The UK government has introduced new Level 5 AI Leadership apprenticeship units designed to help employers rapidly upskill staff in AI strategy, governance, adoption and organisational transformation.

These short-form training programmes are part of the wider Growth and Skills Levy reforms and became approved for delivery in April 2026.

There are currently three approved AI Leadership apprenticeship units:

• AI Strategy and Opportunity (AU0009)

• AI Adoption, Procurement and Governance (AU0010)

• AI Delivery and Organisational Transformation (AU0011)

Each focuses on a different stage of AI implementation within organisations.

The Growth and Skills Levy is the UK government’s replacement for the traditional Apprenticeship Levy.

It gives you more flexibility to fund shorter, targeted training programmes in high-demand sectors including AI, digital skills and engineering.

Yes. Employers can use Growth and Skills Levy funds to pay for approved AI Leadership apprenticeship units.

Levy-paying employers can draw funding directly from their levy account, while eligible non-levy employers may receive full government funding.

A breakdown on this is available below:

• Levy Employer: fully funded directly from your digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account, subject to available funds.

• Levy Employer with insufficient funds / Co-Investment: 95% is funded by government co-investment; the Employer agrees to pay a mandatory 5% cash contribution.

• Non-Levy Employer: fully funded using your reservation made on the apprenticeship service.

Each AI Leadership unit currently carries a maximum funding band of £750.

Employers can enrol staff onto one unit, or stack multiple units together depending on business needs.

In many cases, yes. SMEs and non-levy employers may qualify for 100% government funding for eligible employees aged 19 and over.

Levy-paying employers typically fund the training through their Growth and Skills Levy account.

These AI leadership courses are designed for managers, department heads, digital leaders and senior decision-makers responsible for AI strategy, implementation, procurement or organisational change.

They're particularly relevant for employers beginning AI adoption or scaling existing AI initiatives.

Most AI apprenticeship units are designed as short, flexible programmes lasting between 1 and 16 weeks.

The AI Leadership apprenticeship units require a minimum of 30 guided learning hours.

 No. Apprenticeship units are shorter and more flexible than traditional apprenticeships.

They focus on targeted skills development without the long-term commitment of a 12–24 month programme.

AI Leadership apprenticeship units can help employers:

• Build internal AI capability
• Improve productivity through AI adoption
• Strengthen AI governance and compliance
• Reduce risk around AI procurement
• Upskill existing managers and leadership teams
• Accelerate digital transformation initiatives

The government has identified AI skills as critical to future UK productivity and economic growth.

No. Unlike traditional apprenticeships, apprenticeship units do not currently require a formal end-point assessment.

Assessment is typically completed by us as the training provider and validated by you as the employer.