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 Sources · Spotted something out of date?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 | Multiverse |
|---|---|---|
| Programme | AI & Automation Practitioner, Level 4 (ST1512 v2.1) | Two versions on the same standard: AI Solutions Builder, for mid-level staff building AI assistants and automations, and AI Transformation Architect, for people with GenAI experience leading organisation-wide automation |
| Length | 12 months of training, then a 3-month end-point assessment window. An 8-month fast-track is also available. | 13-month delivery |
| Teaching | A live online workshop each month with the cohort, a skills coach, and Coachy, TESS’s AI tutor, available 24/7 between sessions. | Self-paced online content, live instructor-led workshops, group coaching and 1-to-1 coaching from industry experts |
| 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 programme pages |
| End-point assessment | NQual, an Ofqual-recognised assessment organisation. Results in about five working days on average. | Assessment organisation not named on its programme pages |
| Start dates | Monthly inductions, online. Next: 26 Oct 2026. | Not published on its programme pages |
| Private cohort for your team | From six learners, with HR, marketing and finance editions, or one toolset: Copilot, Gemini or Claude. | Not described on its programme pages |
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 | Multiverse |
|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | Good overall and Good for apprenticeships (full inspection, June 2025) | Report card, inspection from February 2026: needs attention in four of five areas, inclusion at expected standard, safeguarding met |
| GOV.UK employer reviews, 2025 to 2026 | Good (15 employers) | Good (105 employers) |
| GOV.UK apprentice reviews, 2025 to 2026 | Good (21 apprentices) | Good (1,276 apprentices) |
| GOV.UK achievement rate, 2024 to 2025 | 65.6% (118 of 180) | 52.6% (3,335 of 6,340) |
| Apprentices completed since 2019 | 522 | 15,608 |
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 Multiverse. Ofsted replaced single overall grades with report cards in November 2025. Inspections since then grade five areas on a five-point scale (exceptional, strong standard, expected standard, needs attention, urgent improvement), so a report card and an earlier overall grade are not on the same scale.
Multiverse’s 2026 Ofsted report card
Ofsted inspected Multiverse Group Limited from 24 February 2026, returned on 27 April to gather more evidence, and published its report card on 21 May 2026. Its previous full inspection, in July 2021, graded it Outstanding. The report covers all of Multiverse’s apprenticeships: 14,194 apprentices on 11 standards at the time, with the largest numbers on the Level 3 data technician, Level 4 data analyst and Level 4 business analyst apprenticeships.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Safeguarding standards | Met |
| Inclusion | Expected standard |
| Leadership and governance | Needs attention |
| Achievement | Needs attention |
| Curriculum and teaching | Needs attention |
| Participation and development | Needs attention |
What Ofsted asked Multiverse to improve:
- Too many apprentices on its data and business analyst apprenticeships leave before completing. Ofsted says just under half of those who began in 2024/25 left early.
- Too many line managers do not take part in apprentices’ progress reviews, and some apprentices struggle to complete their learning in the time allowed.
- Staff workload is too high, and the impact of leaders’ improvement actions is yet to be seen.
- Adult apprentices need structured advice and guidance on their next steps.
What Ofsted found working well: coaches and instructors are skilled, effective teachers, experienced in AI and data; apprentices who complete gain substantial new skills in AI; and most apprentices who complete stay in work and gain promotion or more responsibility.
Read the full report on the Ofsted website. Multiverse’s overall achievement rate in the inspection data was 59% for 2023/24, against 61% nationally; GOV.UK now shows 52.6% for 2024 to 2025.
Where TESS is stronger
- Inspection outcome. Ofsted Good in June 2025, against needs attention in four areas at Multiverse in 2026.
- Achievement. 65.6% of TESS apprentices completed and passed in 2024 to 2025, against 52.6% at Multiverse and 65.4% nationally.
- Line managers in the loop. Ofsted asked Multiverse to make sure employers take part in progress reviews. At TESS every session is in the manager’s diary from day one, and each apprentice’s nominated manager gets Coachy Manager Mode.
- Dates and cohorts. Published monthly start dates, and private cohorts from six with HR, marketing and finance editions.
- More included. BCS, Microsoft or Google, and NCFE qualifications as standard, and end-point assessment results in about five working days.
Where Multiverse is stronger
- Scale. 15,608 apprentices completed since 2019, and 1,276 apprentice reviews on GOV.UK in 2025 to 2026.
- Two versions of the standard. Including AI Transformation Architect, for staff who already use GenAI and need to lead organisation-wide automation.
- Teaching quality. Ofsted found its coaches and instructors skilled and effective, and that most apprentices who complete gain promotion or more responsibility.
- Built for large employers. Ofsted describes its focus as existing employees in large businesses.
Which to choose
Choose TESS if
- Inspection results and achievement rates carry weight in your procurement
- You want a fixed start date and every session in the diary from day one
- You are training a team of six or more, or a function such as HR, marketing or finance
- Your line managers need help backing the apprenticeship at work
Choose Multiverse if
- You are a large employer planning many apprentices across data, AI and leadership programmes with one provider
- Your staff already use GenAI and you want the AI Transformation Architect route
- You already work with Multiverse and are content with how it is responding to Ofsted’s findings
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
What did Ofsted say about Multiverse in 2026?
Ofsted inspected Multiverse from 24 February 2026 and published its report card on 21 May 2026. Inclusion was graded expected standard; leadership and governance, achievement, curriculum and teaching, and participation and development were graded needs attention. Safeguarding standards were met. Ofsted also found that coaches are skilled teachers and that most apprentices who complete gain promotion or more responsibility.
Does Multiverse deliver the Level 4 AI & Automation Practitioner apprenticeship?
Yes. Its AI Solutions Builder and AI Transformation Architect programmes are both on the ST1512 standard, with 13-month delivery.
Is Multiverse 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.
Can we move apprentices from another provider to TESS?
Yes. Employers can change training provider through their apprenticeship service account. We assess what each apprentice has already covered and agree the remaining training from what is left of the funding band. Book an employer call and we will tell you whether a move makes sense.
Sources
- Multiverse: AI Solutions Builder
- Multiverse: AI Transformation Architect
- Ofsted: Multiverse Group Limited (report card published 21 May 2026)
- GOV.UK Find apprenticeship training: Multiverse Group 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.