For mid-tier operations leaders

AI Leadership Apprenticeship for Operations Leaders

Page overview

Master AI-driven automation, data intelligence, and change management to transform operations, cut costs, and lead your team through digital transformation. Delivered nationwide across England via live online sessions.

Delivered nationwide across England - live online sessions via Zoom & Teams, with face-to-face available for closed cohorts

15-18
Months (Plus EPA)
£18K
100% Levy Funded
3
Portable Qualifications
15
Integrated Modules

You'll Earn

5 Industry Credentials:

CMI Level 5 Award in Management & Leadership
NCFE Level 3 AI Prompt Mastery
💼 Microsoft AB-730 AI Business Professional
Portable STACKABLE Recognised
What is the AI for Operations Leaders apprenticeship? The AI for Operations Leaders Level 4 apprenticeship teaches operations and departmental managers to use AI for process automation, supply chain optimisation, and data-driven decision making. Includes CMI Level 5 + AI qualifications. levy-funded at £18,000 via the Levy. Delivered by TESS Group.
4.9/5 from 689 Reviews Ofsted Good Provider One of Only 37 Approved AI Providers 72% Distinction Rate Microsoft AI certifications included 95% Employer Satisfaction Call 01604 210 500
Monthly cohort starts · Limited places Reserve Your Place →

Watch: AI Built for the People Who Run Things

See how operations leaders are using live workshops and hands-on AI training to transform the way their teams work.

📦
77%
Faster Workflow Cycles
35%
Forecast Accuracy Gain
15%
Cost Reduction Potential
20%
Productivity Increase

Why AI + Operations Leadership Is the Competitive Edge

The Operations Transformation

1

Understand AI's Real Impact on Operations

Learn where AI delivers ROI: supply chain optimisation, demand forecasting, predictive maintenance, quality control automation. Not buzzwords - concrete operational wins.

2

Lead Teams Through Digital Transformation

Master change management, conflict resolution, and stakeholder buy-in. Your team needs to believe in AI adoption - this programme teaches you how to lead that conversation.

3

Drive Real Business Outcomes

By the end, you'll deliver a workplace AI project proving the value. Your apprentice emerges with a portfolio showing impact - cost savings, efficiency gains, risk reduction.

AI-Ready Operations Leaders Deliver
Faster Process Optimisation
77% improvement
Team Confidence in Automation
60%+ adoption
Cost Savings Realized
15-35% potential

Built for Leaders Who Run Things

Designed for any leader between experienced first-line and new senior — whatever your job title, if you lead people and deliver outcomes, this fits.

Who is this actually for?

Three leadership levels — one programme. Whether you’ve just stepped up from running a shift, you’re running a function in the middle of the org chart, or you’ve just been promoted into your first senior role, the curriculum flexes to where you are.

Stepping up

Experienced first-line leaders

Team leaders, shift leaders, supervisors who’ve been running people and want to step into broader operational leadership. AI fluency now part of the step-up.

★ Core audience

Middle managers

The heart of every operation — managers of managers, heads of function, operations leaders. The people being asked to lead the AI transition right now.

This is who the programme is designed around
Just promoted

New senior leaders

Newly into Head of, Director, or senior leadership roles. Building the strategic muscle — with AI fluency built in from day one.

In every case, your job title matters less than what you actually do. If you lead people and deliver outcomes, the programme fits. Below are the kinds of roles our learners typically come from — not a checklist.

🏛️

Head of Service / Department Lead

Councils, NHS trusts, housing associations - use AI to streamline service delivery, reduce backlogs, and make better use of public resources.

Operations Manager

Across any sector - automate workflows, improve scheduling, and use data to drive performance and hit KPIs consistently.

💼

Business / Commercial Manager

Private sector leaders - use AI for forecasting, customer insights, supply chain efficiency, and competitive advantage.

🏥

Service Delivery Manager

Health, care, and community services - improve outcomes through AI-assisted triage, capacity planning, and performance monitoring.

3 Portable Qualifications

Industry-recognised credentials that stick with your apprentice beyond the role. Each qualification builds expertise across AI, leadership, and business acumen.

