Major changes to apprenticeship funding from April 2026. Understand the new rules and what they mean for your organisation.
Learn More →Nottingham is the East Midlands' largest city and home to 1,800+ digital businesses, a £800m digital economy, and major employers from Boots HQ to Experian. TESS Group delivers levy-funded AI apprenticeships directly to Nottingham teams, with no travel required.
Nottingham has established itself as a critical hub for healthcare, pharmaceuticals, data science, and financial services. Boots, a global healthcare and beauty company with headquarters in Beeston, is integrating AI into supply chain, pharmacy operations, and customer experience. Experian, the world's largest credit data company, has major operations in Nottingham and is advancing AI-driven risk and analytics solutions. Capital One UK, one of Europe's leading digital banks, is building AI capability across fintech and customer service.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust operates the city's two major teaching hospitals and is pioneering AI in pathology, radiology, and operations. The Creative Quarter is home to digital agencies, design studios, and tech startups. Yet talent is scarce. 79% of East Midlands employers now say AI skills are essential, but competition for talent from London and Manchester is intense. The East Midlands Freeport, being developed with Nottingham as a key location, will drive logistics, manufacturing, and trade.
AI apprenticeships let Nottingham employers build capability using their existing levy funds. Levy-paying employers use their levy pool. Smaller firms access 95% government co-funding, paying just 5% of training costs. For a city with strong pharmaceutical, data, and healthcare sectors, apprenticeships are a direct way to grow talent locally.
Nottingham's economy spans healthcare, pharmaceuticals, financial services, data science, retail, manufacturing, and tech. Here's how AI apprenticeships apply across the city and region's key industries.
Boots HQ and Nottingham University Hospitals are major healthcare employers. AI apprenticeships help pharmacy operations, supply chain, procurement, and clinical teams deploy AI in patient diagnostics, inventory management, and service transformation.
Experian, headquartered in Nottingham, is a global leader in data and analytics. AI apprenticeships help data scientists, risk analysts, and product teams build machine learning capability, advanced analytics, and responsible AI at enterprise scale.
Capital One UK and regional financial services firms are deploying AI for customer analytics, fraud detection, and operations. Apprenticeships help compliance, analytics, and operations teams integrate AI responsibly within financial governance.
Nottingham's Creative Quarter is a vibrant hub of digital agencies, design studios, and fintech startups. AI apprenticeships help product teams, developers, and product managers build AI capability in automation, analytics, and machine learning.
Nottingham's retail sector, anchored by Boots and luxury brands like Paul Smith, is adopting AI for merchandising, personalisation, and operations. Apprenticeships help retail ops, marketing, and supply chain teams build analytical capability.
Nottingham City Council and the East Midlands Freeport are adopting AI for service delivery, logistics, and operations. Apprenticeships help administrators, analysts, and logistics leaders deploy AI in public sector and supply chain contexts.
All six TESS AI apprenticeship programmes are available to employers in Nottingham and across the East Midlands. Each one is delivered live and remotely, so your team trains from the Creative Quarter, Beeston, Lace Market, or anywhere in the city.
For first-line managers who need to use data and AI tools to drive performance, make analytical decisions, 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 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 Nottingham city centre, the Creative Quarter, or Beeston. No travel, no disruption.
For Boots, NHS, or large enterprises, we deliver at your Nottingham offices. Same programme, same quality, in-person facilitation aligned with your schedules.
Every learner gets a dedicated skills coach who understands their role, sector, and goals. Regular 1-to-1 reviews throughout the programme.
Yes. Any East Midlands employer paying the Apprenticeship Levy (annual pay bill over £3 million) can use their existing levy funds for AI apprenticeships. This includes Boots, Experian, Capital One UK, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, and other major employers. TESS Group delivers remotely across Nottingham and the East Midlands, so your team trains from your own offices. Non-levy employers access 95% government co-funding, paying just 5% of training costs.
Absolutely. Boots, Walgregs Boots Alliance, and Nottingham University Hospitals are major regional employers with substantial AI adoption needs. TESS Group delivers the AI for Operations Leaders Level 4, which covers supply chain, data analytics, and process optimisation, ideal for pharmacy operations and healthcare systems. For Boots corporate teams, the AI & Automation Level 4 builds practical capability in merchandising, inventory, and customer analytics. All programmes are delivered remotely to accommodate large enterprise scheduling.
For Nottingham University Hospitals and healthcare providers, the AI for Operations Leaders Level 4 is ideal for supply chain, procurement, and service transformation. For Boots pharmacy operations and healthcare data teams, the Data-Driven Team Leader Level 3 builds analytical leadership. For Experian, Capital One UK, and financial services firms, the AI & Automation Level 4 covers process automation, analytics, and responsible AI deployment within compliance frameworks. For senior leaders, the AI for Leaders & Managers Level 4 builds strategic AI capability.
Absolutely. Because training is delivered live online, team members from Boots' Beeston campus, Nottingham city centre, Capital One offices, Experian sites, and anywhere across the East Midlands can join the same cohort. This works brilliantly for large employers with multiple locations or teams spread across the region.
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. Nottingham and East Midlands apprentices gain comprehensive, industry-recognised credentials valued by healthcare, pharma, data, and fintech employers.
New cohorts start every 4-6 weeks. From initial enquiry to your first learner starting, the typical timeline is 2-4 weeks, depending on internal sign-off and DAS setup. We handle the ESFA paperwork and make the onboarding process straightforward for Nottingham employers, with minimal disruption to business operations.
Whether you want to pilot with one or two people or roll out across your Nottingham operation, we'll build the right approach for your business.
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 Nottingham operation. We'll tailor the programme to your sector and business goals.
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