AI leadership – AI adoption, procurement and governance
Build the leadership capability to evaluate AI solutions properly, make better procurement decisions, and put the governance, assurance and oversight in place for responsible adoption.
Delivery
Online
AI leadership – AI adoption, procurement and governance Apprenticeships in Hitchin
As the location of our head office, Hitchin sits at the heart of how we deliver the {{programmeName}} apprenticeship across Hertfordshire and the Southeast, supporting both employers and learners in this thriving business community.
Hitchin is home to a growing network of professional services firms, accountancy practices, technology businesses and data driven organisations, creating strong and ongoing demand for Artificial Intelligence professionals. From companies based in Hitchin town centre and local office hubs, to employers operating across Letchworth, Stevenage and Baldock, many organisations rely on Artificial Intelligence apprentices to keep their financial systems, digital platforms and operational reporting running smoothly.
The AI leadership – AI adoption, procurement and governance apprenticeship is ideally suited to Hitchin based employers who want to build long term capability within their Artificial Intelligence teams. Apprentices develop practical, workplace focused skills that align directly with the way modern businesses in Hertfordshire operate.
Because our head office is in Hitchin, employers and apprentices in the area benefit from direct access to our delivery, learner support and employer engagement teams, ensuring a high-quality, responsive apprenticeship experience from enrolment through to completion.
We also work with apprentices living in Stevenage, Letchworth Garden City, Baldock, Royston and Welwyn Garden City, making Hitchin a central and highly connected location for AI leadership – AI adoption, procurement and governance apprenticeships across the region.
All AI leadership – AI adoption, procurement and governance apprenticeships in Hitchin are delivered through a blend of remote learning, online workshops and structured workplace training, meeting the 20% off-the-job training requirement while allowing apprentices to remain fully embedded in their roles.
If you are based in Hitchin or the surrounding area and are considering a AI leadership – AI adoption, procurement and governance apprenticeship, our local team can guide you through how delivery works, funding options, and the next steps to get started.
Why train in East of England?
Solveway partners with leading Artificial Intelligence employers across the East of England area, offering local mentorship and networking events near you to ensure you build a professional network right where you live.
Overview
The AI leadership – AI adoption, procurement and governance apprenticeship unit is a new Level 5 programme for employed adults aged 19 and over who are working in leadership roles and are responsible for shaping, influencing or supporting decisions about the adoption of AI systems within their organisation. It is designed for people who need stronger capability in evaluating AI options, developing business cases, and governing AI adoption responsibly.
This unit is especially relevant where organisations are moving beyond general interest in AI and need to make sound decisions about tools, suppliers, procurement routes, governance, assurance and oversight. It helps leaders understand not just what AI can do, but how to adopt it in a way that is structured, lawful, transparent and aligned to organisational priorities.
This is not a technical build programme. It is designed for leaders who need to assess solutions, challenge supplier claims, understand acquisition risk, put governance in place and make sure AI systems are introduced with the right safeguards, accountability and human oversight.
What You'll Learn
You’ll build the knowledge and judgement needed to lead AI adoption well, with a strong focus on evaluation, procurement, governance and responsible decision-making. This unit covers:
- AI solution and vendor evaluation: assessing options using structured criteria such as cost, performance, risk and data readiness.
- Procurement and acquisition decisions: making better decisions using testing, benchmarking and user validation.
- Adoption risk: understanding issues such as vendor lock-in, data risk, IP considerations, sustainability and third-party dependency.
- Governance frameworks: defining roles, responsibilities, escalation routes and practical governance approaches for AI use.
- Ethical, legal and regulatory decision-making: embedding responsible AI considerations into organisational choices and approval processes.
- Assurance and compliance: strengthening documentation, auditability, transparency and structured risk assessment.
- Human oversight: designing effective oversight mechanisms so AI systems support, rather than replace, appropriate human judgement.
- Stakeholder engagement and alignment: helping non-technical colleagues understand roles, responsibilities and concerns as AI adoption develops.
Assessment & EPA
Because this is an apprenticeship unit, it does not use the traditional mandatory EPA model used on many full apprenticeships. The minimum assessment requirement is a skills test delivered by Solveway, which the employer then validates to confirm the learner has been successful.
Career Progression
This unit is best positioned as leadership capability development rather than a promise of one fixed next job title. It strengthens the skills needed to evaluate AI solutions, govern adoption well and support responsible organisational decision-making around AI systems.
Typical progression or application areas could include:
- AI adoption lead
- AI governance lead
- Digital transformation manager
- Innovation or change lead
- Operations leader with responsibility for AI or automation decisions
- Programme or project lead for AI-enabled change
- Senior leadership roles with oversight of procurement, governance, assurance or technology investment.
Ready to apply?
Applications are open for the next intake. Takes less than 2 minutes to register your interest.
Check Eligibility
Do you have the Right to Work in the UK & been resident for 3+ years?
Are you currently studying another funded qualification?
You cannot be funded for two apprenticeships/courses simultaneously.
Do you have grades A*-C (9-4) in GCSE Maths & English?
If no, Functional Skills will be included in your programme.
Full Entry Requirements
Level 5 apprenticeships build on existing knowledge and professional experience.
Applicants will typically:
- Hold a Level 4 qualification in a relevant subject or demonstrate significant industry experience
- Be working in a role with increased responsibility or technical depth
- Have strong employer support and the ability to apply learning at a higher level
- Have the right to work in the UK
- Have lived in the UK or EEA for the last three years (for funding eligibility)
- Not be studying another funded qualification at the same time
Entry requirements may vary by programme and employer. All applicants will complete an initial assessment to confirm suitability and ensure the apprenticeship is the right level and fit.
For Employers
This unit helps employers build stronger leadership capability for AI adoption without relying on a long, full-apprenticeship format. It is designed for organisations that need leaders to make better decisions about AI tools, suppliers, procurement, governance and oversight, while keeping adoption practical, responsible and aligned to business needs.
- More structured evaluation of tools and vendors using evidence-based criteria such as cost, performance, readiness and risk.
- Greater confidence in choosing suppliers and solutions based on testing, benchmarking and validation rather than marketing claims.
- Better-defined roles, responsibilities, escalation routes and governance approaches for responsible AI adoption.
- Stronger documentation, transparency, auditability and structured risk assessment around AI use.
- More informed consideration of issues such as vendor lock-in, data and cyber risk, IP implications, sustainability and third-party dependency.
- More effective safeguards to ensure AI systems are governed appropriately and used with the right level of human judgement and control.
- Leaders who can engage stakeholders clearly, explain decisions credibly and support responsible organisational adoption of AI.
Ready to launch your career?
Don't wait to start your future. Our apprenticeship programmes are in high demand. Apply today to check your eligibility and take the first step towards a successful career.
Hybrid Learning: Available Nationwide
Our hybrid apprenticeship model allows us to deliver high-quality training to employers and learners across England.