AI Training vs AI Consulting: Which Should Come First?
Should you train your team to use AI or hire consultants to implement it? Many companies jump straight to consulting when training-first would deliver better long-term ROI. Here's how to decide.
Understanding Both Approaches
Build internal AI capability through education
Best For:
Companies wanting sustainable internal AI capability
Hire experts to build AI for you
Best For:
Companies with urgent, well-defined AI needs
Key Differences at a Glance
| Factor | AI Training-First | AI Consulting-First |
|---|---|---|
| Long-term Capability Building | Team learns to identify and solve AI problems | Knowledge leaves when consultants leave |
| Speed to Specific Outcome | Slower (team learns, then builds) | Faster (experts build immediately) |
| Government Funding Available | Up to 90% subsidized (HRDF, SkillsFuture, CEF) | Rarely subsidized |
| Cost | Lower (especially with subsidies) | Higher (expert rates) |
| AI Literacy Across Organization | Entire team gains AI understanding | Only project team gains exposure |
| Complex Technical Implementation | Team may need time to develop skills | Experts handle complexity immediately |
When Each Approach Makes Sense
- You're exploring AI and don't know where to start
- You want your team to own AI capability long-term
- Government subsidies are available in your country
- You have 3-6 months before you need AI results
- Multiple departments could benefit from AI literacy
- You have a specific, urgent AI problem to solve
- You need technical implementation your team can't do
- Speed is critical — you need AI live in weeks
- You have budget for external experts
- The AI project is a one-time initiative
Approach Comparison
Training and consulting serve different purposes. The best approach often combines both.
| Factor | AI Training-First | AI Consulting-First |
|---|---|---|
| Cost with Government Subsidies | $500-$5K net | $20K-$500K |
| Long-term Team Capability | ||
| Immediate AI Delivery | ||
| Organization-wide Impact | Project team only | |
| Knowledge Retention | Stays with team | Leaves with consultants |
| Complex Technical Builds | After upskilling |
Choose AI Training-First When...
- You're not sure where AI fits in your business yet
- Government subsidies are available (HRDF, SkillsFuture, CEF, Prakerja)
- You want your team to own AI long-term, not depend on external experts
- Multiple people or departments would benefit from AI literacy
- You have 3-6 months before you need measurable AI results
Choose AI Consulting-First When...
- You have a specific AI problem and need it solved this quarter
- The technical complexity exceeds your team's current capability
- You need a one-time AI implementation, not ongoing capability
- Speed is more important than long-term capability building
- Your team is already AI-literate and needs specialist implementation help
How Pertama Can Help
Whichever approach you choose, Pertama Partners can support your AI journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, and this is often the best approach. Start with training to build AI literacy (especially with government subsidies), then use consulting for specific implementations. Trained teams get far more value from consulting engagements because they can guide, evaluate, and maintain AI solutions.
In Singapore (SkillsFuture): up to 70-90% for eligible programs. In Malaysia (HRDF): up to 100% of training costs for registered employers. In Hong Kong (CEF): up to HK$25,000 per eligible course. These subsidies make training-first dramatically more affordable.
Resistance usually comes from fear of replacement. Good AI training programs (like Pertama's) focus on augmentation — how AI makes their existing roles more productive — not replacement. Starting with executives builds top-down buy-in.