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Getting your manager on board

Your manager needs to agree to release about 6 hours a week of your working time and to join a few meetings. We give you what you need for that conversation, and we can speak to your manager directly.

What managers usually ask

How much time? About 6 hours a week, in working hours, including a fixed 2-hour live session each week. "Off-the-job hours" sets out how the rest is spent.

How long? 15 months of learning, then about 3 months for the end-point assessment (the final assessment). Data & AI Strategy's assessment timing may differ; your coach explains it.

What does it cost? You pay nothing. What your employer pays depends on your age and whether it pays the Growth & Skills Levy. See "What a funded programme costs".

Does it fit the job? Your job needs to regularly involve the work the programme covers. Your coach confirms this with you and your manager before you start.

What if I leave partway? There is no financial penalty for your employer. See "What a funded programme costs".

What your manager and employer commit to

  • Releasing your learning time and giving you real work to apply it to.
  • Joining a pre-start meeting with you and your coach (about an hour).
  • Joining a progress review with you and your coach every 12 weeks.
  • Signing your training plan and reviews.
  • Your employer signing an agreement with us and registering on the government's apprenticeship service. We guide HR through it.

What to send your manager

  • Material for managers. Your admissions rep can send you information written for your manager.
  • A project idea. Before you start, you and your manager agree a larger piece of work your monthly projects can build towards, such as redesigning how your team uses AI. It helps to have an idea in mind when you first talk to your manager.
  • An offer of a call. Your admissions rep can speak to your manager directly.

Learning outside work hours

Your learning happens in working hours. "Off-the-job hours" explains the rare exception.

If your manager or HR says no

You need your employer's agreement to join. Tell your admissions rep what the concern was; they may be able to answer it with your manager.