AI for Leaders Level 5 Apprenticeship Unit

Lead AI adoption, strategy and governance – without needing to be technical

Built for managers, team leads and operational leaders who are responsible for how AI is being used across their team or organisation. This goes beyond using AI tools – it covers the strategy, accountability and change leadership that makes adoption actually work.

Most AI training teaches you to use it. This teaches you to lead it.

This Level 5 Apprenticeship Unit is part of the new Skills England modular framework launching April 2026. It’s designed for professionals who are leading AI adoption in their organisation – not building the tools, but making the strategic, governance and people decisions around them.

For employers: Build internal AI leadership capability without expensive consultants. Staff who can drive responsible adoption, govern risk, manage change and make strategic decisions about AI. Funded through the apprenticeship levy – we’ll guide you through the process.

For learners: Develop the strategic and governance skills to lead AI adoption confidently in your organisation. Understand risk, accountability and change management. Build the credibility to influence how your team uses AI – and demonstrate that impact.

Course content

AI Strategy & Readiness

Assessing your organisation’s AI maturity honestly
Identifying strategic AI opportunities and where to start
Building a grounded, realistic AI adoption plan
Responsible use principles and human oversight frameworks

Governance, Data & Ethics

GDPR and data accountability as they apply to AI systems
Recognising and mitigating algorithmic bias
AI assurance frameworks and internal policy development
Oversight of autonomous and agentic AI systems

Leading Change & Adoption

Managing resistance and building genuine team confidence
Designing adoption programmes that stick, not ones that fade
Workforce transition planning and role redesign
Communication and internal advocacy for AI initiatives

Stakeholder Engagement & AI Policy

Making the internal case for AI investment clearly and credibly
Presenting risk and return to senior stakeholders
Developing and implementing AI policy across a team or organisation
Cross-functional capability building and peer engagement

Continuous Improvement & Impact

Measuring AI adoption outcomes that actually matter to the business
Iterating on live implementations based on real feedback
Building internal sustainability so you’re not reliant on external support

Full KSB mapping, session plans and assessment strategy will be published ahead of the first cohort start.

Get in touch for early access.

Delivery

Online delivery with monthly group learning sessions, monthly 1:1 coaching, and monthly webinars.

Practical, challenge-based learning through live workplace projects.

Learners build a portfolio throughout, with continuous evidence tracking against Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs).

Assessment

End-point assessment (EPA) including portfolio review and professional discussion.

Apprentices build evidence continuously through applied workplace projects – AI strategy documents, governance frameworks, change plans, stakeholder presentations – demonstrating measurable improvements in leadership capability and adoption outcomes.

Already leading a team? Let us help you get more from it.

Whether you’re stepping into leadership or already running a team, this programme meets you where you are. We take time to understand your role, your organisation’s direction, and where AI fits into both – so the learning you do is shaped around what actually matters to your business, not a generic curriculum. Get in touch with our team Involve your line manager or employer We handle the paperwork Start learning and leading

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?

Apprenticeship Units sit within the government’s apprenticeship funding system. Levy-paying employers draw directly from their levy pot. For SMEs, we can secure 95-100% funding through co-investment or levy transfers. Full funding band details will be confirmed once Skills England publishes the rates – we’ll guide you through the whole process.

Who is this suitable for in our organisation?

Team managers, operations leads, HR and L&D leaders, digital transformation leads, and anyone responsible for how AI is being adopted across a team or department. They don’t need a technical background – this is a leadership and governance programme.

How does this work alongside our Level 4 AI & Automation apprentices?

Very well. Organisations running both create genuine internal capability: people who build and implement automations (Level 4) and people who lead and govern them (Level 5 AU0002). The programmes are designed to complement each other. We can talk through how to structure that for your specific team.

What's the time commitment for learners?

Apprenticeship Units are shorter and more flexible than full apprenticeships. Most learning is applied through existing workplace responsibilities rather than separate study time. Full details will be confirmed in the training plan, which we’re publishing shortly.

Can we enrol existing staff?

Yes. Apprenticeship Units are designed for existing employees as well as new hires. If you have people in leadership or operational roles who are navigating AI adoption right now, this is exactly the right programme for them.

Do you teach specific tools or platforms?

The focus is on strategic and governance skills that apply regardless of which specific AI tools your organisation uses. Where relevant, learners work with tools from their actual role – so the learning is grounded in your real technology environment rather than theoretical platforms.

FAQs for Learners

Do I need to be technical already?

No. This is a leadership and governance programme, not a technical one. You need to be working in a role where AI adoption is relevant – but you don’t need to build or code anything. If you manage people, processes or decisions, you’re ready to start.

What will I actually learn to do?

You’ll develop the skills to assess your organisation’s AI readiness, build governance frameworks, lead adoption programmes, manage risk and make strategic decisions about AI. Practical skills applied directly in your current role – not hypothetical scenarios.

What's the time commitment?

Apprenticeship Units are designed to be shorter and more flexible than traditional apprenticeships. Most of the learning happens through your existing work – you’re applying what you learn directly to real workplace challenges. Full details will be published in the training plan shortly.

What support will I get?

Monthly group coaching sessions, monthly 1:1 coaching, and access to your coach between sessions. You’ll also learn alongside a cohort of peers from different organisations – that cross-industry perspective tends to be one of the most valuable parts of the whole programme.

Is this like school or university?

Not at all. No exams, no lectures, no sitting in a classroom. Learning happens through real workplace projects with coaching support. Your evidence portfolio is built from work you’re actually doing – strategy documents, governance plans, change programmes – not academic assignments.

AI for Leaders Level 5 Apprenticeship Unit