Major changes to apprenticeship funding from April 2026. Understand the new rules and what they mean for your organisation.
Learn More →Oxford is at the forefront of life sciences innovation and the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. Home to world-class research, life sciences clusters, BMW MINI Plant, Sophos, and Oxford University, TESS Group delivers levy-funded AI apprenticeships directly to Oxford teams.
Oxford is a global centre of excellence in life sciences, research, and innovation. Oxford Biomedica, Immunocore, and hundreds of biotech and life sciences companies are pioneering cell therapies, immunotherapy, and precision medicine. Oxford University drives cutting-edge research across engineering, computer science, and medicine. BMW MINI Plant manufactures advanced vehicles. Sophos, headquartered in Oxford, is a world-leading cybersecurity company. The broader Oxford-Cambridge Arc is recognised as one of Europe's most dynamic innovation corridors, attracting investment and talent across life sciences, AI, advanced manufacturing, and clean technology.
Yet this rapid growth has created a critical talent gap. Life sciences companies need data scientists and AI specialists to power drug discovery, clinical trials, and personalised medicine. Research institutions require machine learning engineers and computational biologists. Manufacturing facilities need AI-driven automation and quality analytics. The shortage is acute, with many Oxford employers unable to find the talent they need to remain competitive in a global market. Upskilling existing teams through apprenticeships has become essential.
AI apprenticeships let Oxford employers develop that talent using funding they're already paying. Levy-paying employers (annual pay bill over £3 million) can use their existing levy pot. Smaller employers access 95% government co-funding, paying just 5% of training costs.
Oxford's economy is defined by life sciences and biotech, research and education, automotive and advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and professional services. Here's how AI apprenticeships apply across the city's key industries.
Life sciences and biotech companies pioneering cell therapy and immunotherapy. AI apprenticeships help data scientists, research analysts, and bioinformaticians develop AI for drug discovery, clinical trial optimisation, and personalised medicine platforms.
World-leading research and education institution driving innovation in engineering, medicine, and AI. AI apprenticeships help researchers, computational biologists, and academics develop machine learning models, manage research data, and scale research impact.
BMW MINI Plant and associated advanced engineering suppliers. AI apprenticeships help production engineers, quality specialists, and manufacturing leaders adopt predictive maintenance, autonomous systems integration, and smart manufacturing.
Sophos, headquartered in Oxford, and other cybersecurity and technology firms. AI apprenticeships help security engineers, product managers, and developers build AI-powered security solutions, threat detection systems, and autonomous response platforms.
Professional services and consulting firms serving research, biotech, and innovation sectors. AI apprenticeships help consultants, analysts, and delivery teams build AI solutions, manage complex data, and support digital transformation.
John Radcliffe Hospital and Oxford's NHS foundation trust. AI apprenticeships help clinical operations, IT teams, and administrators deploy AI across diagnostics support, patient scheduling, workforce planning, and healthcare analytics.
All six TESS AI apprenticeship programmes are available to employers in Oxford and across the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. Each one is delivered live and remotely, so your team trains from the Science Park, Headington, Cowley, Harwell, 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 at the Science Park, Headington, Cowley, or anywhere in Oxford. No travel, no disruption to research or production.
For employers who prefer face-to-face, we deliver at your Oxford offices or facilities. Same programme, same quality, in-person facilitation on-site.
Every learner gets a dedicated skills coach who understands their role, their industry, and their goals. Regular 1-to-1 progress reviews throughout the apprenticeship.
Yes. Any employer paying the Apprenticeship Levy (annual pay bill over £3 million) can use their existing levy funds for AI apprenticeships. This includes Oxford Biomedica, Immunocore, Sophos, University of Oxford, and other major Oxford employers. TESS Group delivers remotely across Oxford and the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, 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 Oxford employers via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. There is no requirement for your provider to have a physical office in Oxford. What matters is the quality of training, the qualifications included, and the support your learners receive.
For life sciences and biotech companies like Oxford Biomedica and Immunocore, the AI & Automation Level 4 (ST1512) is ideal. It covers data analytics, process automation, research data management, and AI-powered drug discovery workflows. For research leaders and programme managers, the AI for Operations Leaders Level 4 builds strategic capability in research automation, computational biology, and scaling research impact.
Absolutely. Because training is delivered live online, team members at the Science Park, Headington, Cowley, Harwell, Cambridge, and anywhere else in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc can join the same cohort. This also works for employers with teams spread 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 Oxford 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 Oxford operation. We'll tailor the programme to your sector and business goals.
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