⚠️ This apprenticeship standard is being withdrawn from September 2026. New starts can still be enrolled until 17 December 2026, after which no new funded starts will be possible. Existing learners on programme will continue to be levy-funded to completion.

Looking for a funded alternative? See our AI for People Leaders L4 - includes CMI Level 3 Team Leader qualification. • Read more about defunding changes

This Standard Is Being Defunded

Looking for the AI-Powered Replacement?

The Data-Driven Team Leader L3 combines leadership skills with data literacy and AI tools. Three qualifications included, CMI Level 3, BCS, and NCFE. 100% levy-funded with monthly starts.

View the AI-Powered Programme

Team Leader Level 3

Master team development while developing high-performing teams. The only ST1512 programme combining AI expertise with CMI leadership qualifications.

15-18
Months (Plus EPA)
£5K
100% Levy Funded
4
Portable Qualifications
14
Integrated Modules

🎯 You'll Earn

CMI Level 3 Management & Leadership + NCFE Data + AI Prompt Mastery + Microsoft AB-730

Why This Matters

72% of UK businesses say AI skills are their #1 hiring priority. Leaders who understand team development 3x faster implement change.

AI Native Leadership Ready Future-Proof
What is the Team Leader Level 3 apprenticeship? The Team Leader Level 3 apprenticeship develops first-line managers in delegation, communication, performance management, and team leadership. Includes CMI qualifications, fully levy-funded. Note: this standard is being defunded - consider the Data-Driven Team Leader as a replacement.
🎓
CMI
Chartered Level 3
💰
£0
Out-of-Pocket Cost

Why Team Leadership Is the Biggest Opportunity in L&D

AI is transforming every workplace. But tools alone don't drive change - leaders do. This programme builds both.

The Gap No One Else Is Filling

AI Without Leadership Fails

70% of AI initiatives stall - not because the technology doesn't work, but because teams aren't coached through adoption. Leaders are the missing piece.

First-Line Leaders Are the Key

Your team leaders are closest to the work. When they understand AI, they spot opportunities, coach their teams, and turn resistance into momentum.

AI + Leadership = Compounding Returns

Leaders who understand both AI and people development don't just adopt tools - they build AI-confident teams that continuously improve. The impact multiplies.

What AI-Literate Leaders Deliver
Faster Tool Adoption
3x faster
Team Confidence in AI
78%
Reduction in Change Resistance
65%
Time Saved on Routine Tasks
20+ hrs/wk

Based on outcomes from AI-enabled leadership programmes across UK employers

Built for People Leaders

Whether you're managing your first team or leading across divisions, this programme fits your role.

👔

Team Leaders

Lead frontline teams through team development with confidence and psychological safety.

⏰

Shift Managers

Implement AI tools across rotating shifts while building team engagement.

📊

Section Leaders

Drive data-informed decisions and coach teams on using AI insights.

📋

Project Coordinators

Lead cross-functional AI pilots and manage change at team level.

🌱

Aspiring First-Line Managers

Get the exact leadership toolkit before you step up into your first management role.

💬

Team Coaches

Coach others through team development using frameworks like GROW and OSKAR.

Your CMI Level 3 Qualifications

Recognised qualifications you own forever, across any organisation.

🏛️

CMI Level 3

Chartered Management Institute
Principles of Management & Leadership. Covers leadership styles, workplace communication, developing individuals, managing teams through change, and resolving conflict. Mapped to CMI 301, 303, 304, 307, 309 & 310.
Level 3
📊

NCFE Level 3

Certificate in Data
Data fundamentals, interpretation, and use. Learn to spot trends, communicate findings, and make data-informed decisions without being a data scientist.
Level 3
🤖

NCFE Level 3 CQ

AI Prompt Mastery (TESS Bespoke)
Master ChatGPT, Copilot, and other AI tools. Learn prompt engineering, quality control, ethical use, and how to teach your team to use AI effectively.
Level 3
💻

Microsoft AB-730

AI Business Professional
Microsoft's globally recognised credential. Understand AI strategy, implementation, and business impact. Copilot in practice across Microsoft tools.
Professional

Your 4-Phase Journey

Leadership and AI woven throughout - not siloed. 14 modules across 15–18 months.

