Automation & AI apprentice
Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council
Greater Manchester (OL16 1XU)
Closes in 20 days (Monday 8 June 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 18 May 2026
Contents
Summary
Launch your career in digital transformation with our AI and Automation Practitioner Apprenticeship. Work with experienced ICT professionals to develop AI and automation solutions that improve services and efficiency, while gaining valuable skills, hands-on experience, and a recognised qualification.
- Wage
-
£25,583 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Apprentices are paid for the first 12 months, £25,583 and £25,989 for the remaining months of the contract
- Training course
- Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation practitioner (level 4)
- Hours
-
37 flexible working hours in accordance with the needs of the service. Shifts to be confirmed.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 4 months
- Positions available
-
3
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Principal Duties:
- Identify opportunities for automation to drive operational improvement and cost savings. Advocate for responsible implementation, balancing the pursuit of efficiency with fairness, transparency, and a commitment to supporting workforce wellbeing
- Provide input into the implementation of AI and automation solutions that extend beyond low-or no-code platforms. Collaborate when needed with technical teams such as architects and leads to enable the successful delivery of automation opportunities
- Simplify processes and design workflows that exploit AI and automation working with services and business analysts as relevant
- Evaluate available AI, automation tools and platforms
- Configure and adapt low-or no-code tools to solve problems and drive efficiencies
- Apply AI automation solutions to add value. For example, chatbots, summarisation, and automation platforms such as cloud SaaS and PaaS services
- Develop, document and test integrated digital workflows. Produce documents to meet audience requirements such as technical and end-user materials
- Provide training and or user guides for adopted tools, adapting content and format to audience needs
- Monitor and refine automations incorporating feedback from end- users to improve
- Measure and report on productivity, efficiency and value improvement savings
- Ensure personal compliance and support stakeholders with digital ethics, security, and privacy including governance, auditing, explainability, and documentation of decision-making
- Keep up to date with AI automation trends, opportunities, and risks to inform current and future practice
Secondary Duties:
- To participate in Council programmes of in-service training as a trainee and when required as a trainer or facilitator. Mentor engineers and support their development as is required
- To undertake such other duties and responsibilities of an equivalent nature as may be determined from time to time by the Service Head (or nominated representative) in consultation with the post-holder (and if he/she so wishes, with his/her Trade Union representative)
- ICT operates in a matrix management environment with both people (line) managers and assignment managers (for work), the post holder must be willing to work in this way when required
- Undertake training and development to enhance existing skills, as and when required by your manager
- Keep up to date with departmental and Council information, by attending meetings, seminars, reading appropriate communications and discussions with colleague
Where you'll work
Number One Riverside
Smith Street
Rochdale
Greater Manchester
OL16 1XU
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
VELOCITY 1ST LIMITED
Training course
Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation practitioner (level 4)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Review, establish, follow and or amend policies and procedures on data and information security.
- Follow ethical, responsible and safe working practices respecting confidentiality and sensitive organisational matters.
- Undertake analysis to identify if automation is viable. Including assessing risks such as data quality, process maturity and unintended consequences of AI automation projects, such as the impact on job roles.
- Engage with non-technical staff to understand their roles, responsibilities, and concerns when automation solutions are proposed and implemented. Adapt approach to support workforce needs when implementing solutions that impacts the workforce.
- Support with the introduction, adaption, and implementation of change. Contribute to constructive dialogue between leaders and employees about the adoption of AI and automation solutions.
- Review and complete workflow and process mapping to identify problems or inefficiencies and recommend solutions including pilots, incremental changes and scaling opportunities.
- Use automation design tools to suit the organisational context to configure, adapt and implement solutions for example Zapier, Make and Power Automate.
- Create and refine prompts for AI tools, using iterative testing to achieve accurate and useful outputs.
- Apply analytical and computational techniques using tools and datasets to design, evaluate, and optimise automation solutions.
- Integrate AI and automation technologies to collect, process, and manage data effectively, enabling intelligent and efficient system operation.
- Design, integrate, and test digital workflows and AI automation tools using APIs, connectors, or low-or no-code integration methods.
- Iterate solutions based on testing and feedback to ensure reliability, security, accessibility, and alignment with organisational needs.
- Identify opportunities to deliver automation. Support leaders in integrating ethical, empathetic approaches when decision-making.
- Support in the identification and evaluation of opportunities for increased productivity. For example, use of low-or no-code tools, streamlining processes and use of AI platforms.
- Make evidence based suggestions to support governance, outcomes and facilitate improvement for example cost benefit analysis.
- Report on productivity and efficiency savings and the opportunities for automation and where applicable when automation does not improve experience or processes.
- Contribute to sustainable and efficient AI and automation solutions.
- Support with the delivery of training to technical and non-technical user groups or audiences adapting content and format responding to feedback and organisational context.
- Contribute to the creation and or adaption of resources such as user guides, training materials, process documents to meet user requirements.
- Work collaboratively to deploy AI and automation strategies. Support where required to deal with the impact of automation for example retraining, redeployment, or upskilling of affected staff.
- Undertake data analysis, preparation, and conversion to support automation solutions.
- Present and communicate information including the translation of technical concepts into accessible materials to support clear dialogue with stakeholders.
- Work with others to achieve agreed outcomes or outputs. Provide evidence-based analysis and insight to leaders on the likely human impacts of automation projects.
- Use project management principles, techniques and tools to support the development of clear, balanced communications and briefings, articulating both opportunities and risks.
