AI Apprenticeships in Stevenage

Levy-funded AI apprenticeships for Stevenage employers. 100% funded through the Apprenticeship Levy or 95% co-funded for SMEs. Delivered live online across Hertfordshire.

20 minto London King's Cross by rail
3global R&D anchors: Airbus, MBDA and GSK
72%TESS distinction rate on AI programmes
4.9/5
Employer Rating
Ofsted Good
Latest Inspection
15-18 months
Typical Programme
Up to 5
Qualifications

Why Stevenage Employers Are Investing in AI Skills

Stevenage packs one of the UK's densest science and engineering clusters into a single commuter town. Airbus Defence and Space builds satellites here, MBDA engineers complex defence systems, and GSK anchors a growing life sciences campus around the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst. That mix creates serious demand for people who can put AI and automation to work, and the apprenticeship levy funds the training.

Across Hertfordshire, employers are racing to adopt AI tools: Microsoft Copilot, Power Automate, ChatGPT, agentic workflows, to compete and to free up frontline time. But AI tools without trained people just sit on the shelf.

AI apprenticeships let Stevenage 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. Whole teams across Stevenage can train together online with no travel disruption.

AI Apprenticeships for Every Stevenage Sector

Airbus Defence and Space

Space & Satellites

Satellites and Mars rovers are built in Stevenage. Programme offices, supply chains and operations teams need AI for planning, documentation and data analysis.

MBDA

Defence Engineering

One of Europe's biggest defence employers. Process-heavy engineering environments benefit from automation, governed AI use and rigorous audit trails.

GSK, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst

Life Sciences

The bioscience campus is scaling fast. Labs and operations teams use AI for literature review, trial logistics and quality documentation.

Regional supply chain

Advanced Manufacturing

Precision engineering SMEs supplying the big three anchors are automating quoting, scheduling and compliance paperwork.

Stevenage Borough Council, Herts CC

Public Sector

Councils and county services are under pressure to do more with less. AI-trained staff automate casework, FOI handling and reporting.

Town centre regeneration

Professional Services & SMEs

Stevenage's regeneration is bringing new firms to the town. Small teams get the biggest relative wins from AI adoption.

Programmes Available to Stevenage Employers

Level 3

Data-Driven Team Leader

For first-line managers who need to use data and AI tools to make better decisions, improve team performance, and lead change.

Stevenage fit: production supervisors, NHS ward managers, retail leaders
Level 4

AI & Automation Practitioner

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.

Stevenage fit: ops teams, finance, HR, manufacturing engineers
Level 5

AI Leadership Pathway

Three Level 5 apprenticeship units (AI Strategy, AI Governance, 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.

Stevenage fit: directors, transformation leads, senior managers
Level 4

AI for Team Leaders

For first-line leaders who need both AI fluency and management capability. Includes CMI Level 3 in Management & Leadership. The natural alternative to the defunded Team Leader L3.

Stevenage fit: supervisors, new managers, team leads
Level 4

AI for Operations Leaders

Operational excellence through AI. Supply chain optimisation, process automation, quality improvement, and analytics. Includes CMI Level 5.

Stevenage fit: ops managers, manufacturing leads, departmental heads
Level 6

AI & ML Fellowship

Advanced programme for technical specialists. Machine learning engineering, neural networks, NLP, and responsible AI at scale.

Stevenage fit: data scientists, engineers, tech leads

How We Deliver to Stevenage

💻

Live Online Sessions

Interactive training via Zoom or Teams. Your team joins from their desks in Stevenage. No travel, no disruption.

🏢

At Your Premises

For employers who prefer face-to-face, we deliver at your Stevenage offices. Same programme, same quality.

🎯

Dedicated Coach

Every learner gets a dedicated skills coach who understands their role, industry, and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Stevenage employers use the Apprenticeship Levy for AI training?

Yes. Any employer paying the Apprenticeship Levy (annual pay bill over £3 million) can use their existing levy funds. TESS Group delivers remotely across Stevenage and Hertfordshire. Non-levy employers access 95% government co-funding, paying just 5% of training costs.

Do I need a training provider based in Stevenage?

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, so a Stevenage-based business can access exactly the same training quality as a London-based one.

Which AI apprenticeship works best for our team?

It depends on the role. For frontline staff in any function, the AI & Automation Practitioner Level 4 is the flagship: no coding, 15 months, levy-funded. For first-line managers, AI for Team Leaders L4. For senior leaders, the L5 AI Leadership Units (Strategy / Governance / Transformation) are short, no-EPA, ~8 weeks each.

Can staff across multiple Hertfordshire sites join?

Absolutely. Because training is delivered live online, team members across Hertfordshire (and beyond) can join the same cohort. We've run cohorts spanning 6+ employer sites.

What qualifications do apprentices receive?

Every TESS programme includes up to five qualifications: the apprenticeship standard, Microsoft certifications (AI-900 or MS-900), NCFE digital qualifications, vendor-specific credentials (Copilot Studio, Power Automate), and a portfolio of workplace evidence. CMI qualifications (L3 or L5) are bundled into AI for Team Leaders / AI for Operations Leaders.

How quickly can we get started?

New cohorts start every 4-6 weeks. From initial enquiry to your first learner starting, the typical timeline is 2-4 weeks. We handle the apprenticeship service registration, learner onboarding, and all admin.

Ready to Discuss Stevenage AI Apprenticeships?

Whether you want to test AI apprenticeships with a small pilot or roll out across your Stevenage team, we make it simple.

Start with a Pilot

Enrol 1-2 team members to test the programme before scaling.

Book a Discovery Call

Roll Out Across Your Team

Enrol a cohort from across your Stevenage operation.

Book a Discovery Call