The difference: Every phase interweaves AI modules with CMI Level 3 leadership development. When you learn AI tools, you also learn to communicate and lead effectively. When you pilot automation, you're developing your team through the change. Leadership from month one - not bolted on at the end.

1

Foundations & Team Leadership

Months 1–3
LEADERSHIP
M1
AI Ethics & Values
Bias, fairness, responsible AI, and why it matters to your team's trust.
LEADERSHIP
M2
Governance, Law & GDPR
Legal frameworks, data protection, compliance, and your leadership responsibility.
LEADERSHIP
M3
Leadership Styles & Communication
Understand leadership styles (action-centred, situational, transformational). Master workplace communication - presenting, influencing, adapting your style to different audiences. CMI 301 & 304.
2

Tools, Data & Coaching

Months 4–7
LEADERSHIP
M4
Spotting Waste & Inefficiency
Lean thinking, process mapping, and where AI can add value - fast.
LEADERSHIP
M5
No-Code Automation Tools
Zapier, Power Automate, Make. Hands-on practice. Teach your team.
LEADERSHIP
M6
Building for People
Human-centred AI design. Change management thinking. Empathy in team development.
LEADERSHIP
M7
Developing Individuals & Managing Your Team
Coach team members through team development. Identify development needs, give effective feedback, and build a team culture where people grow alongside new tools. CMI 303 & 307.
3

Advanced AI & Leading Through Change

Months 8–11
LEADERSHIP
M8
Performance Management Fundamentals
KPIs, team metrics, performance tracking, storytelling with data. NCFE Data Cert.
LEADERSHIP
M9
Managing Change in Teams
How to develop team members, skills, structures. Leading people through transition.
LEADERSHIP
M10
Emotional Intelligence & Self-Awareness
Conflict resolution, difficult conversations, data leaks, governance, your role in risk management.
LEADERSHIP
M11
Delegation and Empowerment & Resolving Conflict
Lead your team through AI-driven workplace change. Handle resistance, manage conflict constructively, and build resilience. CMI 310 & 309.
4

Mastery & Application

Months 12–14
LEADERSHIP
M12
Agile Testing & Piloting
Run AI pilots in your team. MVP thinking, iterate, gather feedback, scale.
LEADERSHIP
M13
Winning AI Support & Buy-In
Stakeholder management, business cases, selling AI internally to skeptics.
LEADERSHIP
M14
Microsoft Copilot in Practice
Hands-on with Copilot across Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook. AB-730 prep & final project.

Months 15–18

Project, Presentation, Professional Discussion & EPA

Independent assessment by 1st for Awarding. Graded Pass or Distinction across applied knowledge, skills, and communication.

Employer ROI: Leadership Development

Why invest in team leader development? Because strong leadership directly impacts team performance, retention and organisational success.

⚡
3x
Faster tool adoption when teams are led by AI-literate managers
📈
40%
Reduction in staff turnover when leaders coach through change
💼
£5K
In levy funding = £0 out-of-pocket cost to your business
🎓
4
Portable qualifications your employee takes with them (and you benefit from now)
How Teams Perform: With vs Without AI-Literate Leadership
Tool adoption success rate
75%
Staff engagement with AI
60%
Productivity lift (first 6 months)
85%

What You Get With TESS vs a Typical AI Apprenticeship Provider

Feature Typical AI Provider AI for People Leaders (TESS)
Leadership Qualification ✗ None included ✓ CMI Level 3 Management & Leadership
Total Qualifications ✗ 0–1 ✓ 4 (CMI + NCFE Data + Prompt Mastery + Microsoft)
People & Coaching Focus ✗ Tech-focused, not people-focused ✓ Leadership styles, communication, developing individuals, change management
Data Skills Varies - often theoretical ✓ NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Data
Copilot & Prompt Engineering ✗ Rarely included ✓ NCFE Prompt Mastery + Microsoft AB-730
Coaching Frameworks ✗ Not included ✓ GROW, OSKAR, psychological safety
Levy Funding £5,000 £5,000 - same funding, far more value
Designed For Generic / technical roles ✓ People leaders managing teams
🏆

