Levy-funded AI apprenticeships for Leeds employers. 100% funded through the Apprenticeship Levy or 95% co-funded for SMEs.
Leeds is reshaping itself as a digital powerhouse. Channel 4 relocated its national headquarters to the city, doubling down on the city's media credentials. ASDA's head office anchors a major retail and ecommerce presence. First Direct and Yorkshire Building Society lead a thriving financial services sector. Sky Betting and Gaming drives the gaming economy. NHS Digital and Leeds Teaching Hospitals are pioneering AI in healthcare.
The Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership has identified digital skills and AI capability as fundamental to regional growth. Yet talent is tight. Companies report they're scaling faster than they can recruit people who combine domain expertise with AI literacy.
AI apprenticeships let Leeds employers build capability using funding they're already paying. Levy-paying employers (annual pay bill over £3 million) use their existing levy pot. Smaller employers access 95% government co-funding, paying just 5% of training costs.
First Direct, Yorkshire Building Society, and major bank operations drive financial services innovation. AI apprenticeships help trading teams, risk managers, and compliance staff automate workflows.
Channel 4's relocation to Leeds made the city a major UK media centre. Apprenticeships help content teams, producers, and creative staff use generative AI tools.
ASDA's head office anchors Leeds' retail sector. Apprenticeships help merchandising, supply chain, and marketing teams use predictive analytics.
Sky Betting and Gaming operates at massive scale from Leeds. Apprenticeships help product teams and data analysts adopt AI for personalisation.
Leeds is a major healthcare hub. Apprenticeships help clinicians, managers, and administrators deploy AI responsibly.
Leeds' professional services sector is adopting AI for contract analysis, legal research, and business intelligence.
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. 15 months, fully levy-funded.
Three Level 5 apprenticeship units — AI Strategy, AI Governance, and AI Transformation — built for senior leaders. 8–12 weeks per unit, no EPA, up to £2,250 combined funding per leader. TESS Group is one of the first approved providers.
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 Leeds. No travel, no disruption.
For employers who prefer face-to-face, we deliver at your Leeds offices. Same programme, same quality.
Every learner gets a dedicated skills coach who understands their role, industry, and goals.
Yes. Any employer paying the Apprenticeship Levy (annual pay bill over £3 million) can use their existing levy funds. This includes ASDA, First Direct, Yorkshire Building Society, Channel 4, and Sky Betting. TESS Group delivers remotely across Leeds and Yorkshire.
No. Apprenticeship training can be delivered remotely by any DWP-approved provider in England. TESS Group is Ofsted Good-rated and delivers live, interactive training via Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
For financial operations teams, the AI & Automation Level 4 is ideal. For Channel 4 and media organisations, the AI Leadership Pathway (Level 5) builds strategic capability for senior leadership.
Absolutely. Team members across Leeds city centre, South Bank, Kirkstall, Headingley, and anywhere in Yorkshire can join the same cohort.
Every TESS programme includes up to five qualifications: the apprenticeship standard, Microsoft Certifications, NCFE Digital Qualifications, vendor-specific credentials, and a portfolio of workplace evidence.
New cohorts start every 4-6 weeks. Typical timeline is 2-4 weeks from enquiry to first learner starting.
Whether you want to test AI apprenticeships with a small pilot or roll out across your Leeds team, we make it simple.