AI Short Courses
Great solution for organisations looking to address immediate skills needs. Learners gain practical experience with AI tools and techniques they can apply immediately in the workplace.
AI Leadership Apprenticeship Units
DEFINE. GOVERN. TRANSFORM.
Build the leadership capability needed to define AI strategy, govern adoption responsibly and deliver sustainable organisational transformation.
Discussing report
WHAT ARE AI LEADERSHIP UNITS?
AI Leadership Units are short, flexible training programmes designed for business leaders, senior managers and decision makers looking to drive successful AI adoption from the top of their organisations.
Designed as standalone learning units rather than a full apprenticeship, AI Leadership Units focus on practical topics such as developing an AI adoption strategy, establishing AI governance frameworks, identifying opportunities for responsible AI and ethics, and leading organisational change. Each unit helps build the AI literacy for leaders needed to make informed decisions about AI adoption, while covering model risk management AI and how to govern AI responsibly.
Each AI Leadership Unit includes 30 hours of learning, which can be completed either over a one-week period or as one day a week for five weeks. This flexible format gives business leaders and senior managers a practical way to develop skills without the commitment of a longer training programme.
AI LEADERSHIP UNITS AT A GLANCE
30 Guided Learning Hours
Expert-Led Masterclasses
Assessment Included
Study One or More Units
CHOOSE YOUR AI LEADERSHIP UNIT
AI STRATEGY & VALUE
AI STRATEGY & VALUE
Strategy & Value helps leaders understand AI’s organisational impact, align opportunities with business goals, assess risks and navigate the strategic factors that drive successful adoption.
View Full Unit DetailsRISK & RESPONSIBILITY
RISK & RESPONSIBILITY
Risk & Responsibility helps leaders evaluate AI solutions, assess risks and establish governance. Participants explore accountability, ethics and compliance to support responsible adoption.
View Full Unit DetailsCULTURE & CHANGE
CULTURE & CHANGE
Culture & Change explores the leadership of AI-enabled transformation, helping participants assess workforce impact, organisational readiness and approaches to supporting adoption across teams.
View Full Unit DetailsWhich AI Leadership Unit Is Right for Your Team?
Each AI Leadership Unit develops a different aspect of AI leadership capability, helping organisations build the skills needed to define strategy, govern adoption and lead organisational change. Select a unit below to explore who it’s designed for and the practical outcomes leaders will achieve.
Happy CEO introducing himself to group of business seminar attendees at convention center.
AI Strategy & Value
Ideal for
Business leaders responsible for identifying AI opportunities, shaping strategy and aligning AI with organisational goals.
You’ll be able to
- Identify where AI can create measurable value for your organisation.
- Align AI opportunities with business strategy and organisational priorities.
- Evaluate potential AI initiatives, risks and investment decisions.
- Build the foundations of an organisation-wide AI strategy.
- Make informed decisions about where AI should, and shouldn’t, be adopted.
business-meeting-with-colleagues-discussing-projec-2026-01-09-10-22-27-utc
Risk & Responsibility
Ideal for
Leaders responsible for governance, procurement, compliance, risk or AI decision-making.
You’ll be able to
- Establish practical governance frameworks for AI adoption.
- Evaluate AI solutions with greater confidence and accountability.
- Navigate AI risk, ethics, compliance and procurement considerations.
- Make informed decisions around responsible AI implementation.
- Build trust in AI through effective oversight and governance.
Senior CEO talking to her young colleagues while using laptop during the meeting.
Culture & Change
Ideal for
Transformation leaders, department heads and senior managers leading organisational change.
You’ll be able to
- Lead AI-enabled organisational change.
- Prepare teams for new ways of working with AI.
- Build workforce confidence and encourage responsible AI adoption.
- Embed AI successfully across teams, processes and business functions.
- Turn AI strategy into sustainable organisational transformation.
What you Need to Know about AI Leadership Units
As organisations adopt AI, leaders need the knowledge and confidence to evaluate opportunities, manage risk and support change.
These AI Leadership Units help develop the skills needed for clear AI strategy, responsible governance, and successful AI adoption.
AI Leadership Units are designed for business leaders, senior managers and organisational decision-makers responsible for strategy, transformation, governance and innovation. They are particularly relevant for leaders who are helping to shape how AI is adopted within their organisation and who need the confidence, knowledge and frameworks to make informed decisions. This makes them an ideal AI leadership training solution for non-technical leaders, department heads driving AI transformation, and decision-makers responsible for AI adoption.
