Major changes to apprenticeship funding from April 2026. Understand the new rules and what they mean for your organisation.
Learn More →Exeter is the South West's fastest-growing knowledge economy, home to 800+ digital businesses and a thriving climate science cluster. TESS Group delivers levy-funded AI apprenticeships directly to Exeter teams, with no travel required.
Exeter has emerged as the South West's innovation and knowledge economy engine. The Met Office, the UK's national weather and climate science authority, operates its headquarters here. University of Exeter is a Russell Group research powerhouse. Royal Devon University Healthcare serves 700,000+ people. EDF Energy, renewable energy innovators, and agritech startups cluster around the city. Exeter Science Park is rapidly growing. This convergence of climate science, healthcare, energy transition, and agricultural technology creates unique AI opportunities, yet acute talent scarcity.
The Met Office alone needs hundreds of professionals trained in AI and machine learning for climate modelling, weather prediction systems, and AI-powered climate research. Healthcare organisations need operatives skilled in AI for patient care, diagnostics, and operational optimisation. Energy companies need automation experts for grid management and renewable integration. Agricultural technology companies need AI-skilled professionals for precision farming and food security solutions.
AI apprenticeships solve this locally. Levy-paying employers use existing funds. Smaller firms access 95% government co-funding. Training is delivered remotely, so teams in Exeter Science Park, Sowton, Marsh Barton, or Cranbrook can participate without disruption.
Exeter's economy spans climate science, healthcare, energy, agriculture, education, and digital innovation. Here's how AI apprenticeships apply across the city's key industries.
The Met Office needs machine learning engineers, data scientists, and AI-skilled research support staff. AI apprenticeships, especially the ML Fellowship Level 6, build deep technical capability in neural networks, climate modelling, and AI systems.
Healthcare operations depend on patient flow optimisation, diagnostic support, and operational efficiency. AI apprenticeships help clinical and administrative teams deploy AI responsibly in healthcare settings.
Energy transition and grid optimisation require AI expertise in demand prediction, renewable integration, and operational automation. Apprenticeships build capability across technical and operational roles.
AgriTech and precision farming companies use AI for yield prediction, resource optimisation, and sustainable food production. Apprenticeships equip product and operations teams with AI capability.
As a Russell Group university, Exeter is a research leader. AI apprenticeships help academic operations, research support, learning technology, and business development teams integrate AI into education and discovery.
Regional financial institutions use AI for customer analytics, risk assessment, and operations automation. Apprenticeships help finance, compliance, and customer service teams deploy AI capability.
All six TESS AI apprenticeship programmes are available to employers in Exeter and across the South West. Each one is delivered live and remotely, so your team trains from Exeter Science Park, Sowton, or wherever they work.
For first-line managers who need to use data and AI tools to make better decisions, improve team performance, and lead change.
The core hands-on programme. Build, test, and deploy AI and automation solutions using Microsoft Copilot, Power Automate, or Google Workspace AI. No coding required.
Strategic AI capability for senior managers. Covers AI strategy, responsible deployment, change management, and building an AI-ready culture.
For HR, L&D, and people managers. Embed AI into recruitment, performance management, workforce planning, and employee engagement.
Operational excellence through AI. Supply chain optimisation, process automation, quality improvement, and operational analytics.
Advanced programme for technical specialists. Machine learning engineering, neural networks, NLP, and responsible AI at scale.
Interactive training via Zoom or Teams. Your team joins from their desks in Exeter. No travel, no disruption to the working week.
For employers who prefer face-to-face, we deliver at your Exeter offices. Same programme, same quality, in-person facilitation.
Every learner gets a dedicated skills coach who understands their role, their industry, and their goals. Regular 1-to-1 progress reviews throughout.
Yes. Any employer paying the Apprenticeship Levy (annual pay bill over £3 million) can use their existing levy funds for AI apprenticeships. The Met Office, EDF Energy, and other major Exeter employers use their levy for training. TESS Group delivers remotely across the South West, so your team trains from your own offices. Non-levy employers access 95% government co-funding, paying just 5% of training costs.
No. Apprenticeship training can be delivered remotely by any ESFA-approved provider in England. TESS Group is Ofsted Good-rated and delivers live, interactive training to Exeter employers via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. There is no requirement for your provider to have a physical office in Exeter. What matters is the quality of training, the qualifications included, and the support your learners receive.
For the Met Office and climate research organisations, the AI & ML Fellowship Level 6 (ST0801) is the strongest fit. It covers machine learning engineering, neural networks, and scientific computing. For operations and support teams, the AI & Automation Level 4 builds automation and data analytics capability. For leadership teams setting AI strategy, the AI for Leaders & Managers Level 4 develops strategic vision.
Absolutely. Because training is delivered live online, team members in Exeter Science Park, Sowton, Marsh Barton, Cranbrook, and anywhere across the South West can join the same cohort. This also works for employers with teams across other UK regions.
Every TESS programme includes up to five qualifications: the apprenticeship standard itself, Microsoft Certifications (AI-900 or MS-900), NCFE Digital Qualifications, vendor-specific credentials (Google AI Essentials, Power Platform), and a portfolio of workplace evidence. Most competitors offer 0-1 additional certifications beyond the standard.
New cohorts start every 4-6 weeks. From initial enquiry to your first learner starting, the typical timeline is 2-4 weeks, depending on your internal sign-off process and DAS (Digital Apprenticeship Service) setup. We handle the ESFA paperwork and make the onboarding process as straightforward as possible.
Whether you want to pilot with one or two people or roll out across a team, we'll build the right approach for your Exeter operation.
Enrol 1-2 team members to test the programme before scaling. See the impact first-hand with minimal commitment.
Book a Discovery CallEnrol a cohort from across your Exeter operation. We'll tailor the programme to your sector and business goals.
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