Definitive Guide • Updated March 2026

AI & Automation Practitioner Apprenticeship Level 4: The Complete Employer Guide (2026)

Q: Do my employees need a technical background?

No. The Level 4 AI & Automation Practitioner Apprenticeship is designed specifically for non-technical professionals. It's built for people in HR, operations, finance, marketing, L&D, and management roles who want to understand AI and use it in their day-to-day work. No coding or data science skills required.

Q: Can I use my apprenticeship levy to fund this?

Yes. The Level 4 AI & Automation Practitioner Apprenticeship (ST1512) is fully funded through the Apprenticeship Levy (Growth and Skills Levy from April 2026) at up to £18,000 per learner. For levy-paying employers, there's zero additional cost. Non-levy employers pay just 5% — the government covers the other 95%.

Q: How much time does it take away from work?

Approximately 20% of the working week must be 'off the job' for learning — roughly one day per week or equivalent spread across the week. This is typically a combination of workshop sessions, 1:1 coaching, and independent study. The exact schedule is flexible and can be tailored to your organisation's needs.

Q: What qualifications do apprentices get?

Apprentices earn the Level 4 apprenticeship standard (ST1512) plus multiple embedded qualifications including BCS, CMI, NCFE, and Microsoft certifications. The exact qualifications depend on the programme flavour, but all include several recognised industry-standard credentials.

Q: Can we do a closed cohort just for our organisation?

Yes, absolutely. We run closed cohorts for organisations with 10–15 or more learners. These can be fully tailored to your industry, business challenges, and learning preferences. We also offer hybrid delivery options — some face-to-face workshops plus online sessions — if you'd prefer a blend.

Everything you need to know about the UK's first apprenticeship designed for non-technical professionals to develop practical AI and automation skills. Fully levy funded. 18 months. No coding required.

29 March 2026 8 min read For employers across all sectors

The headline

The Level 4 AI & Automation Practitioner Apprenticeship (ST1512) is the UK's first apprenticeship specifically designed to give non-technical professionals practical AI skills. It's fully funded through the Apprenticeship Levy at up to £18,000 per learner — and TESS Group is one of the UK's highest-rated providers delivering it right now.

What is the AI & Automation Practitioner Apprenticeship?

The Level 4 AI & Automation Practitioner Apprenticeship (standard code ST1512) is an 18-month programme designed to upskill your existing workforce. It's equivalent to the first year of a degree and was created by Skills England to fill a specific gap in the UK labour market.

Here's what makes it different: it's not for software engineers or data scientists building AI systems. It's for the other 95% of the workforce — the people in HR, operations, finance, marketing, L&D, management, and business roles who need to understand AI, use it effectively, and lead their teams through automation. It's the business-focused route to AI capability.

No coding background required. No degree prerequisites. Just practical skills you can apply immediately in your role.

Who is it for?

The Level 4 apprenticeship is designed for:

Early to mid-career professionals who want to become their team's AI champion
People managers who need to understand AI to lead effectively in a changing workplace
Operations, HR, finance, marketing, and L&D professionals working with repetitive processes
Aspiring automation leads in manufacturing, logistics, financial services, and public sector organisations
Anyone with 2–5 years' experience in a business role looking to develop future-proof skills

It's not suitable for software developers, data scientists, or senior executives seeking a different type of programme. TESS Group also delivers AI for People Leaders L4 (with CMI Level 3) and AI for Operations Leaders L4 (with CMI Level 5) — bespoke options for specific audience needs.

What do apprentices actually learn?

The curriculum covers seven key areas:

AI Fundamentals — How AI and machine learning work in plain English. No maths degree needed. Real-world examples you recognise.
Prompt Engineering — Getting effective results from ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and other large language models. Writing clear briefs. Refining outputs.
Automation with Low-Code/No-Code Tools — Building workflows with Power Automate. Connecting systems. Reducing manual work. Simple integrations anyone can learn.
Data Analysis with AI — Using AI to extract insights from business data. Spotting trends. Supporting better decisions.
Responsible AI — Ethics, bias, governance, security, and compliance. How to use AI responsibly in your organisation.
Change Management and Adoption — How to bring AI adoption to your team and wider organisation. Overcoming resistance. Building confidence.
Practical Project Work — Applied directly to real business challenges throughout the 18 months. Not theoretical exercises — genuine problems from your workplace.

