The AI Leadership: AI Adoption, Procurement & Governance Apprenticeship Unit (AU0010) is ideal for those in leadership roles responsible for shaping, influencing, or supporting decisions about the adoption of AI systems within their organisation.
This Level 5 programme is particularly relevant for employees who need upskilling in how to adopt AI systems and govern them responsibly.
Learners should be:
Aged 19+
Currently employed
By completing the AI Leadership: AI Adoption, Procurement & Governance Apprenticeship Unit, learners will develop the capability to:
During this Apprenticeship Unit, your employee will learn how to:
Apply principles relating to ethics and values-based leadership and governance, and regulatory compliance.
Horizon scan to identify new developments that have implications for AI use.
Apply regulatory, legal, ethical and governance considerations when evaluating AI recommendations at each stage of the AI adoption process.
Define expectations for testing and feedback to ensure reliability, security, accessibility of AI systems, and alignment with organisational needs.
Make evidence-based suggestions to support governance, outcomes and facilitate improvement, for example, cost-benefit analysis.
Apply ethical and human-centred design principles when scoping, developing, and deploying automation and AI solutions, underpinned by robust governance.
Undertake assurance activities to evidence responsible AI and automation, including maintaining clear documentation of design and decision-making, contributing to risk assessments, and applying assurance frameworks to support compliance with organisational, regulatory, and ethical standards.
If you already use the apprenticeship levy, you’ll use the same pot of money for Apprenticeship Units
The AI Leadership: AI Adoption, Procurement & Governance Apprenticeship Unit is delivered through:
Learners will learn how to evaluate AI solutions and vendors using structured criteria following organisational process (cost, performance, risk, data readiness).
Learners will also be taught how to make procurement decisions based on testing, benchmarking and user validation following organisational policy and process.
Your employee will learn how to assess risks associated with AI acquisition, including vendor lock-in, data, IP, and sustainability.
Your employee will also be shown how to design and implement AI governance frameworks, including roles, responsibilities and escalation pathways.
This focuses on how to embed ethical, legal and regulatory considerations into AI decision-making processes.
Your employee will learn how to define assurance and compliance processes, including documentation, auditability and transparency.
Finally, your employee will learn how to design and implement human oversight mechanisms for AI systems.
Learners are assessed through a provider-led skills test, comprising:
This approach confirms real occupational competence rather than academic knowledge recall.
On completion, learners can progress into or strengthen roles such as:
The unit also supports progression to Level 6 digital or data apprenticeships, or further executive-level AI development.
On completion, learners may progress into or strengthen roles such as:
The unit also supports progression to Level 6 digital or data apprenticeships, or further executive AI development.
The AI Leadership: AI Adoption, Procurement & Governance Apprenticeship Unit is designed for existing employees in leadership roles responsible for shaping, influencing, or supporting decisions about the adoption of AI systems within their organisation.
The focus is on upskilling these employees in adopting AI systems and how to govern them responsibly.
No. This Unit is not a technical or coding programme.
Learners do not need hands‑on experience building AI systems. Instead, the unit is designed for leaders who:
A general familiarity with digital systems, data or organisational change is helpful, but training starts with leadership‑level AI literacy and builds from there.
By completing this Apprenticeship Unit, you'll learn how to:
Evaluate AI solutions and vendors using structured criteria following organisational process (cost, performance, risk, data readiness).
Make procurement decisions based on testing, benchmarking and user validation following organisational policy and process.
Assess risks associated with AI acquisition, including vendor lock-in, data, IP, and sustainability.
Design and implement AI governance frameworks, including roles, responsibilities and escalation pathways.
Embed ethical, legal and regulatory considerations into AI decision-making processes.
Define assurance and compliance processes, including documentation, auditability and transparency.
Design and implement human oversight mechanisms for AI systems.
The unit is delivered through:
Delivery is remote, allowing you to apply learning alongside your existing role.
Assessment is through a provider‑led skills test, which includes:
A portfolio of applied organisational artefacts, such as:
An AI strategy and prioritised use cases
An AI investment or procurement case
A professional discussion to confirm leadership judgement, decision‑making and application
There is no exam.
There's no cost for learners for completing an Apprenticeship Unit.
The unit is funded through:
The Apprenticeship Unit is designed for short, intensive delivery, with learning hours set at 30 hours (minimum).
You remain in your role throughout and apply learning directly to live organisational priorities.
Yes. Throughout the unit you will receive support from:
Your employer will also provide a workplace sponsor or mentor to support application of learning.
On completion, you will be better equipped to:
The unit also supports progression to Level 6 digital or data apprenticeships, or further executive‑level AI development.
If you don’t feel this particular course is right for you, we have other courses available that may be more suitable.
Gain AI marketing skills with the Level 3 Generative AI Marketer Apprenticeship.
Build coding skills with the Level 4 Software Developer Apprenticeship.
Build IT support skills with the Level 3 Information Communication Technician Apprenticeship.
If you’re new to apprenticeships, this is what you can expect once you’ve applied for the course.
From level 0 to 7, we’re here to help. Get in touch to discuss your needs and find the right programme for you.