Full AI apprenticeships and short AI Apprenticeship Units — both under one roof. Built for non-technical teams. All levy-funded.
Next cohort starts in 12 days. Monthly starts across all programmes · most employers are live within 4–6 weeks of first contact.
[1] Based on TESS apprentice EPA outcomes across 2024–2026 cohorts.
Train a team with a 15-month apprenticeship — or upskill a senior leader with a focused 6–8 week AI Apprenticeship Unit. You get both formats under one roof at TESS — and every option is fully funded.
The base-level AI apprenticeship for anyone whose job touches AI — using Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, automating workflows, working with data. No coding needed.
AI-powered team leadership with CMI Level 3 embedded. For first-line leaders stepping into AI-ready management.
AI-driven operational excellence with CMI Level 5. For middle managers leading departments, ops, process improvement.
The only AI apprenticeship with a formally-assessed CMI Level 5 Coaching credential. For HR, L&D, internal & external coaches.
Three short Level 5 units — AU0009 Strategy, AU0010 Governance, AU0011 Transformation. Each one stands alone. 2–4 weeks. No EPA.
Deep learning, NLP, computer vision & MLOps. Degree-level programme for technical AI & ML engineering roles.
Level 3 first-step pathway. Build the foundation before progressing to a specialist Level 4 AI track.
Tell us about your team in 25 minutes and we'll match every role to the right unit. No commitment, response within 1 working day.
Senior leaders rarely have time for a 15-month apprenticeship — but they do need 30 focused hours on the right topic. These are stand-alone Skills England units. Each one works on its own. 2–4 weeks. £750. No EPA, no portfolio.
Set the AI direction your organisation actually follows.
Adopt AI without breaking what matters.
Move AI from pilot to programme.
Coachy is the AI tutor built into every TESS apprenticeship. KSB-aware, EPA-safe, signed in via OneFile. Available 24/7 on mobile, web and inside Microsoft Teams. Included free — every learner, every cohort.
The KSB-aligned curriculum delivered across every Level 4 AI apprenticeship — from the flagship AI & Automation Practitioner through Team Leaders, Operations Leaders and Coaching Professionals. Each specialism layers additional content on top.
The business case for ethical AI. Reputational risk, staff morale, customer trust.
Legal frameworks, employment rights, data protection. EU AI Act in plain English.
Map workflows, uncover waste, identify AI opportunities in your operating model.
Augmentation, not replacement. Human-centred AI design that teams actually adopt.
Hands-on with low-code & no-code platforms. Power Automate, Zapier, n8n — no programming.
Use AI to analyse complex data and generate insights leaders can act on.
Lead colleagues through AI-driven change with empathy and structure.
Run AI pilots, iterate, prove ROI before rollout. Kill the bad ones early.
Assurance, governance, mitigation. Safe & accountable AI in regulated environments.
Advocate for AI change. Influence leaders, boards, sceptical stakeholders.
AI across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams. Microsoft AB-730 certification prep.
Workplace project, evidence portfolio, distinction-grade EPA preparation.
The 11 modules are identical across every L4 AI apprenticeship — what changes is the specialism layered on top: + CMI L3 for Team Leaders · + CMI L5 for Ops Leaders · + CMI L5 Coaching for Coaching Pros.
See the full flagship spec →Pick your row. Click through to the full spec. Every one fully funded.
| Programme | Level | Duration | Qualifications | Funding | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI & Automation Practitioner Flagship · start here |
L4 | 15–18 mo | NCFEMicrosoftBCS | £18,000 | → |
| 8-Month Fast-Track BCS project month 5 · agentic AI |
L4 | 8 months | NCFEMicrosoftBCS | £18,000 | → |
| AI for Team Leaders First-line leadership + AI |
L4 | 15–18 mo | CMI L3NCFEBCSMicrosoft | £18,000 | → |
| AI for Operations Leaders Middle management + CMI L5 |
L4 | 15–18 mo | CMI L5NCFEBCSMicrosoft | £18,000 | → |
| AI for Coaching Professionals Coaching alternative |
L4 | 15 mo | CMI L5 CoachingNCFEBCSMicrosoft | £18,000 | → |
| AI Apprenticeship Units AU0009 + AU0010 + AU0011 · No EPA · take one or more |
L5 | 2–4 wks/unit | StrategyGovernanceTransformation | £750per unit | → |
| AI & ML Fellowship Degree-level technical |
L6 | 21 mo | BCS L4 DataNVIDIAAzure AI | £22,000 | → |
Nationally regulated awards and globally recognised vendor certifications, all built into the apprenticeship at no additional levy spend.
