AI Leadership Apprenticeship Unit (AU0002) – Developing AI Strategy

Upskill business leaders in AI with the Level 5 AI Leadership Apprenticeship Unit (AU0002), designed to build capability in AI strategy, governance and adoption.

Funded through the Growth and Skills Levy and aligned to the UK Government’s AI apprenticeship standard, this flexible programme helps organisations develop confident leaders who can make informed decisions and apply AI effectively across the business. 

What is the AI Leadership Apprenticeship Unit (AU0002)? 

The AI Leadership Apprenticeship Unit is a structured, short-form programme designed to strengthen leadership capability in AI across organisations. 

Aligned to a government-backed AI standard, it focuses on the strategic decisions that shape how AI is adopted, governed and embedded in the workplace. 

From defining direction to managing risk and investment, the programme equips leaders to lead AI adoption with confidence and clarity.

Who is the unit for? 

This programme is tailored to professionals who are responsible for guiding technology decisions, leading change or shaping digital strategy within their organisation. 

Typical learners include: 

Learners must be employed, aged 19 or over and working in or progressing towards a leadership role. 

Programme overview 

The AI Leadership Apprenticeship Unit is designed to work alongside day-to-day responsibilities, making it suitable for organisations that need capability developed without disruption. 

Training is delivered over 30 hours, typically across one to sixteen weeks, depending on organisational need and delivery model. 

What your leaders will learn 

This programme builds practical, applied capability in leading AI adoption across an organisation, with a focus on real strategic decision-making rather than technical delivery. Here is a detailed overview of what your leaders will learn from the AI Leadership Apprenticeship Unit:

Define and lead AI strategy - Leaders will be able to shape organisation-wide AI strategy aligned to business priorities, identifying where AI delivers the most value and how initiatives should be prioritised for maximum impact. 

Make informed investment decisions - Decision-making around AI tools, platforms and suppliers is strengthened through structured evaluation methods that ensure commercial viability, long-term sustainability and alignment with organisational goals. 

Strengthen governance and responsible AI use - Clear governance frameworks are introduced to support ethical, safe and compliant use of AI, embedding accountability and transparency into organisational processes. 

Manage AI-related risk and compliance - Risk identification and assessment techniques are applied within enterprise risk frameworks, supporting audit readiness and ongoing monitoring of AI systems. 

Lead organisational change - Guidance is provided on driving AI adoption across teams, including managing workforce impact, supporting engagement and enabling transitions to new ways of working. 

Engage with external stakeholders and regulation - Confidence is built in navigating evolving AI regulation and engaging effectively with regulators, industry bodies and external partners. 

Build workforce capability for AI adoption - Focus is placed on identifying capability gaps and shaping long-term workforce development strategies that support sustained AI-enabled transformation. 

How is the training delivered? 

Learning is delivered through flexible, workplace-based sessions led by industry-experienced practitioners from Apprentify. 

Leaders apply what they learn directly to live business challenges, turning insight into practical action that aligns with organisational priorities. 

How is the training assessed? 

The assessment is designed to reflect real workplace application. Learners complete a structured skills-based assessment, supported by Apprentify and validated by the employer. 

This ensures capability is demonstrated in a meaningful, business-focused context. 

Why this training matters for employers 

AI is already reshaping how organisations operate, but many are still transitioning from experimentation to structured adoption. 

Without strong leadership capability, AI initiatives can become fragmented, inconsistent and difficult to scale. 

This programme addresses that gap by strengthening decision-making, governance and strategic clarity around AI adoption. 

For employers, this leads to more consistent implementation across teams, improved risk management and stronger alignment between AI investment and business outcomes. It ensures AI is implemented in a way that is structured, scalable and designed to deliver long-term value. 

To discuss more about the AI Leadership Apprenticeship Unit and how the training can benefit your organisation, call our team today on 0333 996 0165.

How is the AI Leadership Apprenticeship unit funded? 

The AI Leadership Apprenticeship Unit is eligible for funding through the Growth and Skills Levy. 

Levy-paying employers can use existing funds to support delivery, making this a cost-effective way to develop leadership capability in AI. For eligible organisations, co-investment options may also be available. 

Why choose Apprentify? 

Apprentify is an Ofsted-rated Outstanding apprenticeship provider and one of the UK’s fastest-growing training organisations, trusted by employers to deliver high-quality, work-based learning. 

As an approved provider for Level 5 AI leadership training, we support organisations in developing capability that is aligned to recognised standards while remaining practical and relevant to real business challenges. 

Our programmes are designed around the workplace, ensuring learning is applied directly to day-to-day responsibilities. For the AI Leadership Apprenticeship Unit, this means leaders can immediately apply learning to strategic decisions, governance and implementation. 

The result is leadership capability that is aligned to business priorities and delivers measurable impact.