Levy-funded AI apprenticeships for Manchester employers. 100% funded through the Apprenticeship Levy or 95% co-funded for SMEs.
Manchester has cemented its position as the UK's second-largest technology and digital economy. MediaCityUK hosts the BBC's digital operations, ITV's national production, and dock10 studios. The Co-operative Group's headquarters drives retail innovation. Autotrader, Boohoo, and THG lead ecommerce. Booking.com and Amazon operate major tech hubs. The city's Northern Quarter and Spinningfields are home to thousands of digital-first businesses.
Manchester's financial services sector is substantial, with BNY Mellon, KPMG, and RBS operating significant operations. Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is pioneering AI in clinical pathways. The University of Manchester is a global research leader. Yet companies across all sectors report that finding professionals who combine domain expertise with AI literacy is their greatest challenge.
AI apprenticeships let Manchester 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. Teams across Spinningfields, MediaCityUK, the Northern Quarter, and beyond can train together online.
MediaCityUK anchors a world-class broadcasting cluster. Apprenticeships help content teams, data journalists, producers, and creative staff use generative AI tools and automate production workflows.
Manchester leads UK ecommerce. Apprenticeships help merchandising, supply chain, marketing, and data teams deploy predictive analytics and automate operations.
Major financial services operations across Spinningfields and beyond. Apprenticeships help compliance, risk, analytics, and customer operations teams automate workflows.
Global tech hubs alongside thousands of digital startups. Apprenticeships help engineering, product, and operations teams build AI capability.
Manchester's hospital trusts are pioneering AI in clinical pathways, diagnostics, and patient operations. Apprenticeships help clinical and admin teams deploy AI responsibly.
The Co-operative Group's headquarters drives retail innovation. Apprenticeships help retail operations, logistics, and customer experience teams adopt AI.
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 Manchester. No travel, no disruption.
For employers who prefer face-to-face, we deliver at your Manchester 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 the BBC, ITV, Co-op, Autotrader, BNY Mellon, and Manchester's NHS trusts. TESS Group delivers remotely across Greater Manchester. Non-levy employers access 95% government co-funding.
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 BBC, ITV, and MediaCityUK teams, the AI & Automation Level 4 covers content automation, workflow optimisation, and AI-powered analytics. For senior leaders, the AI Leadership Pathway (Level 5) builds strategic AI capability.
Absolutely. Team members at MediaCityUK, Spinningfields, the Northern Quarter, Trafford Park, and anywhere in Greater Manchester can join the same cohort.
Every TESS programme includes up to five qualifications: the apprenticeship standard, Microsoft Certifications (AI-900 or MS-900), NCFE Digital Qualifications, vendor-specific credentials, and a portfolio of workplace evidence.
New cohorts start every 4-6 weeks. From initial enquiry to your first learner starting, the typical timeline is 2-4 weeks.
Whether you want to test AI apprenticeships with a small pilot or roll out across your Manchester team, we make it simple.