- Keep up to date with existing, evolving, emerging technologies and sector trends in AI, automation and technology including methods to evaluate vendor and supplier solutions.
- Apply ethical and human-centred design principles when scoping, developing, and deploying automation and AI solutions, underpinned by robust governance.
- Apply technical understanding to help align business needs with technical capabilities, supporting the development of solutions that are scalable, efficient, and aligned with the organisation’s strategic objectives.
- Undertake assurance activities to evidence responsible AI and automation, including maintaining clear documentation of design and decision-making, contributing to risk assessments, and applying assurance frameworks to support compliance with organisational, regulatory, and ethical standards.
- Apply algorithmic impact assessment and workforce equality monitoring techniques when scoping, implementing, and reviewing AI and automation projects. Gather and analyse relevant workforce data, identify potential equality risks, and contribute evidence-based recommendations to support fair and inclusive adoption.
- Review, establish, follow and or amend policies and procedures on data and information security.
- Follow ethical, responsible and safe working practices respecting confidentiality and sensitive organisational matters.
- Undertake analysis to identify if automation is viable. Including assessing risks such as data quality, process maturity and unintended consequences of AI automation projects, such as the impact on job roles.
- Engage with non-technical staff to understand their roles, responsibilities, and concerns when automation solutions are proposed and implemented. Adapt approach to support workforce needs when implementing solutions that impacts the workforce.
- Support with the introduction, adaption, and implementation of change. Contribute to constructive dialogue between leaders and employees about the adoption of AI and automation solutions.
- Review and complete workflow and process mapping to identify problems or inefficiencies and recommend solutions including pilots, incremental changes and scaling opportunities.
- Use automation design tools to suit the organisational context to configure, adapt and implement solutions for example Zapier, Make and Power Automate.
- Create and refine prompts for AI tools, using iterative testing to achieve accurate and useful outputs.
- Apply analytical and computational techniques using tools and datasets to design, evaluate, and optimise automation solutions.
- Integrate AI and automation technologies to collect, process, and manage data effectively, enabling intelligent and efficient system operation.
- Design, integrate, and test digital workflows and AI automation tools using APIs, connectors, or low-or no-code integration methods.
- Iterate solutions based on testing and feedback to ensure reliability, security, accessibility, and alignment with organisational needs.
- Identify opportunities to deliver automation. Support leaders in integrating ethical, empathetic approaches when decision-making.
- Support in the identification and evaluation of opportunities for increased productivity. For example, use of low-or no-code tools, streamlining processes and use of AI platforms.
- Make evidence based suggestions to support governance, outcomes and facilitate improvement for example cost benefit analysis.
- Report on productivity and efficiency savings and the opportunities for automation and where applicable when automation does not improve experience or processes.
- Contribute to sustainable and efficient AI and automation solutions.
- Support with the delivery of training to technical and non-technical user groups or audiences adapting content and format responding to feedback and organisational context.
- Contribute to the creation and or adaption of resources such as user guides, training materials, process documents to meet user requirements.
- Work collaboratively to deploy AI and automation strategies. Support where required to deal with the impact of automation for example retraining, redeployment, or upskilling of affected staff.
- Undertake data analysis, preparation, and conversion to support automation solutions.
- Present and communicate information including the translation of technical concepts into accessible materials to support clear dialogue with stakeholders.
- Work with others to achieve agreed outcomes or outputs. Provide evidence-based analysis and insight to leaders on the likely human impacts of automation projects.
- Use project management principles, techniques and tools to support the development of clear, balanced communications and briefings, articulating both opportunities and risks.
- Keep up to date with existing, evolving, emerging technologies and sector trends in AI, automation and technology including methods to evaluate vendor and supplier solutions.
- Apply ethical and human-centred design principles when scoping, developing, and deploying automation and AI solutions, underpinned by robust governance.
- Apply technical understanding to help align business needs with technical capabilities, supporting the development of solutions that are scalable, efficient, and aligned with the organisation’s strategic objectives.
- Undertake assurance activities to evidence responsible AI and automation, including maintaining clear documentation of design and decision-making, contributing to risk assessments, and applying assurance frameworks to support compliance with organisational, regulatory, and ethical standards.
- Apply algorithmic impact assessment and workforce equality monitoring techniques when scoping, implementing, and reviewing AI and automation projects. Gather and analyse relevant workforce data, identify potential equality risks, and contribute evidence-based recommendations to support fair and inclusive adoption.
Training schedule
- Velocity apprenticeship training programmes are delivered virtually by our fully qualified and industry experienced training team
- Using their expert knowledge, they will provide the skills necessary to succeed in the workplace and to expand future career prospects
- Throughout the apprenticeship, learners receive coaching, help and guidance from a dedicated team who are there to ensure they get the most from their programme
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade A*-C/ 9-4)
- Maths (grade A*-C/ 9-4)
Desirable qualifications
Other in:
Computer Science, Data Science or Mathematics (grade n/a)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
About this employer
Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council is a local authority serving the borough of Rochdale, committed to delivering high-quality public services that support residents, communities, and businesses. The organisation focuses on improving outcomes through innovation, partnership working, and inclusive, user-centred approaches, with a strong emphasis on community wellbeing, equality, and sustainable development.
After this apprenticeship
- The role offers long term security and the opportunity to progress into a permanent position
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
VELOCITY 1ST LIMITED
Ivana
ivana@velocity-academy.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000032207.
Apply now
Closes in 20 days (Monday 8 June 2026 at 11:59pm)