AI Champion

Level 3 apprenticeship

Upskill your employees to become AI ambassadors, providing the AI skills and support needed to automate workflows and processes and effectively deliver your AI transformation objectives.

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Overview

AI is no longer a 'nice to have' - it's a business essential. The Kaplan AI Champion apprenticeship equips organisations to adopt AI in a way that is ethical, responsible and effective, turning potential into measurable impact.

Learners develop practical knowledge and skills in AI tools and capabilities, alongside the ability to identify, refine and implement AI-enhanced processes and workflows across teams and functions.

Based on the Digital Support Technician standard, the AI Champion is equipped to support colleagues by delivering training and responding to queries on all aspects of AI adoption across the organisation.

The direct application of these skills ensures employees are highly competent, drive efficiency, and deliver a measurable return on investment.

Average duration

Up to 18 months, including assessment period

Ofsted rating

Good | View report

Key skills

This apprenticeship equips employees with the skills and knowledge to support the adoption, customisation and development of AI tools and workflows, driving productivity across teams. They will ensure AI is used effectively, responsibly and efficiently, that subscriptions deliver real value, and that the organisation benefits from a strategic approach to adoption.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

AI Adoption

AI Strategy

Who it's for

An AI Champion within any organisation will be critical in bridging the gap between its strategic vision and its practical implementation. This apprenticeship is ideal for:

The Departmental Optimiser: A team member in a functional department (Sales, Marketing, HR, Accounts). Their mission is to AI-enable their specific field e.g. an HR Champion using AI for sentiment analysis or a Sales Champion using it for lead scoring.
The Digital Lead: This person acts as the go-to for all digital application support. They bridge the gap between buying a tool and using it effectively across the entire business.
The New Entrant (Junior Digital Coordinator): A new hire brought into the organisation specifically to facilitate the rollout of AI tools. They support less tech-savvy staff, acting as a dedicated resource for digital change.
Existing AI Enthusiast/Champion: Someone already experimenting with AI who needs the structured apprenticeship to formalise their skills, ensuring their experiments align with corporate security, ethics, and sustainability policies.

How your organisation benefits

The programme combines technical training with real-world application, ensuring learners add value from day one.

Enhances AI skills and understanding within the business to support strategy
Helps identify opportunities for AI implementation in current and future tasks and workflows
Support career progression and boosts staff retention
Applies learning and measurable impact to your organisation

Eligibility

Regardless of age or prior attainment, anyone can undertake an apprenticeship provided they are learning new skills and are employed in England, in a relevant role. Kaplan will support you to assess the job role suitability as part of your application.

To do this apprenticeship employers may specify that candidates must have at least a grade 4/C GCSE (or equivalent) in maths and English. If apprentices don't have this level of maths and English, Kaplan offers free resources and support to make sure they develop their understanding and application of the subjects by the end of their apprenticeship.

Apprentices typically have one of the following:

GCSEs or equivalent
A Level 2 Apprenticeship
12 months of work experience in the last 24 months if they do not have any other Level 2 qualifications

Learner milestones

This overview outlines the key technical modules and project milestones based on the AI Champion programme.

Months 1-3

AI Foundations for modern working

With a focus on modern AI tools and practices, months one to three develop a solid grounding in the core skills needed to leverage the efficiency and productivity benefits that ethical and responsible use of AI can bring, resulting in a foundational certification in AI.

Key skills:

Understanding AI and data fundamentals.
Mastering prompt and context engineering.
Common AI tool and features.
Identifying and assessing AI potential in business scenarios.
Barriers to AI adoption.
Ethical, secure and responsible use of data and AI.

Months 3-6

Applied AI Skills

Dive deeper into modern AI tools, learning how to integrate into workflows, automate processes and assist in generating solutions to business problems. Learn about diagnosing and resolving issues in AI-based processes and tools. Optionally, obtain an industry recognised certification in the use of AI in business environments.

Key skills:

Application of AI tools and features across a range of business functions, including agentic solutions.
Integrating AI workflows into existing business tools.
Logging, diagnosing, and resolving failures in AI solutions.

Months 6-9

Driving AI Adoption

Learn about the importance of communication and collaboration in successful adoption of AI strategies, ensuring that all levels of the business are aware of the key benefits, efficiency gains, and risks. Develop skills in coaching, training, and supporting colleagues in the use of AI solutions.

Key skills:

Identifying and championing AI opportunities and building business cases.
Management of different stakeholders across a range of levels within the organisation.
Creating documentation and communicating information for different audiences and purposes, including training others via workshops, hackathons, and prompt-a-thons.
Assess the impact of AI-drive changes on colleagues.

Months 9-12

Digital Optimisation

Audit AI-enabled workflows for efficiency and tool drift to ensure that AI features and data sources are updated as versions evolve. Experience solution lifecycles and how to maintain and create documentation to ensure compliance and governance.