Whether you’re exploring AI opportunities, developing an AI adoption strategy, evaluating governance requirements or preparing teams for organisational change, the units provide practical leadership development that can be applied immediately within the workplace. Typical participants include:
- Heads of Department
- Transformation Leads
- Operations Leaders
- Innovation Managers
- Governance and Risk Leaders.
These AI leadership courses for managers help build the AI strategic co-thinker skills needed at every level.
AI Leadership Units are designed for employed professionals aged 19 and over who are working in a leadership, management or decision-making role within their organisation.
Participants should have the responsibility and autonomy to influence organisational priorities, support change initiatives or contribute to decisions around technology, innovation and investment. The units are intended for leaders who are helping to shape how AI is adopted within their organisation.
The AI Leadership Units are delivered through live, expert-led virtual masterclasses designed to fit around leadership responsibilities and organisational priorities. Each unit includes 30 hours of guided learning, practical activities and assessment, helping participants develop the skills needed to lead successful AI adoption.
Organisations can choose between two delivery models. The Five-Week Leadership Masterclass Series is delivered as one day per week over five weeks, allowing time for reflection and application between sessions. Alternatively, the Accelerated Delivery Model delivers the same learning across five consecutive days, providing an immersive experience for organisations looking to build expertise quickly and accelerate AI transformation initiatives.
Yes. Each AI Leadership Unit can be completed independently, allowing leaders to focus on the area most relevant to their role, responsibilities and organisational priorities. Organisations may choose to complete a single unit, combine multiple units or progress through the full Define → Govern → Transform pathway.
Different members of a leadership team can also attend different units depending on their area of responsibility. For example, a leader responsible for AI governance may focus on Risk & Responsibility, while a transformation lead may benefit most from Culture & Change. This flexible approach allows organisations to build targeted AI leadership skills while creating a clear pathway for wider organisational development.
AI Leadership Units will be funded through the Growth and Skills Levy, in the same way that apprenticeship programmes are currently funded.
The introduction of Apprenticeship Units gives organisations a more flexible way to access targeted skills development in priority areas without committing to a full apprenticeship programme. This allows employers to build capacity in specific areas of organisational need while continuing to make use of available levy funding.
If you’re unsure how the Growth and Skills Levy applies to your organisation, our team can provide guidance on eligibility, funding options and the most appropriate route for accessing AI Leadership Units.
Business team sitting by the table with laptop and documents in office
Why Business Leaders Need AI Skills
AI adoption is already happening across organisations, often without a clear strategy, governance framework or plan for organisational change.
While teams experiment with AI tools and technologies, many leaders lack the confidence, knowledge and frameworks needed to evaluate opportunities, manage risks and guide adoption effectively. As a result, organisations can struggle to move beyond isolated experimentation and turn AI investment into meaningful organisational impact. Leaders need to understand how to lead AI transformation and build AI readiness for senior staff across the business.
The challenge is no longer whether organisations should engage with AI. It’s how leaders can adopt it strategically, govern it responsibly and embed it successfully across the organisation. This is why funded AI leadership training and government funded AI leadership course options like the AI Leadership Apprenticeship Units are so valuable for employers looking to upskill their senior teams.
WITHOUT STRONG AI LEADERSHIP, ORGANISATIONS RISK:
Fragmented AI adoption
Different teams adopt different tools without a shared strategy or governance framework.
Increased organisational risk
Poor oversight can lead to compliance, security and ethical challenges.
Missed business value
AI investments fail to deliver measurable impact when opportunities aren’t aligned to business priorities.
Workforce resistance to change
Without clear leadership, employees lack the confidence and direction needed to adopt AI successfully.
The AI Leadership Challenge
AI adoption is accelerating, but leadership readiness isn’t always keeping pace. The latest research highlights a growing gap between AI investment and organisations’ ability to lead AI effectively, reinforcing the need for leaders who can define strategy, govern adoption and drive organisational change.
34%
Of UK organisations planning to adopt AI feel ready to implement it [DSIT, AI Adoption Research, 2026]
66%
Of boards have limited or no AI knowledge [Deloitte, Governance of AI Report, 2025]
68%
Of UK businesses cite limited AI skills as their biggest barrier to adoption [DSIT, AI Adoption Research, 2026]
77%
Of global organisations say AI adoption is outpacing governance capabilities [IBM, Tech Leader Study, 2026]
Ready to Build AI Leadership Capability?