CMI Level 5 Award in Management & Leadership

Chartered Management Institute
The gold standard for management credibility. Covers a focused unit: 514 – Managing Change – the most natural companion to an AI programme, addressing how to introduce AI into teams and operations. Embedded throughout the 15 modules.
Level 5

NCFE Level 3 CQ in AI Prompt Mastery

National Curriculum for Education
Get hands-on with generative AI. Learn to craft effective prompts, integrate AI tools into operations workflows, and maximise productivity through intelligent automation.
Level 3
💼

Microsoft AB-730 AI Business Professional

Industry-Recognised Badge
Microsoft's credential for business leaders using AI strategically. Demonstrates proficiency in Copilot, generative AI tools, and enterprise AI adoption frameworks.
Professional

15-Module Learning Pathway

Structured around real operations challenges. Each module blends AI skills with leadership competencies, ensuring your apprentice emerges ready to lead transformation.

1

Foundations & Ops Strategy (Months 1–3)

3 modules • AI foundations + operational context
Foundation
M1
AI Ethics & Values
Build the business case for ethical AI adoption. Manage reputational risk, improve staff morale, and create trust across your organisation.
Governance
M2
Governance, Law & GDPR
Navigate legal frameworks for automation, including employment rights, equality legislation, and data protection requirements with confidence.
Leadership
M3
Strategic Planning & Decision Making
Make defensible AI investment decisions and build the operational roadmap. Prioritise use cases by ROI, model trade-offs, and lead with data — not hype. The strategic framework that sets the direction for every AI move in your operations.
2

Tools, Data & Team Development (Months 4–7)

4 modules • Practical skills + leadership development
Foundation
M4
Spotting Waste & Inefficiency
Map workflows, uncover hidden waste, and identify the highest-impact opportunities for AI and automation to transform outcomes.
Technical
M5
No-Code Automation Tools
Hands-on with low-code and no-code platforms. Select, configure, and deploy automation software - no programming skills needed.
Foundation
M6
Building for People
“Augmentation, not Replacement.” Design AI systems that enhance human capabilities without creating disruption. Make technology a true ally.
Leadership
M7
Leading & Developing High-Performing Teams
Performance management, coaching capability, and building team confidence through AI-driven transformation. Develop people alongside technology.
3

Advanced AI & Leading Change (Months 8–11)

4 modules • Data, risk + CMI 514 Managing Change
Data & Analytics
M8
Data-Driven Decision Making
Use AI to analyse complex data and generate actionable insights. Make smarter, evidence-based decisions at every level.
Change
M9
Change Management & AI Impact
Lead colleagues through automation-driven change with empathy, resilience, and buy-in. Foster inclusion throughout your organisation.
LeadershipCMI L5 ★
M10
Managing Change - CMI 514
Plan, implement, and sustain organisational change as you introduce AI into teams and operations. This is the CMI Level 5 Award assignment unit.
Security
M11
AI Risk & Security
Conduct assurance activities, apply governance frameworks, and implement risk mitigation to keep AI tools safe and accountable.
4

Strategic Leadership & Mastery (Months 12–15)

4 modules • Strategic influence + certification
Testing
M12
Agile Testing & Piloting
Run AI pilots from concept to delivery. Evaluate against budgets, iterate on feedback, and prove ROI before full rollout.
Leadership
M13
Strategic Communication & Stakeholder Influence
Communicate upward to boards, downward to teams, sideways to peers. Present vision, manage resistance, and win buy-in at every level.
Advocacy
M14
Winning AI Support & Buy-In
Master the communication skills to advocate for AI-driven change. Influence leaders, colleagues, and boards with confidence.
Tool Mastery
M15
Microsoft Copilot in Practice
Apply AI across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams using Microsoft Copilot. Prepare for the AB-730 certification exam.
Inside the curriculum · complimentary leadership content

Inside the 4 leadership half-days woven through your year.

Four focused half-days threaded across 15 months alongside the technical AI curriculum. Pure leadership skill — transferable to anywhere in your career, not just the AI agenda. Walk in as a strong manager. Walk out as the leader your CEO trusts with the next big call. Complimentary for every AI Operations Leaders apprentice — included in the programme at no extra cost.

4
Leadership half-days
1
CMI L5 Award included
4
Walk-away deliverables
15
Months to embed it
Leadership
M3

Strategic Planning & Decision Making

Set the direction, prioritise what matters, and make defensible decisions under pressure. The leadership capability that turns a manager into a leader your sponsor trusts.

Why this matters

You are the one being asked “so what should we actually do?” This half-day gives you the frameworks, the language and the practice to lead that conversation.