Every apprentice also earns multiple embedded industry-standard qualifications including BCS, CMI, NCFE, and Microsoft certifications.

How TESS Group delivers it

We deliver the ST1512 apprenticeship in three distinct flavours, all to the same standard but tailored to different audiences:

AI & Automation L4 (Core)

The standard practitioner route for professionals in any business function.

18 months • Multiple qualifications • £18,000 funded

AI for People Leaders L4

Tailored for leaders in HR, L&D, talent, and people functions. Includes CMI Level 3.

18 months • People-focused content • £18,000 funded

AI for Operations Leaders L4

For operations, supply chain, and senior managers. Includes CMI Level 5 for chartered progression.

18 months • Operations-focused • £18,000 funded

Our delivery model

Online first, nationwide. All programmes are delivered via Zoom and Teams with interactive workshops, breakout rooms, and collaboration. No travel required.

1:1 skills coaching throughout. Every apprentice gets dedicated coaching to support their learning and help apply skills to real work.

Open cohorts or closed cohorts. Start with learners from other organisations (open cohorts join monthly) or run a closed cohort of 10–15+ from your team with full customisation to your industry and challenges.

Hybrid options available. For closed cohorts, you can mix some face-to-face workshops with online delivery if preferred — though 1:1 coaching stays online for flexibility.

Multiple start dates. New cohorts begin every month, so you can start when you're ready.

Funding and cost

The Level 4 apprenticeship is fully funded through the Apprenticeship Levy (which becomes the Growth and Skills Levy from April 2026) at up to £18,000 per learner.

For levy-paying employers: Zero additional cost. The apprenticeship is completely funded from your levy pot.

For non-levy employers: The government covers 95% of the cost. You pay just 5% (around £900 per learner).

Important: Levy funds expire after 12 months if unused. You can't carry the balance forward, so this is genuinely a use-it-or-lose-it funding opportunity.

No requirement to hire new staff. Unlike some apprenticeships, this is specifically designed for upskilling your existing team. You don't need to recruit new people.

Why choose TESS Group?

Ofsted Good rated — Inspected and approved by Ofsted
4.9 out of 5 from 682+ learner reviews — Real feedback from real learners
Early adopters — Already delivering to BuyItDirect, DX Logistics, and other household names
27+ programmes delivered nationwide — Diverse, award-winning breadth
Bespoke delivery — We tailor around your business, your schedule, your challenges
Working with organisations including Financial Times, EDF Energy, Transport for London, Clarins, DPD, Sunbelt Rentals, and hundreds more

How to get started

The process is straightforward and we handle most of the admin:

Step 1: Identify learners in your organisation who would benefit (typically 1–10+ people to start).

Step 2: Check your apprenticeship levy balance in your Apprenticeship Service account to confirm you have budget available.

Step 3: Contact TESS Group. We'll discuss options, answer questions, confirm funding, and get paperwork moving.

That's it. We handle enrolment, setup, delivery, tracking, and completion. You focus on getting your people the skills they need.

Key question: What if we want to start with a small pilot first?

You can start with as few as 1–2 apprentices in an open cohort (joining with learners from other organisations), or gather 10–15+ for a closed cohort tailored to your team. There's no minimum requirement, but closed cohorts give you more control over timing, content, and delivery style.

Frequently asked questions

Do my employees need a technical background? +

Can I use my apprenticeship levy to fund this? +

How much time does it take away from work? +

What qualifications do apprentices get? +

Can we do a closed cohort just for our organisation? +

Start Your Team's AI Journey

Fully Funded • No Coding Required • Delivered Online • Your Schedule

The Level 4 AI & Automation Practitioner Apprenticeship can start next month. Let's talk about how to get your team ahead of the curve.

Book a Discovery Call → Get More Information

About this guide: Information accurate as of March 2026. Based on the ST1512 apprenticeship standard, Skills England framework, and TESS Group's live delivery across England. Funding details subject to government policy changes — see gov.uk for the latest levy information.

Rod Doyle

Director, TESS Group • Ofsted Good Provider • 4.9/5 from 682 Reviews

Rod leads TESS Group, one of the UK's highest-rated apprenticeship providers specialising in AI, leadership, and digital skills. With a focus on embedding practical AI capabilities across organisations, Rod works directly with employers to design apprenticeship programmes that drive measurable business outcomes. TESS Group holds Ofsted Good status and is an approved provider for BCS, CMI, NCFE, and Microsoft certifications.