CertHE Artificial Intelligence and Automation Practitioner Apprenticeship
- Course type
- Apprenticeship
- Course qualification
- CertHE
Course summary
What is the fee?
For all course options, see fees and funding
Where will I study?
Peel Park campus
How long will I study?
Part-time: 18 months
Overview
Please note, this apprenticeship is subject to academic approval
This apprenticeship programme prepares you to implement Artificial Intelligence and automation solutions to solve real business problems in a way that delivers genuine, measurable value. Rather than focusing on complex coding or theory, you will learn to apply AI using practical, low-code and no-code tools. But the programme goes beyond tool competency. You will develop the professional judgement to assess whether a process is genuinely suitable for automation, to identify and manage the ethical, data, and governance implications of deploying AI solutions, and to bring colleagues with you through the change.
What makes this programme distinctive is the combination of technical and business thinking that underpins it. Delivered as a collaboration between our Business School and the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Environment, it is designed to produce practitioners who understand the technology well enough to implement it responsibly, and the organisational context well enough to make it stick.
You will work on authentic workplace challenges, learning how to identify opportunities for AI, design solutions, and support their successful adoption. You will also develop a critical understanding of how AI works, its limitations, and how to use it responsibly. Through a blend of online learning, in-person workshops, and applied workplace projects, you will build skills you can use immediately – while developing the confidence to keep up with rapidly evolving technologies.
You will:
- Identify opportunities to apply AI and automation to improve business processes
- Design and implement workflows using low-code and no-code AI tools
- Apply prompt engineering to get effective results from generative AI systems
- Analyse data and understand how AI systems make decisions
- Support organisational change, including stakeholder engagement and training
- Evaluate AI solutions for ethics, risk, governance, and real-world impact
This is for you if...
You want to use AI tools at work without needing advanced coding skills
You want a nationally recognised apprenticeship with real workplace impact
You want to futureproof your career in a fast-growing AI-driven job market
You want to learn by solving real business problems, not just studying theory
You want to combine technical skills with leadership and organisational change
You want to progress into roles focused on AI, automation, or digital transformation
Greater Manchester Institute of Technology
Located across England, Institutes of Technology (IoTs) are a national network of partnerships between local colleges, universities, and leading employers.
We are a proud partner in the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology. This means as a student on this course you will benefit from being part of the º£½ÇÂÒÂ× community, with access to our facilities and support, and taught by our tutors. You will also be part of the GMIoT network, with access to additional events and activities.
How you'll learn
Future careers
This course is designed to enhance your impact in your current role, helping you take on greater responsibility in how your organisation adopts and uses AI and automation. Rather than preparing you to start from scratch in a new career, this course supports you to grow into roles where you can lead or contribute to digital and AI-driven initiatives.
As you progress, you may take on responsibilities such as identifying opportunities for automation, improving processes, supporting teams to use AI tools effectively, and helping shape how AI is used within your organisation. This could include taking on formal responsibility for AI and automation adoption within your organisation, business unit, or team – or progression into more senior or specialist roles such as project manager, business analyst, or operations or systems lead where that capability is increasingly expected
You will develop the confidence to work across teams, bridging the gap between technical tools and organisational needs. Whether you are working in operations, administration, customer service, or a technical environment, this course equips you to play a key role in improving efficiency, supporting innovation, and helping your organisation adapt to a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Modules
This apprenticeship programme is designed to help you and your organisation unlock the value of AI and automation in a practical, low-risk way. You will learn how to identify opportunities for efficiency, design AI-enabled workflows, and implement solutions that deliver measurable impact.
As an apprenticeship, this course is fully integrated with your role. You will apply what you learn directly to your organisation, working on real processes, systems, and challenges. This means immediate return on investment for employers, while you develop skills that are in high demand across industries.
You will be supported through a blended learning approach, combining flexible online study with in-person workshops focused on hands-on, collaborative activity. Teaching is delivered by both technical and business specialists, ensuring you develop a well-rounded skillset that covers implementation, data, and organisational change.
By the end of this course, you will be able to confidently lead or contribute to AI and automation initiatives, helping your organisation improve productivity, reduce costs, and adapt to a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Year one
AI, Data & Generative AI Foundations
You will build core knowledge of data and AI systems, including how models work, their limitations, and potential biases. You will develop practical skills in working with generative AI, including prompt and context engineering, learning how to structure, refine, and evaluate interactions to achieve reliable outcomes. You will explore how modern AI applications are designed and applied in practice, including the use of context-rich approaches such as retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), agent-based workflows, and other emerging patterns. You will learn how to select and apply appropriate tools and approaches based on specific tasks and organisational constraints, considering factors such as usability, data sensitivity, and reliability. This will help you understand how AI-enabled workflows are constructed and evaluated, while equipping you with the skills to critically assess new tools, adapt to evolving technologies, and make informed decisions about the effective use of AI in real-world contexts.
AI Systems Implementation
You will focus on designing, building, and deploying AI and automation solutions using low-code and no-code tools. This includes workflow design, system integration, APIs, connectors, and the configuration of AI-enabled processes within organisational environments. You will explore common AI solution patterns, including orchestrating multi-step workflows and integrating generative AI into business processes.
