Workflow automation
Build automations in Microsoft Power Automate and Make that remove repetitive work — drag-and-drop, no scripting.
No coding required · For non-technical teams
The AI apprenticeship with no coding required
Our flagship AI & Automation Practitioner Level 4 (standard ST1512) is built for non-technical professionals. No programming, no prior technical experience — your team builds real AI and automation using no-code tools like Microsoft Copilot, Power Automate, Make and Google Gemini. 100% levy-funded, Ofsted Good.
Short answer
Yes — you can do an AI apprenticeship with no coding. TESS's Level 4 AI & Automation Practitioner (ST1512) is designed for non-technical staff in HR, finance, operations, marketing and customer service. Apprentices build automations and AI workflows using no-code and low-code tools (Copilot, Power Automate, Make, Copilot Studio, Gemini) — not by writing software. It's 100% levy-funded, Ofsted Good, with an 8-month accelerated option and the Coachy AI tutor included.
690 Google reviews · 4.9/5
Ofsted Good · all headline areas
ESFA-registered · ISO 27001
72% AI Distinction rate
Who it's for
If your people are great at their jobs but have never written code, this is built for them. The whole programme assumes no technical background.
- HR & L&D — automating onboarding, screening, policy and people analytics.
- Finance & operations — reconciliation, reporting, exception detection, workflow automation.
- Marketing & customer service — content, campaign workflows, AI agents and response automation.
- Managers and team leaders who need to lead AI adoption without becoming engineers.
- Career changers and returners moving into AI from a non-technical role.
Not sure which sector fits? See the tailored versions for HR, finance, operations, marketing and customer service.
What you build — without writing code
Apprentices ship real, working builds using no-code and low-code tools. The skill is designing and governing AI workflows, not programming them.
AI assistants & agents
Create custom assistants with Microsoft Copilot Studio and Google Gemini Gems — configured, not coded.
Prompt engineering & AI tools
Get reliable, repeatable results from Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini for real work tasks.
AI ethics & governance
Apply responsible-AI, data-protection and governance practices so what you build is safe to scale.
ROI & business cases
Write defensible AI ROI cases that survive procurement and CFO scrutiny — a core module of the standard.
No-coding vs. technical AI apprenticeships — which is which
Some AI apprenticeships are for engineers. This one isn't. Here's how to tell them apart so you pick the right route for your team.
| Dimension | No-coding (AI & Automation Practitioner L4) | Technical (Data Analyst / ML Engineer) |
|---|---|---|
| Coding required | None — no-code / low-code tools | Yes — Python, SQL and more |
| Who it's for | HR, finance, ops, marketing, managers | Analysts, engineers, data roles |
| Main tools | Copilot, Power Automate, Make, Copilot Studio, Gemini | Python, SQL, ML frameworks, cloud |
| Level | Level 4 (ST1512) | Level 4–6 |
| What you build | Automations, AI assistants, governed workflows | Models, pipelines, dashboards in code |
| Funding | 100% levy-funded | Levy-funded |
| Speed | 8-month accelerated option | 15–24 months |
If your team is technical and wants the coding route, see the Data Analyst Level 4 or AI & ML Fellowship Level 6.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know how to code to do this AI apprenticeship?
No. The AI & Automation Practitioner Level 4 (ST1512) is designed for non-technical professionals. There is no coding or prior technical experience required — apprentices use no-code and low-code tools throughout.
What tools will apprentices actually use?
Microsoft Copilot, Power Automate, Make, Copilot Studio and Google Gemini, plus ChatGPT and Claude for everyday tasks. These are configured and connected — not programmed. The standard is deliberately vendor-neutral.
What if my whole team isn't technical?
That's exactly who the programme is built for. We run closed cohorts for non-technical teams in HR, finance, operations, marketing and customer service, with worked examples grounded in their day-to-day work.
Is it still a real apprenticeship without coding?
Yes — it's the full Skills England Level 4 AI & Automation Practitioner standard (ST1512), with an End-Point Assessment and up to five recognised qualifications embedded. No-code doesn't mean low-rigour.
How is it funded and how long does it take?
It's 100% levy-funded — £0 out of pocket for levy payers, and fully government-funded for non-levy SMEs. The standard runs over about 15 months, with an 8-month accelerated option available.
Upskill your non-technical team in AI — no coding needed
A 30-minute call to map your team to the no-coding AI & Automation Practitioner Level 4, with the levy maths.
Last updated: 4 June 2026