Levy-funded AI apprenticeships for Leicester employers. 100% funded through the Apprenticeship Levy or 95% co-funded for SMEs.
Leicester is the UK's retail capital and a powerhouse for manufacturing and logistics. Next PLC and Dunelm Group both have their global headquarters in the city, alongside Walkers, PepsiCo's Pringles factory, Samworth Brothers, and hundreds of logistics firms anchored around Fosse Park and the M1 corridor.
Retail and e-commerce leaders need teams skilled in AI-powered merchandising, demand forecasting, and supply chain automation. Food and drink manufacturers require capabilities in quality analytics and predictive maintenance. Yet skilled AI practitioners remain scarce across the East Midlands.
AI apprenticeships let Leicester employers develop that talent using funding they're already paying. Levy-paying employers use their existing levy pot. Smaller employers access 95% government co-funding.
Next PLC and Dunelm Group both headquartered in Leicester. AI apprenticeships help merchandising, supply chain, and marketing teams use predictive analytics and automate inventory.
Walkers' Leicester factory and Samworth Brothers' food manufacturing. AI apprenticeships help production teams adopt predictive maintenance and process automation.
Hundreds of logistics firms across Fosse Park and the wider East Midlands. AI apprenticeships equip operations managers with supply chain analytics and route optimisation.
University Hospitals Leicester. AI apprenticeships help clinical operations and IT staff deploy AI across patient scheduling and diagnostics support.
AI apprenticeships help administrators and service leaders deploy AI responsibly in citizen services and public administration.
Growing digital and creative sector. AI apprenticeships help agency teams and developers adopt AI-powered design and automation tools.
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 Leicester. No travel, no disruption.
For employers who prefer face-to-face, we deliver at your Leicester offices. Same programme, same quality.
Every learner gets a dedicated skills coach who understands their role, industry, and goals.
Yes. This includes Next PLC, Dunelm Group, Walkers, and Samworth Brothers. TESS Group delivers remotely across Leicester and the East Midlands. Non-levy employers access 95% government co-funding.
No. Apprenticeship training can be delivered remotely by any DWP-approved provider. TESS Group is Ofsted Good-rated and delivers live training via Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
For retail employers like Next and Dunelm, the AI & Automation Level 4 covers merchandising analytics, inventory optimisation, and supply chain automation. For leadership teams, the AI Leadership Pathway (Level 5) builds strategic AI capability.
Absolutely. Team members at Fosse Park, the city centre, Leicester Business Park, and anywhere in the East Midlands can join the same cohort.
Every programme includes up to five qualifications: the apprenticeship standard, Microsoft Certifications, NCFE Digital Qualifications, vendor-specific credentials, and 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 Leicester team, we make it simple.