Most providers include zero to one additional certifications. TESS embeds up to five in every programme — at no additional levy spend.
TESS Group offers two distinct kinds of AI training. They use different government funding rules — both legitimate, both well-established. Here's what your CFO needs to see.
Wherever your team spends hours on repeatable work, AI can collapse it into minutes. Here's what an AI-trained apprentice changes across the business.
Scenario modelling, competitor intel, board-ready synthesis. Decisions pressure-tested before they're made.
Screen applicants, surface retention risk, draft policy in your voice. Time saved on paperwork goes back to humans.
Automate month-end pulls, flag anomalies, build rolling forecasts that actually get updated.
Account research in seconds, personalised outreach at scale, pipeline scored by real signal.
Proper segmentation, on-brand campaigns in minutes, variant testing before a pound of media spend.
Deflect repetitive tickets with governed AI agents, mine every conversation for product signal.
Predict demand, optimise routing and rotas, catch equipment issues before they stop a line.
Contract review with flagged deviations, regulatory tracking without a dedicated analyst.
Versus ~33% UK national average. Closed cohorts & named skills coaches drive it.
Learners automate repetitive workflows from month one. Compounds across the team.
Fully funded through your Apprenticeship Levy — money you've already paid.
Apprentices apply skills directly to their role throughout — your business benefits from week one.
Across all programmes. 85%+ achievement rate across cohorts.
Across 100+ employers including Financial Times, EDF Energy, Transport for London, DPD, Clarins.
This programme doesn't just teach AI — it transforms how our entire team thinks about their work. The results have been immediate and measurable. Processes that took hours reduced to minutes.
We needed something that would actually land with non-technical staff. TESS understood that from day one. Our people are building real automations within weeks, not months.
The embedded qualifications were the clincher. Our team came away with Microsoft Copilot, NCFE credentials, and practical skills they're using every day. Genuine value for the levy spend.
Coachy is the standout. Our apprentices use it between sessions to talk through real client cases — like having a 24/7 supervisor who's read every textbook. Worth the apprenticeship on its own.
Two ways to narrow it down before you book a call. Pick whichever fits your moment.
Answer 6 quick questions about your team, your goals and your funding. We match you to the right programme or unit in under 2 minutes, no obligation.
Start the assessmentWhat to ask any AI apprenticeship provider before you sign. 7 vetting criteria, levy questions, EPAO checks and the red flags to avoid.
Open the guideA government-backed training programme delivered in the workplace, combining live online learning with on-the-job AI projects. Available at Levels 3 to 6, lasting 12–24 months, funded through the Apprenticeship Levy (or 95–100% co-funded for SMEs). The flagship is the L4 AI & Automation Practitioner standard ST1512, capped at £18,000 per learner.
Three Level 5 AI Apprenticeship Units approved by Skills England. AU0009 AI Strategy & Opportunity, AU0010 AI Adoption & Governance, AU0011 AI Delivery & Transformation. Each is a 30-hour unit delivered over 2–4 weeks, £750, 100% government-funded for SMEs with no co-investment. No EPA. Each unit stands alone — most leaders take one that matches their role rather than all three.
The Apprenticeship Levy rebranded for 2026. A 0.5% tax on annual pay bills over £3m, paid into a digital account employers spend on apprenticeship training. Funds expire after 24 months — use them or lose them. SMEs without a levy account access 95–100% government co-investment.
Absolutely. Most TESS apprentices are existing employees being upskilled — no requirement to hire new staff. Any employee who will genuinely develop new skills is eligible, regardless of seniority.
No, for Levels 3–5. The Level 6 AI & ML Fellowship requires technical aptitude, but we assess for potential rather than prior experience.
Approximately 20% of working time — typically one day per week. Includes workshops, self-directed study, and practical projects. The remaining 80% applies what they learn directly to their work.
72% of TESS apprentices achieve Distinction at EPA — versus the 33% UK national average. Driven by closed cohorts, named skills coaches, and Coachy AI tutor.
All sessions live online via Microsoft Teams or Zoom across England. Monthly cohort starts. Closed cohorts and face-to-face workshops available on request.
All seven programmes delivered via Zoom & Teams. Pick your location for local employer support and your nearest cohort start.
No commitment, just a 25-minute chat about programme options, funding, timelines and next steps. Response within 1 working day.
