adds to its strategic advantage. With a young and diverse population, the town has both the demand and the dynamism to power inclusive economic growth. By connecting its communities with emerging tech opportunities, Slough is not only developing talent but also widening participation in sectors historically seen as inaccessible.

A ready-made opportunity

For investors and employers, this means a ready-made opportunity: to locate in a place where they can access future talent, co-create training solutions, and play a direct role in shaping the workforce they need. The scale and mix of businesses already present — from life sciences to logistics, data to engineering — create a rich ecosystem for cross-sector innovation and collaboration.

Slough’s ambition is closely aligned with national priorities. The UK government has repeatedly emphasised the need to scale up digital and automation skills to maintain competitiveness and productivity. At the same time, investors are increasingly looking for place-based skills strategies that combine social impact with long-term return. Slough delivers both.

Centre of Excellence

With the right partners, the town aims to develop a nationally recognised centre of excellence for AI and robotics skills — one that not only meets the demands of today’s industries, but also anticipates tomorrow’s. This includes working with training providers, mission-aligned funds, and forward-thinking firms to pilot new models of skills delivery, harnessing Slough’s infrastructure and diverse communities as a real-world testbed.

In a world where digital skills are the new currency of innovation, Slough offers more than a platform. It offers a partnership — with its institutions, its communities, and its businesses — to build a future-ready workforce that drives inclusive growth. For those investing in the future of AI and robotics, Slough isn’t just a smart location. It’s a strategic move.