Key skills:

Understanding and applying working practices for supporting and administering AI-enabled workflows.
Define and execute continuous improvement, process refinements and optimisation of AI-based systems.

Months 12-15

The Evolving Champion

Evaluate the impact of emerging digital technologies on sustainability and Net-Zero goals. Plan ongoing CPD and maintain AI competency through structured research.

Key skills:

Conduct an AI Sustainability Impact Audit to report back to the organisation.
Complete the compilation of the professional portfolio that consolidates the knowledge, skills, and CPD over the programme.
Demonstrating holistic competence as an AI Champion understanding AI's use cases, benefits, ethical concerns, responsible use, and impact on organisations and the wider world.

At a glance

AI Champion

Level 3 apprenticeship

Funding options

Levy payer

Fully-funded

Non levy payer

95% government funded

Next steps

Looking to train future digital talent? Book a consultation with our expert Kaplan team.

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Unrivalled support

Our apprenticeships are uniquely designed to offer unparalleled support for both employers and learners. We provide expert-led, practical training and simulations that build transferable digital skills and instill a growth mindset - essential for effectively leveraging technology.

Support for employers

Clients benefit from comprehensive support to foster trust and collaboration, ensuring a successful apprenticeship experience.

Dedicated supportNamed client solutions contact and sector expert tutors ensure personalised guidance and relevant training throughout the apprenticeship journey.
Seamless onboardingTransparent application process, recruitment assistance for new vacancies, and clear visibility for line managers via learner portfolio dashboards.
Work-integrated learningApprentices apply skills directly to your organisation, supported by timely, accurate tracking and real-world experience.

Support for apprentices

Apprentices receive robust support, ensuring they have access to the information and resources needed to succeed in their roles.

Comprehensive supportRegular 1:1s with an industry-experienced Talent Coach, tutor access via email, and year-round Student Services support ensures consistent guidance.
Collaborative progress trackingApprenticeship ePortfolio allows for real-time tracking, evidence uploads, communication with coaches, and peer-to-peer learning within a small industry cohort.
Practical and applied learningInteractive lab environments and work-based projects enable apprentices to contextualise and apply skills directly in the workplace.

Why choose Kaplan?

Professional qualifications built in

All apprentices will gain at least one recognised industry-standard qualification in AI with the option to add vendor specific certifications, such as the Copilot 365-based Microsoft Certified AI Business Professional (AB-730).

Expertly designed programmes

We work with industry and subject matter experts to design and deliver our programmes, ensuring they are fit for purpose and meet the specific needs of your organisation.

Immersive, hands-on learning

Small, interactive classes support personalised learning, with simulated labs to build and test practical business analysis skills.

Confident, capable employees

The programme, like all Kaplan programmes, is designed to support learners in increasing confidence to apply skills in the workplace.

Hear from our apprentices

My talent coach’s dedication to my growth and development has been invaluable, and I’m fortunate to have her on this journey.

Chloe Auger

Level 3 ICT apprentice at C.I.KNOW

View case study

An apprenticeship is an amazing opportunity if you want to change fields or progress to a different area in your career.

Monika Wojdasova

Level 3 Data User apprentice at Harris Federation

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Co-created with leaders in their field

Our commitment to excellence is evident in our strategic alliances with best-in-class key partners, bringing decades of leadership and specialist knowledge to every programme. This expertise underpins our rich content and immersive learning labs, driving tangible results.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Level 3 AI Champion apprenticeship programme?

The Level 3 AI Champion is a programme designed to develop high-potential professionals who bridge the gap between technical capability and daily business operations. It provides a hands-on approach to using AI platforms, such as Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, and Google Gemini to enhance workflow productivity.

Who is this programme suitable for and how long does it take?

The Level 3 AI Champion programme is suitable for technically-minded change agents in functional departments (such as Sales, Marketing, HR, Accounts) who are enthusiastic about AI and support the use and rollout of AI tools across their department. The programme takes up to 18 months to complete, including the End Point Assessment period.

How is the apprenticeship funded?

The programme is funded through the Apprenticeship Levy at a cost of £13,000 for levy-paying employers, or a £650 contribution for non-levy payers.

What technical skills are covered?

Learners master AI literacy and ethics, which includes identifying synthetic content and maintaining rigorous data privacy. They also learn AI automation implementation and troubleshooting, such as building persistent automated processes like inbox sorting, using natural language to uncover data insights, and fixing technical problems when AI gives inaccurate results.

How does the Level 3 AI Champion apprenticeship programme benefit my business?

A Level 3 AI Champion apprentice helps your business move from initial experimentation to genuine adoption, ensuring AI is used securely as a strong, ethical tool with key human checks in place. It directly addresses the common challenges of low confidence and underlying distrust that stall AI adoption and value delivery.

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