AI Leadership – AI Adoption, Procurement and Governance
Level 5 Apprenticeship Unit
Funding band: £750
Duration: 30+ Hours
Delivery Style: 1:1 In person and online, Live virtual classrooms, 247 on demand learning resources
The employer is responsible for covering this cost. SMEs may be eligible for up to 100% funding. For Levy employers, additional information is available here. Apprentices are not required to contribute toward these expenses.
Course Overview
This Level 5 Apprenticeship Unit develops the capability leaders need to make confident, responsible and evidence-based decisions about adopting AI systems. Learners explore how to evaluate AI solutions, manage procurement, assess risks, and implement governance frameworks that ensure safe, ethical and compliant AI adoption. The unit is designed for organisations that want to accelerate AI capability while maintaining strong oversight, transparency and assurance.
Who This Course Is For
This course is ideal for leaders, managers and decisionmakers who influence or support organisational decisions about AI adoption. It is particularly suited to individuals who:
- Shape or contribute to AI investment decisions
- Evaluate AI vendors, tools or platforms
- Develop business cases for AI adoption
- Lead governance, assurance or compliance activity
- Need to understand the risks, ethics and regulatory implications of AI
- Are responsible for ensuring safe, transparent and accountable AI use
Learners must be 19+, employed, and working in a role with autonomy to influence technological change.
At the End of This Course You Will Be Able To
- Evaluate AI solutions and vendors using structured organisational criteria
- Make procurement decisions based on testing, benchmarking and user validation
- Assess risks such as vendor lockin, data issues, IP, sustainability and security
- Design and implement AI governance frameworks with clear roles and escalation paths
- Embed ethical, legal and regulatory considerations into AI decisionmaking
- Define assurance and compliance processes, including documentation and auditability
- Design and implement human oversight mechanisms for AI systems
Course Modules
Evaluating AI Solutions
- Assess AI capabilities, performance and limitations
- Analyse cost, data readiness and organisational fit
- Compare on-premise, cloud and third-party solutions
Procurement and Vendor Selection
- Apply structured procurement processes
- Use testing, benchmarking and user validation
- Evaluate feasibility, time, cost and data quality
AI Risk and Assurance
- Identify risks including vendor lockin, IP, data and sustainability
- Apply structured risk assessments
- Understand assurance frameworks and documentation requirements
Governance and Compliance
- Build governance frameworks with clear roles and responsibilities
- Implement escalation pathways and oversight mechanisms
- Align with recognised AI governance and assurance frameworks
Ethics, Regulation and Responsible AI
- Apply ethical and legal considerations to AI decisions
- Understand regulatory requirements and organisational obligations
- Ensure transparency, accountability and auditability
Human Oversight and Workforce Impact
- Design human-in-the-loop oversight mechanisms
- Engage nontechnical staff in AI adoption
- Understand workforce implications and change management
Knowledge and Skills You Will Develop
Knowledge
You will gain understanding of:
- AI and automation concepts for leadership decisionmaking
- Ethical, legal and regulatory frameworks for AI adoption
- Governance principles, roles and responsibilities
- Testing methodologies and evaluation techniques
- Assurance, compliance and documentation requirements
- Human oversight, workforce engagement and feedback loops
Skills –
You will develop the ability to:
- Evaluate AI solutions using qualitative and quantitative analysis
- Commission assessments and interpret risk evaluations
- Align business needs with technical capabilities
- Apply ethical and human-centred design principles
- Conduct assurance activities and maintain transparent documentation
- Horizon-scan emerging AI technologies and sector trends
Trusted by leading employers
How You Will Learn
NowSkills delivers this apprenticeship unit through:
- Live virtual workshops led by experienced AI and digital specialists
- 1:1 coaching and support tailored to your organisation’s AI context
- Practical workplacebased activities aligned to real AI adoption scenarios
- Ondemand learning resources to reinforce knowledge and skills
- Structured evaluation tasks to build confidence in procurement and governance
Training is typically delivered over 1–16 weeks, depending on employer need.
Assessment and Certification
To complete this unit, learners must:
- Pass a providerled skills test demonstrating the required knowledge and skills
- Have their employer validate the result to confirm workplace competence
Optional extended assessment is available where employers require independent verification or alignment with regulated industry standards.
Funding, Benefits and How to Enrol
Funding
This apprenticeship unit is eligible for public funding up to £750, with ongoing review by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Benefits for Employers
- Build responsible AI adoption capability
- Strengthen governance, assurance and compliance
- Reduce risk in procurement and vendor selection
- Improve transparency, accountability and audit readiness
- Accelerate safe and strategic AI deployment
Benefits for Learners
- Gain confidence in evaluating and procuring AI systems
- Develop leadership-level governance and assurance skills
- Strengthen your ability to influence strategic AI decisions
- Build futureready capability in a high-growth area
How to Enrol
Contact NowSkills to schedule delivery, confirm eligibility and secure funded places for your team.