The Question Most Employers Never Think to Ask
When you invest in an AI apprenticeship for your team, how many professional qualifications do your people actually walk away with?
It sounds like a simple question. But most employers never ask it because they assume the answer is obvious: you get the apprenticeship standard. That is what you are paying for, so that is what you get.
For most providers, that assumption is correct. The standard is all you get, or perhaps one extra certificate if you are lucky. Your team completes 15 months of training and walks away with a single line on their CV.
At TESS Group, we took a different approach. We asked: if someone is dedicating 15 to 18 months of their career to professional development, shouldn't they walk away with every qualification they have earned along the way? The answer is yes. And because every qualification we embed is funded through the same apprenticeship levy, there is no additional cost to the employer.
qualifications per programme
qualifications per programme
What "Up to 5 Qualifications" Actually Looks Like
Let's make this concrete. Here is the full qualification stack embedded in our AI and Automation Practitioner Level 4 (ST1512) apprenticeship:
That is five recognised, career-boosting qualifications. Not upsells. Not optional extras. Not certificates you have to pay for separately. Every one of them is embedded in the programme and fully funded through the Growth and Skills Levy.
We designed the qualification stack this way because we believe an apprenticeship should be the most qualification-rich year of someone's career. Every learner deserves to walk away with tangible, portable credentials that open doors whether they stay with their current employer or move on.
How We Compare to Other Providers
We ran this comparison so you don't have to. Here is what you actually get from UK apprenticeship providers delivering AI and digital programmes in 2026:
| Criteria | Typical Provider | Large Generalist | Tech Specialist | TESS Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifications per programme | 1 | 1 to 2 | 1 to 2 (BCS) | Up to 5 |
| Microsoft Copilot embedded | Sometimes | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Google AI Essentials option | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| CMI/ILM Leadership included | ✗ | Extra cost | ✗ | Included |
| Bespoke programme design | ✗ | Limited | ✗ | ✓ |
| Monthly rolling starts | ✗ | Limited | ✓ | ✓ |
| Distinction rate | ~20% | Not published | Not published | 59% |
| Employer satisfaction | Varies | Varies | Varies | 4.9/5 from 689+ reviews |
Comparison based on publicly available programme information from major UK apprenticeship providers as of April 2026. Provider names withheld. Ask us for the named comparison on your discovery call.
When we show employers this comparison, the reaction is always the same: "Why would we choose a provider that gives our people one qualification when they could have five for the same investment?" The levy funds the full programme either way. The only difference is what your team walks away with.
Why More Qualifications Means More ROI
This is not about collecting certificates for the sake of it. Every qualification we embed serves a purpose for both the learner and their employer.
Microsoft Copilot AB-730 is increasingly requested in job specifications. It validates that someone can use AI productivity tools across the Microsoft 365 suite, not just chat with them. For organisations rolling out Copilot licences, having certified users means faster adoption and fewer wasted licences.
NCFE Level 3 in Data Analysis gives your team the skills to interpret dashboards, build reports, and make data-driven decisions. This is not theoretical. Learners build real outputs using their organisation's own data during the programme.
NCFE Level 3 in Cyber Security is essential context for anyone working with AI tools and sensitive data. It covers risk assessment, data protection, and secure working practices.
NCFE AI Prompt Engineering turns casual AI users into skilled practitioners. This is the difference between someone who types a question into ChatGPT and someone who consistently gets production-quality outputs from AI orchestration tools.
CMI or ILM Leadership gives learners a nationally recognised management qualification that opens doors to senior roles. Combined with AI skills, this is a powerful career accelerator.
(national avg ~20%)
from 689+ verified reviews
per programme
embedded qualifications
The Qualification Stack Across Every Programme
The multi-qualification model is not limited to our Level 4. Here is what each TESS Group programme delivers:
AI and Automation Practitioner
Our flagship AI programme. Microsoft or Google edition available.
AI for Operations Leaders
For middle managers and operational leaders who need to embed AI across their teams.
Data-Driven Team Leader
The replacement for the defunded Team Leader L3. AI skills from day one.
AI Leadership Unit (AU0002)
Short, high-impact unit for directors and senior leaders. No end-point assessment.
What This Means for Retention and Career Progression
There is a direct link between qualification outcomes and staff retention. People who gain portable, recognised credentials during their employment are measurably more engaged and more likely to stay.