Half-day · one of four

What you cover

  • Build a strategic plan connecting daily operations to long-term goals using the OGSM framework
  • Apply real decision-making frameworks — RACI, RAPID, OODA, Eisenhower matrix — to live operational decisions you brought from your own desk
  • Master the art of prioritisation when everything on your plate feels urgent — the four lenses senior leaders actually use
  • Run a SWOT and PESTLE analysis on your function, identifying threats most middle managers miss
  • Build a defensible business case structured the way finance teams will recognise and approve
  • Make decisions under uncertainty using risk-adjusted scoring rather than gut feel
  • Know when to pilot, when to scale, when to kill — the three decision gates every initiative passes through
  • Translate strategy into a 90-day operations plan with named owners, milestones and measurable signals
You leave with

Your 90-day operational plan — prioritised, costed, sequenced, defensible.

Leadership
M7

Leading & Developing High-Performing Teams

Get the best out of the people who actually deliver the work. Performance management, coaching, succession, motivation — the people-leadership skills that transfer to every job you’ll ever hold.

Why this matters

You can have the best plan, the best tech and the best budget — and still fail if the team isn’t with you. This half-day gives you the playbook.

Half-day · one of four

What you cover

  • Rewrite the performance contract with each team member — what good looks like, how it’s measured
  • Master coaching conversations using the GROW model — structured questioning that shifts ownership back to the person being coached
  • Set SMART goals that compound team output, not just individual output — including the goals you should refuse to set
  • Spot capability gaps in 60 seconds and lead each team member differently — high will/low skill, low will/high skill
  • Build psychological safety so the team brings problems up early — the four behaviours that destroy it
  • Run high-quality 1:1s that go beyond status updates — the agenda template that earns the team’s trust
  • Identify your three potential successors and design the stretch plan that grows them
  • Handle the difficult conversation when a team member is genuinely underperforming — the script that respects them and holds the standard
You leave with

Your team development plan — specific 90-day actions per team member, tied to capability outcomes.

★ CMI L5 Award · Assignment Unit
M10

Managing Change · CMI 514

Plan, implement, and sustain organisational change — whatever the change actually is. The CMI Level 5 Award assignment unit. Complete it and you walk out with a globally-recognised CMI qualification on top of your apprenticeship.

Why this matters

Change is the one constant in every leadership career you’ll have. This half-day gives you the framework, the academic backing, AND the certification.

Half-day · CMI 514 assignment unit

What you cover

  • Master the three core change models — Kotter’s 8 Steps, ADKAR, Bridges’ Transitions — and know when to use each in the wild
  • Map the change impact: who’s affected, by how much, when, and what they’ll actually feel
  • Build a stakeholder map that names the resistors, the champions, the swing voters and the blockers — with the influence you have over each
  • Spot resistance early — the four signals most managers miss until it’s too late to course-correct
  • Build the case for change in language each stakeholder group will actually act on, not just nod through
  • Design the communication cadence: when to talk, what to say, who delivers it, how often, what channels actually work
  • Master the art of the small win — compound them into organisational momentum that makes the change feel inevitable
  • Sustain change after the launch dust settles — where most initiatives quietly fade and the four behaviours that prevent it
You leave with

Your 90-Day Change Plan + CMI 514 assignment ready. On completion, the CMI Level 5 Award qualification on your CV alongside the apprenticeship.

Leadership
M13

Strategic Communication & Stakeholder Influence

Communicate upward, downward and sideways. Present a vision, manage resistance, and win buy-in at every level. The skill that turns a smart manager into a respected leader.

Why this matters

Your ideas are only as good as your ability to sell them. To your board, your team, procurement, IT, legal, finance. This half-day makes you the person every executive room wants briefing them.

Half-day · one of four

What you cover

  • Anatomy of an executive briefing — the seven slides that actually move a board room, in the order that works
  • Frame the right narrative for your CEO, CFO, COO and CHRO — same facts, four different stories, all true, all tailored
  • Master numbers vs stories — when to lead with each, and how to combine them under pressure
  • Anticipate the four classic objections at board level — cost, risk, opportunity, lock-in — and pre-empt them
  • Run a manager cascade that doesn’t get diluted into nothing by line three of the org chart
  • Influence across the org without formal authority — the techniques that work on procurement, legal, IT and finance
  • Handle difficult conversations — job impact, perceived unfairness, redundancy fears — before they become formal grievances
  • Practise the 5-minute board pitch with live feedback from peers and tutors
You leave with

Your reusable board-pack template + stakeholder communication playbook — templates, scripts and decision rules for the conversations that matter most.

