Access Group invests levy funding to boost more than 100 employees’ AI skills
The Access Group has accelerated its AI transformation by enrolling 115 employees onto three AI apprenticeship programmes, delivered in partnership with QA. The initiative is designed to build layers of AI capability across the organisation, supporting both efficiency and innovation.
Launched during National Apprenticeship Week, the project highlights the crucial role apprenticeship pathways play in empowering organisations and employees across the UK.
Access' approach demonstrates how large employers can use the Apprenticeship Levy strategically, investing in high impact skills that support business wide transformation.
The programmes form a core part of Access’ strategy to embed practical, AI skills across every level of the business. They ensure colleagues can apply AI in their day to day roles, enhance customer service, and contribute to the company’s rapidly evolving software ecosystem.
The new AI apprenticeship programmes create structured development routes for employees ranging from customer facing colleagues to specialist engineers. The three programmes include:
- AI Advocate (Level 3) – building foundational AI literacy and enabling employees to act as AI champions across operational and customer support teams.
- Databricks Engineer (Level 5) – equipping data professionals to transform raw data into actionable insights using the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform.
- AI Engineer (Level 6) – developing advanced engineering capability to design, build and deploy scalable generative AI and machine learning solutions.
Jon Jorgensen, Chief Executive at The Access Group, said:
“This week, we’re proud to launch our first AI focused apprenticeship programmes, in partnership with QA. We believe skills like AI shouldn’t be limited to people with computer science degrees – they should be democratised and accessible to anyone with curiosity and ambition.”
Bogdan Moldovan, Support Manager at The Access Group, said:
“The programme has been a real game changer already, with improved performance and efficiency and learners across the business seeing and feeling the impact.
“Team members are more motivated and customer focused because they feel they are truly growing in their capacity and capabilities. The new AI skills have helped us resolve cases faster and work more efficiently, supporting our goal of closing support cases within 48 hours.”
Current learners echo this value, with one colleague stating:
“The programme has helped me develop new problem solving skills and connect with people across the business. I’m excited to use AI to create smoother customer journeys and improve communication with clients.”
Jo Bishenden, Chief Learning Officer at QA, said:
“AI is transforming every organisation, but unlocking its benefits depends on people having the right skills and confidence to apply it responsibly and effectively. Our partnership with Access Group shows how apprenticeships can build AI capability at scale.”