Industry-Leading

Only ST1512 combining AI + CMI + Microsoft

🎯

Role-Focused

Designed for people managers, not generic learners

📊

ROI-Proven

3x tool adoption with AI-literate leaders

What Makes This Different

✓

Integrated, Not Bolted-On

CMI L3 leadership modules woven throughout AI content - not tacked on at the end. You learn communication and leadership styles first, then develop people and manage change alongside the tools.

✓

CMI + Microsoft + NCFE

Other providers deliver AI training. None bundle the CMI leadership qualification + Microsoft credential + NCFE data cert. TESS does.

✓

4 Credentials Your Employee Keeps Forever

Move jobs, move countries, move sectors - these qualifications travel with them. They're your investment in people, not your company.

✓

Built for the AI Adoption Problem

Other providers teach AI. TESS teaches leaders how to help teams adopt AI. That's why adoption succeeds, staff stay, and ROI compounds.

Trusted Partners & Awarding Bodies

Qualifications delivered and assessed by the industry's leading bodies.

How You're Assessed

Your apprentice demonstrates competence in their workplace role through a rigorous, independent assessment.

1

Project (Mandatory)

Apprentice completes a workplace AI & automation project demonstrating applied knowledge, skills, and real business impact.

2

Professional Discussion

Structured discussion with an independent assessor exploring the apprentice's competence across all assessment outcomes.

3

Presentation

Apprentice presents their project outcomes, demonstrating communication, stakeholder engagement, and strategic thinking.

✓

Graded: Pass or Distinction

Independently assessed by 1st for Awarding (EPAO) across applied knowledge, applied skills, regulatory awareness, and communication.

Your EPA Timeline
1–4
Month 12–14: EPA Prep

Workplace project scoped. TESS guides preparation, evidence gathering begins.

2–5
Month 15–16: Project & Portfolio

Apprentice completes AI project in their workplace. Portfolio of evidence compiled.

3–6
Month 17: Assessment

Project assessed, presentation delivered, professional discussion with independent assessor.

4–7
Month 18: Results

Graded Pass or Distinction. All qualifications awarded. Apprenticeship complete.

My team didn't just learn AI - they got excited about it. The coaching frameworks helped me explain why change was happening, and our people stayed engaged through the whole adoption. That's where the real ROI is.
👩‍💼
TESS Apprentice
Manufacturing Sector (TESS Apprentice)

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the programme.

Who is this programme for?

▼
Team leaders, shift managers, section leads, project coordinators, aspiring first-line managers, and team coaches. Anyone who manages or coaches people and needs to lead them through team development. This is NOT for individual contributors - it's for people in leadership roles.

Do I need AI experience?

▼
No. We start from the fundamentals: what is AI, why it matters, ethics. You'll learn alongside your team. The programme assumes no prior technical knowledge - it builds from first principles and is designed for leaders, not data scientists.

What does it cost my company?

▼
£0 out-of-pocket. The £5,000 cost is covered by your payroll levy. If you don't have a levy account or have unused balance, TESS can help you access it. Apprentices over 19 at start of apprenticeship cost 5% shared (£250). The government funds 95%.

How long is the programme?

▼
15–18 months, including EPA (End-Point Assessment). The first 14–15 months cover the 14 modules. Months 15–18 focus on the workplace project, portfolio, and independent assessment. Pace adapts to your apprentice's progress.

Can your team help manage the apprenticeship?

▼
Yes. TESS handles recruitment, training delivery, EPA coordination with 1st for Awarding, and progress tracking. You manage the apprentice's day job and provide a mentor. We'll guide you on all apprenticeship compliance and reporting.

Ready to Develop Your Leadership Skills?

Ready to advance your team leadership career? Let's discuss how this programme can transform your capability and impact.

View AI-Powered Alternative