Complete the form and a member of our team will be in touch in the next 48 hours.
AI Apprenticeships
Develop in-house AI, data and automation expertise to promote digital transformation.
AI-Enhanced Programmes
Data, digital and tech apprenticeships enhanced with relevant AI modules.
AI Apprenticeship Units
Shorter learning units designed for managers to build AI skills quickly.
AI Training Courses
Applied AI training that equips teams with practical skills they can use straight away.
Baltic’s AI Training Pathway
Our AI training pathway is designed to help organisations develop AI skills across different roles and departments, supporting a coordinated approach to workforce development.
Level 3 AI Enablement
Ideal for employees looking to build confidence using AI in their day-to-day role. Learners develop the fundamentals of AI, responsible AI use, and practical ways to improve everyday work.
Level 4 AI & Digital Transformation
Designed for professionals responsible for improving processes and driving change. Learners identify AI opportunities, improve workflows and support digital transformation across the organisation.
Level 4 AI for Business Automation
Perfect for professionals focused on improving operational efficiency. Learners design AI-powered workflows, automate business processes and implement practical AI solutions.
AI Leadership Apprenticeship Units
Created for managers and leaders shaping AI strategy. Participants develop the skills to lead AI adoption, establish governance and build an AI-ready organisation.
AI Leadership Apprenticeship Units FAQs
Apprenticeship Units are focused learning programmes developed from apprenticeship standards. They allow organisations to access targeted training in specific subject areas without committing to a full apprenticeship programme.
Designed around employer priorities, units provide practical, role-relevant development that can be delivered quickly and applied immediately within the workplace. They offer a flexible way to build competence in key areas while addressing specific organisational challenges and opportunities.
Apprenticeship Units provide focused learning in a specific subject area, allowing organisations to develop targeted skills without committing to a full apprenticeship programme. They are designed to address particular organisational needs and can be completed as standalone learning experiences.
A full apprenticeship programme provides broader occupational competence and typically takes place over a longer period. Apprenticeship Units offer a more flexible approach to AI leadership development and AI skills development, helping organisations build proficiency in priority areas such as AI strategy, governance and organisational transformation.
No. The AI Leadership Units are designed as AI leadership training for business leaders, senior managers and decision-makers rather than technical AI specialists.
The focus is on helping leaders understand AI opportunities, evaluate risks, establish governance frameworks and support organisational change. Participants do not need prior experience of developing AI systems or working in technical AI roles to benefit from the programme.
No. Each AI Leadership Unit can be completed independently, allowing leaders to focus on the area most relevant to their role and organisational priorities.
While the units have been designed to form a structured Define → Govern → Transform pathway, organisations can choose to complete a single unit, combine multiple units or progress through all three depending on their objectives and current stage of AI adoption.
Yes. Each AI Leadership Unit includes an assessment designed to evaluate understanding and application of the knowledge covered throughout the programme.
Assessment takes place following delivery and provides participants with the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of key concepts relating to AI strategy, governance and organisational transformation.
The AI Leadership Units have been developed from new Apprenticeship Units introduced by the UK Government to support targeted skills development in priority areas.
The three units are:
- AI Leadership: Strategy and Opportunity
- AI Leadership: AI Adoption, Procurement and Governance
- AI Leadership: AI Delivery and Organisational Transformation
These government-backed units have been designed to help organisations build leadership capability in AI strategy, governance and organisational transformation.
Yes. The AI Leadership Units are designed to support organisational AI leadership development and can be completed by multiple leaders from the same organisation.
Different members of a leadership team may choose to attend different units depending on their responsibilities. For example, a governance lead may focus on Risk & Responsibility, while a transformation lead may benefit most from Culture & Change. This flexibility allows organisations to build AI leadership expertise where it is needed most while creating a shared understanding of AI adoption across the leadership team.
DSC07894
Your AI Capability Partner
At Baltic Apprenticeships, we help organisations build AI capability at every level, from leadership development and AI Skills Consultations to apprenticeship programmes and practical workforce training.
For more than 15 years, we’ve worked alongside employers to develop the digital skills their organisations need to grow, while helping thousands of learners build rewarding careers in technology. As an Ofsted Outstanding training provider, we’re applying that same expertise to support organisations as they develop the leadership skills needed for successful AI adoption.
Whether you’re developing senior leaders, upskilling teams or exploring where AI can create value, Baltic can support your organisation with the training, insight and guidance needed to move forward with confidence.
Explore AI at Every Level