This is not just our observation. Research from the CIPD consistently shows that investment in professional qualifications is one of the strongest predictors of employee engagement. When someone gains a CMI Award, a Microsoft certification, and an NCFE certificate in a single year, they feel genuinely invested in.
Our clients regularly tell us that learners take on new responsibilities within months of starting their programme. Promotions follow. Teams that were stuck on manual processes start automating. People who used to avoid data start building dashboards.
One of our clients in the public sector told us their learners were applying skills from week two. By month six, they had built internal AI tools that saved their team 12 hours a week. The qualifications give people confidence, but the real value is what they do with the skills before they even finish the programme.
The Platform-Flexible Advantage
Unlike providers who lock you into a single tech ecosystem, TESS Group programmes are platform-diverse by design. If your organisation uses Microsoft 365, learners take the Microsoft Copilot AB-730 exam. If you run on Google Workspace, they take Google AI Essentials instead.
But it goes further than that. Across the programme, learners work with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and open-source tools. The goal is fluency across platforms, not dependence on one vendor. This matters because the AI landscape moves fast. The tool your team uses today may not be the best option in 12 months. Platform-diverse training means your investment stays relevant regardless of which tools you adopt next.
How the Levy Funds All of This
The entire qualification stack is funded through the Growth and Skills Levy at no additional cost to employers. Here is how it works:
Levy-paying employers (pay bill over £3 million): the full programme, including all embedded qualifications, exam fees, and learning materials, is funded from your levy account. The total cost is £18,000 for the Level 4, which is the same price as any other provider delivering the same standard, but you get significantly more qualifications for the same investment.
SMEs: you can access 95% government co-investment, meaning you pay just 5% of the cost. For apprentices aged 16 to 24 at non-levy paying SMEs, the government covers 100% from 2026. Use our levy calculator to see exactly what your organisation qualifies for.
Ofsted Good, 59% Distinctions, 689+ Reviews
Qualifications embedded in a poorly delivered programme are worth nothing. That is why outcomes matter just as much as the qualification stack itself.
TESS Group holds an Ofsted Good rating. Our distinction rate of 59% is nearly three times the national average of approximately 20%. And with a 4.9 out of 5 satisfaction score from 689+ verified employer reviews, our delivery quality is not just something we claim. It is something our clients confirm.
Every programme is bespoke. We do not run generic cohorts where 30 learners from different industries sit through the same slides. Each programme is designed around your organisation's sector, goals, tools, and challenges. Learners work on real projects from their own roles. The qualifications they earn reflect skills they have genuinely built and applied.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many qualifications do you get from an AI apprenticeship?
Most providers deliver just the apprenticeship standard, sometimes with one additional certificate. TESS Group embeds up to 5 accredited qualifications including Microsoft Copilot AB-730 (or Google AI Essentials), NCFE Level 3 in Data Analysis, NCFE Level 3 in Cyber Security, NCFE AI Prompt Engineering, and CMI or ILM Leadership and Management. All are included at no additional cost.
Is the Microsoft Copilot certification included in the apprenticeship cost?
Yes. The Microsoft Copilot AB-730 certification is embedded in TESS Group AI apprenticeship programmes at no extra cost. Learners take the exam as part of their programme, and the qualification is fully funded through the apprenticeship levy. Organisations using Google Workspace receive Google AI Essentials instead.
What is the difference between CMI and ILM qualifications?
CMI (Chartered Management Institute) and ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) are both nationally recognised awarding bodies for leadership qualifications. In TESS Group programmes, learners can achieve CMI Level 3 Award or CMI Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management, or the ILM equivalent. Both carry the same professional recognition and are included at no additional cost.
Are these qualifications recognised by employers?
Yes. Microsoft Copilot certification is increasingly requested in job specifications. CMI qualifications are the UK standard for management and leadership. NCFE certificates in data analysis and cyber security are regulated by Ofqual. Together, these credentials significantly strengthen a CV and are recognised across sectors.
Can SMEs access the same qualification stack?
Yes. SMEs can access 95% to 100% government co-investment funding. The same programme with up to 5 embedded qualifications is available to all employers regardless of size. For apprentices aged 16 to 24 at non-levy paying SMEs, the government covers 100% of the training cost from 2026.
How do you want to start?
Talk to us about your team's goals and we will build a custom qualification pathway.
Book a Free Discovery CallExplore the programmes
See the full details on each programme, including all embedded qualifications.
View AI and Automation L4