Level 5 Apprenticeship Unit
AI Leadership - AI Strategy and Opportunity - Level 5 Apprenticeship Unit
A short apprenticeship unit for employed leaders aged 19 and over with employer support. Build the confidence to identify AI opportunities, define strategic direction, assess risk, and engage stakeholders responsibly.
This is an apprenticeship unit
AI Leadership Apprenticeship Unit
This Level 5 apprenticeship unit is a short, focused training route for employed leaders who need to understand where AI can create value and how to set direction responsibly.
It is different from a full apprenticeship. Apprenticeship units are designed for rapid upskilling in a specific skill area and must be supported by your employer.
Who This Unit Is For
This unit is for people in leadership roles who help set direction, governance, or oversight for AI use.
It is especially relevant if your organisation is at an early or exploratory stage of AI adoption and needs to identify realistic opportunities before committing to larger projects.
What You Will Learn
You will develop practical leadership skills in:
- Setting AI policy and strategy
- Evaluating opportunities for AI-driven improvement
- Defining AI strategy aligned to organisational goals and risk appetite
- Assessing viability and risk through use cases and pilots
- Engaging technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Monitoring emerging AI trends and adapting plans
Eligibility
To join this apprenticeship unit, you must be employed, aged 19 or over, and supported by your employer.
You should also be working in a leadership position with enough autonomy to inform investment decisions or deliver technological change.
Funding and Delivery
This unit has a minimum of 30 delivery hours and maximum funding of GBP750.
The unit is based on knowledge and skills from employer-led occupational standards. As a minimum, learners complete a provider-delivered skills test, with the employer validating the result.
Next Step
If you are interested in this unit, speak to your employer first. You can also contact our team to discuss whether this is the right AI leadership route for your role.
Official reference: Skills England AU0009.
Career Outcomes
- ✓Learn while you earn
- ✓No student debt
- ✓Real work experience
- ✓Professional mentorship
- ✓Industry-recognised qualifications
Entry Requirements
- Be aged 16 or over
- Have the right to work in the UK
- Be employed in a genuine job (not in full-time education)
- Commit to a programme lasting a minimum of 12 months, including 20% off-the-job training
- Hold, or be willing to achieve during the apprenticeship, Level 2 English and Maths
- Employed and aged 19 or over
- Employer support required
- Leadership role with autonomy to deliver technological change and inform investment decisions
Government Requirements Information
In practice the government applies one identical eligibility checklist to every apprenticeship, whether it sits at Level 3 or Level 4. The first 5 items above are the only requirements written into the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) funding rules and GOV UK guidance.
GCSEs, A-levels or other academic grades are not mandated by law and can be added (or waived) by individual employers and providers. A policy change will shorten the minimum programme length from 12 months to 8 months for new starts on or after 1 August 2025.