In partnership
TESS Group
Included free · UK exclusive

Meet Coachy — your apprentices’ AI tutor, 24/7.

Coachy is the Claude-powered AI tutor we built specifically for apprenticeship learners. Every TESS apprentice gets Coachy in their pocket — so when they’re prepping for a 1:1 at 9pm, drafting evidence at the weekend, or trying to make sense of a concept before their next live day, they’re not stuck waiting.

24/7 between sessions EPA-safe by design Mobile + desktop Built on Anthropic Claude
Try Coachy How it works

Need an ops team that runs leaner with AI?

25-minute discovery call. We will discuss roles, funding, and which people on your team would benefit most.

Book a Discovery Call

Employer Return on Investment

Investing in an AI-ready operations leader pays measurable dividends.

📦
77%
Faster workflow cycle times through intelligent automation
15%
Logistics cost reduction via AI-driven optimisation
35%
Forecast accuracy improvement for demand planning
20%
Productivity gains across operations teams

Why TESS Stands Apart

3 Qualifications

CMI, NCFE, Microsoft - all bundled

⚙️

15 Integrated Modules

Leadership + AI + Operations

Apprenticeship Model

Learn, apply, assess - real impact

Other Providers Teach AI.
TESS Transforms Operations.

CMI Level 5 Leadership Built In

Other providers deliver AI training. We integrate leadership development across all 15 modules. Your apprentice emerges as both an AI practitioner AND a qualified operations leader.

Operations-Specific Content

Not generic AI. Every module speaks to supply chain, logistics, production, quality control, and process optimisation. Real examples. Real ROI.

Workplace Project = Real Transformation

Your apprentice doesn't just learn - they deliver an AI & automation project in your business. End-to-end: scope, implement, measure, present results to the board.

How TESS Compares

TESS vs. Other Providers & In-House Training

Feature TESS Programme Typical Provider In-House Training
CMI Level 5 Leadership ✗ ✗
Microsoft AI Credential ✗
Operations-Focused Content ✗
NCFE Level 3 AI Prompt Mastery ✗ ✗
Workplace AI Project (Real ROI) ✗
Independent Assessment (EPA) ✗ ✗
100% Levy Funded ✗ Cost to company
Portable Qualifications ✗ ✗
Dedicated Training Partner ✗

Trusted Partners

Delivered through partnerships with industry leaders and awarding bodies.

End-Point Assessment (EPA)

Independent assessment aligned to the ST1512 V2.0 Assessment Plan. Your apprentice demonstrates occupational competence across six assessment outcomes.

Assessment Organisation: BCS (independent EPAO regulated by Ofqual)

P

Project MANDATORY

The apprentice completes a workplace AI & automation project. This is the core assessment method required by the standard.

+

Additional Assessment Methods

At least one additional method is selected from: Presentation, Professional Discussion, Simulated Task, or Portfolio - ensuring all six assessment outcomes are fully evidenced.

AO

Six Assessment Outcomes

Strategic & Ethical AI Adoption • Solution Design & Development • Testing, Evaluation & Iteration • Governance & Risk Management • Stakeholder Engagement • Continuous Improvement & Change Delivery

Graded: Pass or Distinction

Performance assessed across four categories: Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, Regulatory & Procedural Awareness, and Communication & Collaboration.

Your EPA Journey
1
Gateway (Month 12–14)

Apprentice meets gateway requirements. TESS and employer confirm readiness. Project scoped and evidence gathering begins.

2
Project Delivery (Month 15–16)

Apprentice completes their workplace AI & automation project. Supporting evidence compiled for additional assessment methods.

3
Assessment (Month 17)

BCS conducts the EPA: project assessed plus additional method(s). All six assessment outcomes evidenced.

4
Certification (Month 18)

Graded Pass or Distinction awarded. All 3 qualifications conferred. Apprenticeship complete.

The programme didn't just teach our operations manager AI - it gave her a framework for managing teams through automation. She came back with a complete supply chain optimisation project, real cost savings, and the confidence to lead our entire organisation through digital transformation.
👨‍💼
Operations Director
Logistics Provider (TESS Employer)

Compare Our AI Apprenticeships

Find the right programme for your needs

Programme Level Duration Key Focus Funding Band
AI & Automation Practitioner Level 4 15 months Hands-on automation, no-code tools, AI prompting £18,000
AI for People Leaders Level 4 15 months Leading teams through AI change, coaching frameworks £18,000
AI for Operations Leaders Level 4 15 months Supply chain, process optimisation, ROI measurement £18,000
AI for Coaching Professionals Level 4 15 months AI coaching models, client transformation, ethics £18,000
AI & ML Fellowship Level 6 24 months Advanced ML, strategic deployment, governance £24,000

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the AI for Operations Leaders programme.