You will also develop the skills to work effectively with technical teams and stakeholders, learning how to translate business needs into clear technical requirements and communicate solution designs in a structured and practical way. This includes understanding implementation constraints, usability considerations, and how AI solutions fit within wider organisational systems and processes.
You will learn how to test, monitor, and optimise solutions, ensuring they are reliable, scalable, and capable of delivering sustained value in real-world organisational settings.
Change Management and Adoption
You will learn how to design and support the human side of change associated with AI and automation. The module takes a human-centred approach to AI adoption, focusing on how organisations can introduce new technologies in ways that support people, collaboration, and sustainable working practices. You will explore change management techniques including process mapping, stakeholder engagement, communication, training, and user adoption. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding how individuals and teams respond to change, and how inclusive approaches can improve engagement, confidence, and long-term adoption outcomes.
The module also examines the social and organisational impact of AI within workplaces, particularly in small and medium-sized organisations where people, culture, and ways of working are often central to successful implementation. You will develop the skills to work collaboratively with colleagues and support organisations in embedding AI-enabled change effectively and responsibly.
AI and Organisational Transformation
You will explore how AI and automation create value within organisations, including productivity, strategy, innovation, and competitive advantage. The module focuses on building the strategic case for AI adoption, helping you identify opportunities where AI can improve organisational performance and support long-term business goals.
A strong emphasis is placed on AI governance, responsible AI, risk, compliance, and ethical decision-making, reflecting the growing importance of trustworthy and accountable AI practices within organisations. You will examine how organisations can develop frameworks for managing AI responsibly, while balancing innovation with legal, ethical, and societal considerations. You will also explore organisational readiness for AI transformation, including leadership, culture, and the factors that influence successful strategic adoption.
Entry requirements
Applicant profile
This course is suitable for you if you are in a role where you see opportunities to improve how work gets done and want to use AI and automation to make that happen. You might currently work in operations, administration, IT, or an analytical role, particularly where you are involved in processes, systems, or decision-making.
It is especially relevant if you are already supporting (or are expected to support) digital change, process improvement, or the introduction of new tools in your organisation. You do not need a technical background, but you should be comfortable using digital tools and willing to explore how they can be applied in new ways.
From an employer perspective, this course is well suited to staff who understand how the organisation operates and are well placed to identify opportunities for improvement, but who need the skills and confidence to apply AI effectively and responsibly in practice.
Standard entry requirements
GCSE
English Language and Mathematics at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent). You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements.
If you do not hold level 2 Maths and/or English, please email the Apprenticeship Services Unit to discuss your options.
Previous experience
The AI and Automation Practitioner apprenticeship is for professionals working in project management, business analysis, operations, or IT who are looking to formalise and deepen their capability in AI and automation and to take on a more defined role in leading its adoption within their organisation.
Previous experience of working with AI or automation tools is desirable but not essential. What matters is that you are already working in a role where these technologies are becoming relevant, and that you can demonstrate the commitment and professional curiosity to develop your practice in this area in a structured and rigorous way. This may either be an existing role or a new role you are starting alongside this apprenticeship.
Alternative entry requirements
Fees and funding
The cost of the full degree apprenticeship programme is £18,000. The cost of the apprenticeship will be covered by your employer and/ or the government. You will need to cover the cost of any study materials plus travel to and from campus if required.
Apprenticeship Funding
The apprenticeship levy was introduced in April 2017 and requires all employers operating in the UK, with a pay bill of over £3 million each year to invest in apprenticeships.
The funding policy supports the changes to the way apprenticeships in England are paid for, underpinned by the apprenticeship levy of 0.5% of the annual pay bill for companies paying over £3 million per year.
There is also a co-investment model for companies who will not be paying into the levy. The government will cover 95% of the cost of the apprenticeship and the employer will only have to contribute the remaining 5%. Once payments have been declared to HMRC, employers will now have access to a digital apprenticeship account from which they will be able to access funding to pay for apprenticeship training.
The maximum amount of money allocated to each standard falls into one of 30 funding bands, ranging from £1,500 to £27,000. The Ai & Automation Practitioner standard has been allocated the following funding band:
Funding band maximum: £18,000
Additional costs
You should consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general sustenance on trips and visits.
How to apply
Not in employment
To apply for an apprenticeship, you must first be employed with a company willing to enrol you on the apprenticeship programme.
The has further information on this. The website also advertises vacancies for apprentices.
Unfortunately, the University does not hold details of employer vacancies.
In employment
Speak with the apprentice lead in your organisation in the first instance as they will provide the funding and will make initial contact with the Apprenticeship Services Unit. Your employer will need to confirm that they'll fund and support your enrolment with the University.
If you are currently in employment with a company that is willing to support you through an apprenticeship, then they will need to contact us in the first instance to express their interest in the apprenticeship programme and this will trigger the application process.
For general apprenticeship enquiries email apprenticeships@salford.ac.uk phone: +44 (0)161 295 3063 or complete the contact us form