AI & Automation Level 4 Apprenticeship

Identify, implement and manage responsible AI and automation projects without coding

A 12-month, government-funded apprenticeship that builds internal AI champions: people who can spot automation opportunities, build no-code solutions, assess risk and lead adoption across the business. Funded through the Growth and Skills Levy for most employers.

The Level 4 AI and Automation Apprenticeship is a 12-18-month programme for non-technical professionals who want to apply AI and automation in their organisation – safely, ethically and with measurable results. Learners work on real workplace projects throughout, building a portfolio against the Skills England standard (ST1512), and finish with a nationally recognised qualification.

We didn’t just adopt this standard – we led the R&D behind it. Working with Skills England and the Alan Turing Institute, we researched what high-growth SMEs actually need from AI: their ambitions, their barriers, and the skills gaps holding them back. Then we helped design the qualification to match. It’s the only apprenticeship standard of its kind in the UK, built backwards from business need, not forwards from a syllabus.

For employers: immediate return from applied automation, staff who can drive AI adoption safely, and less reliance on consultants and contractors – funded through the Growth and Skills Levy, with 95–100% funding available for SMEs.

For learners: practical AI and automation skills without coding, confidence with no-code tools and agentic AI, and a portfolio of real workplace improvements you can point to.

Application → Training → Live Projects → Assessment → Qualified AI & Automation Specialist

Course content

Foundations of AI & Automation

What AI tools can and can’t do, and how to use them effectively at work
Prompt engineering and building a reusable prompt library
Security, privacy and data governance from day one

Data & Process

Cleaning and understanding business data
Process mapping, bottleneck analysis and prioritising improvements
Deciding where automation delivers the greatest return

Workflow Automation

Building and deploying no-code automations (Zapier, Make, Power Automate)
Conditional logic, error handling and robust, testable workflows
Integrating AI into existing systems

Governance, Ethics & Agentic AI

Evaluating and supervising agentic AI systems
Algorithmic impact assessment and bias mitigation
Human oversight of systems that act autonomously

Change & Communication

Presenting technical work to non-technical stakeholders
Developing internal AI policy and strategy
Supporting workforce change and training others

Project & Assessment

Continuous workplace improvement projects
Portfolio development against 64 Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
Project showcase and end-point assessment preparation

Delivery

Online delivery over 12 – 18 months to gateway, followed by the end-point assessment window. Monthly group sessions, monthly group coaching, and monthly one-to-one coaching, all delivered by industry practitioners – people who do this work, not just teach it. Learning is applied to live workplace projects throughout, with progress tracked continuously against the standard. Trimonthly three-way reviews keep the apprentice, employer and coach aligned.

Assessment

End-point assessment including portfolio review and professional discussion. Evidence builds continuously through applied workplace projects – automations, process maps, governance records, policy documents – so there’s no last-minute scramble, and the business sees the value long before the qualification lands.

Want to Become an Apprentice?

Apply online. Join our talent pool. Get matched with real employers. Earn while you learn.

I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship. The apprenticeship helps you gain both theoretical and practical knowledge.

Joanna Sipowicz

Test Analyst

The Coders Guild are adept at putting together course content that’s relevant to business in today’s market, with practical tools & skills that can be implemented from day one.

Liz Leith

Service Design & Delivery Manager

I’d like to say that my apprenticeship experience with The Coders Guild and Dedalus has been outstanding so far. The support, structured learning, and opportunities for growth have exceeded my expectations.

Anna Trubnikova

Software Developer Apprentice

FAQs for Employers

How does the funding work?

Through the government’s Growth and Skills Levy. If you’re a levy-paying organisation, training comes from your levy pot. If you’re an SME, we can secure 95–100% funding through co-investment or levy transfers. We handle the process end to end – most employers pay little or nothing for the training itself.

Is the training aligned to our business needs?

Yes. Every apprenticeship is built around the apprentice’s real job. We collaborate with you to shape project work and tasks that directly support your team’s priorities, goals, and systems.

Do you teach specific tools or platforms?

We’re platform-agnostic and industry-led. That means we teach the principles, methods, and skills that matter – and adapt them to the tools, tech stack, and workflows your team uses. Whether it’s Zapier, Make, Power Automate, or other no-code platforms, we meet you where you are.

What kind of support do we get?

From onboarding to endpoint assessment, you’ll have access to our support team, technical coaches, and account managers. We handle compliance and reporting, keep you in the loop on progress, and are always here if anything’s not working.

Can we enrol existing staff?

Definitely. Apprenticeships are ideal for upskilling or reskilling current employees. It’s a practical way to retain talent, deepen expertise, and build internal capability in a cost-effective way.

How will we know it's working?

You’ll see the impact in-role. Apprentices bring their learning straight into the day job. We also check in with managers, gather regular feedback, and provide reporting so you can see development over time.

Who is this apprenticeship suitable for in our team?

Operations or office management, HR, finance or service delivery, project coordination or PMO, customer support or admin automation, digital transformation or innovation support – anyone who wants to improve workflows without coding.

How does this reduce our reliance on consultants?

Your apprentice learns to identify automation opportunities, build solutions using no-code tools, assess risks, apply governance frameworks, and manage change – building lasting internal capability for AI adoption without needing external contractors.

Do they need to be technical already?

No. This programme is specifically designed for non-technical professionals. If they understand business processes and can think logically about workflows, they’ll be able to build practical AI and automation solutions.

Then start smaller. AI Foundations gets a team to a shared baseline in three sessions. AI for Leaders is built for the person making the decisions rather than doing the building. And the AI Maturity Report gives you a structured view of where your business actually stands. All of them route naturally into the apprenticeship when you're ready.

FAQs for Learners

Do I need to be technical already?

No. This apprenticeship is designed for non-technical professionals. You’ll learn practical automation and AI skills without needing to code. If you understand business processes and can think logically, you’re ready to start.

Will I learn tools I actually use at work?

Yes. Our training adapts to your workplace. We focus on concepts and skills that apply across tools, and we’ll work with your employer to match your learning tasks to the systems and platforms you use day-to-day.

What's the time commitment?

You’ll spend 6 hours a week on off-the-job learning – things like workshops, mentoring, group projects, and self-study. It all fits around your work schedule, and we help you manage it in a sustainable way.

What support will I get?

You’ll have access to tutors, technical coaches, and peer groups throughout the apprenticeship. We’re here to answer questions, troubleshoot challenges, and celebrate your wins. Plus, you’ll check in regularly with your line manager.

Is this like school or university?

Nope. This is workplace-first, challenge-based learning. You won’t be stuck in lectures. You’ll learn by doing, solving real problems, working with peers, and applying everything in context.

What happens at the end?

You’ll complete an end-point assessment and, if you pass, gain a nationally recognised qualification. Most apprentices continue in their role, take on more responsibility, or move up into a more advanced position.

Will I get paid?

Yes. This is a full-time employed role with a salary. You earn while you learn and deliver real automation projects from day one.

How long does the apprenticeship take?

12-18 months, with monthly group sessions, 1:1 coaching, and webinars supporting continuous workplace projects.

What will I actually build?

You’ll map and improve workflows, build automations using no-code tools, create governance policies, design AI assurance frameworks, and lead change management initiatives – all applied to real workplace challenges.

What is the Level 4 AI and Automation apprenticeship?

A 12 -18-month, government-funded programme that qualifies you as an AI and Automation Practitioner against the Skills England standard. You learn to apply AI tools, automate workflows and govern AI use responsibly – all through real projects in your actual job, with no coding background needed.

AI & Automation Level 4 Apprenticeship