Checked 4 October 2026 against each provider’s own page, Ofsted and GOV.UK. Sources · Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will correct it.
The programme side by side
| Topic | TESS | Cambridge Spark |
|---|---|---|
| Programme | AI & Automation Practitioner, Level 4 (ST1512 v2.1) | Level 4 AI & Automation Practitioner with two pathways, chosen by the tools each learner can use: AI Productivity Specialist and AI Workflow Specialist |
| Length | 12 months of training, then a 3-month end-point assessment window. An 8-month fast-track is also available. | 14 months |
| Teaching | A live online workshop each month with the cohort, a skills coach, and Coachy, TESS’s AI tutor, available 24/7 between sessions. | Live virtual workshops, group projects and self-study on its EDUKATE.AI platform, with 1-to-1 AI mentors and success coaches |
| AI tools | No coding. Copilot, Copilot Studio and Power Automate, plus Claude, Gemini, ChatGPT, Make and Zapier. | Claude, Microsoft Copilot, OpenAI, Google Gemini and Zapier, with Power Automate and n8n for automation |
| Practice environment | Coachy Labs, for practice without touching live employer systems. | The EDUKATE.AI browser-based sandbox. Learners also need a Microsoft 365 Copilot licence or equivalent, and automation-tool access for the workflow pathway. |
| Line managers | Every session goes into the diary the day a learner says yes. Each apprentice’s nominated manager gets Coachy Manager Mode. | One 30-minute progress review every 12 weeks, and an employer dashboard showing progress |
| Extra qualifications | Three included: BCS Foundation Certificate in AI, Microsoft AI Business Professional (AB-730) or Google AI Essentials, and NCFE AI Prompt Mastery. NCFE Data Analysis and NCFE Cyber Security are optional. | None listed on its page beyond the apprenticeship |
| Start dates | Monthly inductions, online. Next: 26 Oct 2026. | Not published on its page |
Cost is the same with either provider. The funding band for this apprenticeship is £18,000. Levy payers pay from their levy. Employers who do not pay the levy pay 5% (£900) for apprentices aged 25 and over, and nothing for apprentices aged 16 to 24. How 2026 funding works.
Official ratings
| Topic | TESS | Cambridge Spark |
|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | Good overall and Good for apprenticeships (full inspection, June 2025) | Good overall and Good for apprenticeships (full inspection, February 2023) |
| GOV.UK employer reviews, 2025 to 2026 | Good (15 employers) | Good (55 employers) |
| GOV.UK apprentice reviews, 2025 to 2026 | Good (21 apprentices) | Good (124 apprentices) |
| GOV.UK achievement rate, 2024 to 2025 | 65.6% (118 of 180) | 68.6% (761 of 1,110) |
| Apprentices completed since 2019 | 522 | 2,576 |
GOV.UK figures cover every apprenticeship each provider delivers, not this one alone: the AI & Automation Practitioner standard is too new for anyone’s results. National achievement rate for 2024 to 2025: 65.4%. TESS’s own figure: 72% of its apprentices achieved a distinction at end-point assessment across all the standards it delivers (2024 to 2026). GOV.UK does not publish distinction rates, so there is no matching figure for Cambridge Spark.
Where TESS is stronger
- Start dates published. Monthly inductions; the next is 26 Oct 2026.
- Built for teams. Private cohorts from six, editions rebuilt around HR, marketing or finance work, or one toolset: Copilot, Gemini or Claude.
- More included. BCS Foundation Certificate in AI, Microsoft AB-730 or Google AI Essentials, and NCFE AI Prompt Mastery as standard.
- A quick result. End-point assessment with NQual, with results in about five working days on average.
- A more recent inspection. Ofsted Good in June 2025. Cambridge Spark’s last full inspection was in February 2023, also Good.
Where Cambridge Spark is stronger
- Achievement and reviews. A slightly higher achievement rate (68.6% against 65.6%) and more GOV.UK reviews: 55 employers and 124 apprentices.
- Platform. EDUKATE.AI gives learners 24/7 feedback, and an employer dashboard shows progress and business impact.
- A deeper technical track. Masterclasses on retrieval-augmented generation, agents and MCP, and a workflow pathway for learners with automation access.
- Employer commitments stated up front. The licence and mandate a learner needs, a 30-minute review every 12 weeks, and compliance and funding admin handled for you.
- Early results published. Hours saved by a recent cohort in its first six weeks.
Which to choose
Choose TESS if
- You want a fixed start date this quarter
- You are training a team of six or more, or a function such as HR, marketing or finance
- You want extra qualifications included
- Your line managers need help backing the apprenticeship at work
Choose Cambridge Spark if
- Your learners have automation-tool access and you want a technical, agent-building track
- An employer dashboard showing progress and impact matters to you
- Achievement rate and review volume are your main tests
Questions to ask both providers
- When are your next start dates, and when do we need to commit?
- Which end-point assessment organisation do you use, and how long do results take?
- Which extra qualifications are included, and who pays the exam fees?
- What do you ask of line managers, and what do you give them to help?
- What are your GOV.UK achievement rate and review scores this year?
- Can you run a private cohort for our team, and from how many people?
Book a 30-minute employer call
We will check eligibility and funding, show you the next start dates, and say so plainly if another provider is the better fit.
Book an employer callFrequently asked questions
Do TESS and Cambridge Spark deliver the same apprenticeship?
Yes. Both deliver the Level 4 AI and Automation Practitioner standard (ST1512). Cambridge Spark offers it as two pathways, depending on the tools each learner can use. The standard and the funding band are the same; the teaching, timetable, extras and support differ.
Is Cambridge Spark cheaper than TESS?
No. The funding band for this apprenticeship is £18,000 with either provider. Levy payers pay from their levy. Employers who do not pay the levy pay 5% (£900) for apprentices aged 25 and over, and nothing for apprentices aged 16 to 24. What differs is the teaching, the timetable, what is included and the support around it.
How do Cambridge Spark’s and TESS’s Ofsted results compare?
Both were graded Good overall and Good for apprenticeships. TESS’s inspection was in June 2025 and Cambridge Spark’s in February 2023.
Can we use Cambridge Spark and TESS together?
Yes. Each apprentice has one main provider, but an employer can use different providers for different people or programmes, for example Cambridge Spark for a technical automation team and TESS for business teams such as HR, marketing and finance.
Sources
- Cambridge Spark: Level 4 AI & Automation Practitioner (organisations)
- Ofsted: Cambridge Spark Limited
- GOV.UK Find apprenticeship training: Cambridge Spark Limited
- Ofsted: The Tess Group
- GOV.UK Find apprenticeship training: Training Event Safety Solutions Ltd (TESS)
- GOV.UK: training providers for the AI and automation practitioner (level 4)
- TESS: AI & Automation Practitioner Level 4
All checked on 4 October 2026. Providers change their programmes, so confirm the latest with each provider before you sign.