We Are Zenith appoints AI Trainer to lead Level 4 AI apprenticeship and The AI Collective
North East recruitment and training provider We Are Zenith has appointed former Google trainer Dave Ray as its new AI Trainer, as demand grows from employers looking to build AI skills across their teams.
Dave will lead the organisation's Level 4 AI apprenticeship and run The AI Collective, Zenith's employer-facing AI community. He will also work directly with organisations across a range of sectors, helping them adopt AI responsibly to boost productivity, improve processes and find new opportunities for growth.
The appointment strengthens Zenith's AI offer for businesses in the region, pairing formal apprenticeship training with practical, hands-on support for employers.
Dave brings a career spanning IT, education and commercial digital work. After starting out in IT, he studied Internet Computing for Business, completed a BA in Business Management and gained his teaching qualifications.
He spent three years at Google as a trainer and project manager, helping hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham and Sheffield use SEO and online marketing to win customers and grow.
Returning to the North East, he joined New College Durham, where he designed and delivered degree-level programmes up to Level 6 while running a freelance consultancy supporting businesses with their online presence.
An early adopter of AI, Dave began exploring its workplace potential soon after ChatGPT launched in late 2022, and went on to help colleagues across the college adopt AI tools and best practice.
Most recently, he worked at a digital agency managing more than 70 mobile apps in competitive global markets. There, he used AI-driven workflows, automation and data analytics to turn information from multiple platforms into clear dashboards, helping the business make faster decisions and achieve significant growth.
Dave said: "My goal is simple: to help individuals and businesses confidently adopt emerging technologies and turn innovation into practical, measurable results."
"I've loved the technical side of my work, but I missed working with people and seeing them grow. Zenith lets me bring together everything I've done, from education and digital to AI, automation and business consultancy."
Employers interested in the Level 4 AI apprenticeship or The AI Collective can find out more at we-are-zenith.com.
About We Are Zenith
We Are Zenith is a North East England recruitment, apprenticeship and workforce development organisation. Working across three pillars, Recruit, Develop and Retain, it helps employers find the right people, build their skills and keep them. It offers apprenticeships and training across a wide range of sectors and specialisms, alongside skills bootcamps and tailored support for employers.