Applied AI & Automation Apprenticeship

The programme aims to democratise AI capability by training both new and existing talent to identify automation opportunities, implement AI-enabled workflows, and improve productivity across teams. Apprentices build the knowledge, skills, and behaviours to work through the full lifecycle of an AI or automation solution, from spotting the opportunity, to building, deploying, and evaluating it.

It is a Level 4 apprenticeship (equivalent to a foundation degree), against the Artificial Intelligence and Automation Practitioner standard. The programme runs for 18 months, with a final assessment period at the end.

Both. The programme works equally well for upskilling existing staff who are already in relevant roles, and for new junior hires brought in specifically to build AI and automation capability. Many employers run a mix of both within the same cohort.

The core test is simple: will the role allow the apprentice to see a problem and then build a solution using AI and/or automation to fix it? A suitable role should let the apprentice map workflows, access low-code/no-code tools (Power Automate, Zapier, Make), work with AI tools such as LLMs and custom GPTs, handle data responsibly, interact with multiple teams, and present evidence-based solutions to managers.

Operational Efficiency (reducing manual work), In-House AI Capability (deploying AI tools safely), Strategic Insight (developing prototypes and business cases), and Real Business Value (a workplace project with measurable impact).

Employers provide a dedicated line manager or technical mentor, access to necessary tools and resources, meaningful work (automation projects, data access, team involvement), and active participation in the apprentice’s progress reviews and final sign-off.

Levy-paying employers (payroll over £3m): training is fully funded through your existing levy, your only cost is the apprentice’s salary. Non-levy employers: the government covers 95% of training costs; you pay just 5%, in instalments. Ada also supports recruitment at no additional cost.

Projects should focus on using AI or automation to solve real business problems — automating manual data entry or report generation, connecting disparate tools into seamless workflows, or deploying AI tools to accelerate team delivery. Projects should be non-routine, multi-step, and result in a measurable ‘before and after’ change.

A good project is a meaty business problem where the apprentice can demonstrate the full lifecycle of an automation solution. It should be non-routine, involve multiple steps, result in a clear measurable improvement, require stakeholder engagement, involve data handling or AI application, and include governance, risk assessment, and documentation. Avoid tasks that are too narrow (‘clean a single Excel sheet’), too technical (‘write 500 lines of Python’), or too passive (‘watch a developer build something’).

The apprenticeship is 80% workplace learning / 20% off-the-job training. In practice this means approximately ½ day per week of structured learning (remote), plus one full week in-person at Ada per project phase. Total: 6–7 full-time learning weeks across the 18 months. Minimum 420 learning hours.

Ada has cutting-edge campuses in London and Manchester. In-person ‘Ada Lab’ weeks are held on campus. Weekly learning is delivered remotely. Ada can also deliver closed employer cohorts across England.

The final assessment approach is being finalised with Ada’s selected assessment organisation. It will include a capstone project in which the apprentice independently scopes, designs, and delivers an end-to-end AI or automation solution, demonstrating strategic thinking and producing professional-grade documentation.

Ada works with leading organisations including ClearScore, Bank of America, HSBC, Booking.com, Bloomberg, PwC, Deloitte, Legal & General, Royal London, AutoTrader, Just Eat, Siemens, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Channel 4, British Council, Accurx, and many more.