Who is this programme for?

▼
Operations managers, supply chain leaders, logistics managers, production supervisors, facilities managers, warehouse operations leads, quality & compliance managers, and anyone responsible for processes, workflows, teams, or systems in operations. This is NOT for individual contributors - it's for leaders managing teams through AI transformation.

Do I need AI or technical experience?

▼
No. We start from the fundamentals: what AI is, where it delivers ROI in operations, ethics, governance. The programme assumes no prior technical knowledge. It's built for operations leaders, not data scientists. You'll learn alongside your team and emerge with practical, applied understanding.

What does it cost my company?

▼
£0 out-of-pocket. The £18,000 apprenticeship cost is 100% funded by your payroll levy. If you don't have a levy account or need help accessing funds, TESS can guide you. Apprentices over 19 at start cost 5% shared (£900). The government covers 95%. For smaller companies without levy, alternative funding routes exist - talk to us.

How is the programme delivered?

▼
All sessions are delivered via live online workshops (Zoom or Microsoft Teams), so your team can learn from their desks - no travel or venue costs required. We deliver nationwide across England, running closed cohorts so your team learns together. Face-to-face delivery can be arranged on request.

How long is the programme?

▼
15–18 months, including EPA (End-Point Assessment). The first 12–14 months cover the 15 modules and leadership development. Months 15–18 focus on the workplace AI project, portfolio building, and independent assessment. Pace adapts to your apprentice's progress and your business needs.

What's the workplace project about?

▼
Your apprentice identifies and delivers a real AI or automation project in your operations. Examples: supply chain optimisation, demand forecasting, process automation, quality control enhancement, or logistics route optimisation. They own it end-to-end: scoping, implementation, measurement, and stakeholder communication. Real impact. Real ROI. Real proof of competence.

Can TESS help manage the apprenticeship?

▼
Yes. TESS handles training delivery, curriculum pacing, EPA coordination with BCS, progress tracking, and compliance reporting. You manage the apprentice's day job and provide a workplace mentor. We guide you on all apprenticeship regulations, record-keeping, and support needed for successful completion. Full partnership.

What if my apprentice doesn't pass EPA?

▼
EPA resits are available. TESS provides support and additional coaching to address gaps. Even if an apprentice doesn't achieve Distinction, they've completed the 15-module curriculum, earned 3 qualifications (CMI, NCFE, Microsoft), and developed significant AI and leadership capability. The programme delivers value beyond the EPA grade.

Do the qualifications transfer to other jobs?

▼
Absolutely. CMI Level 5, NCFE certifications, and Microsoft AB-730 are portable. Your apprentice can carry them to any employer. That's the power of industry-recognised credentials - they're not locked to your company. They improve career prospects and earning potential across the sector.

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Find the right AI apprenticeship for your team

Level 4

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18 months up to 5 qualifications
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15-18 months 3 qualifications
Level 4 • You are here

AI for Operations Leaders

AI-driven operational excellence with CMI qualifications. For operations and departmental managers.

15-18 months 3 qualifications
Level 4

AI & Automation Practitioner

Hands-on AI and automation skills for every department. Build, deploy, and optimise AI solutions.

15-18 months 4-5 qualifications
Level 4

AI for Coaching Professionals

AI-powered coaching with CMI Level 5 coaching qualifications. For coaches, HR, and L&D professionals.

15 months 4 qualifications
Level 6 • Degree-level

AI & ML Fellowship

Deep learning, NLP, computer vision and MLOps. For technical AI and ML engineering roles.

18+3 months 3+1 qualifications
← Back to all programmes

Ready to Transform Your Operations with AI-Ready Leaders?

Start the conversation. Let's discuss how this programme fits your business goals and your operations team's needs.

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Related Reading

Manager’s Guide
AI Operations Leaders L4
15 modules explained for operations sponsors. CMI L5 + AI Prompt Mastery included.
The Complete Guide to AI Apprenticeships
Standards, levels, funding, qualifications, and ROI
How to Choose an AI Apprenticeship Provider
10-point employer checklist for evaluating providers

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Why This Matters

Understand the context and importance of this programme:

Why This Programme Exists 5 Workshops Every New Manager Needs

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