Choose the approved unit that fits a real leadership capability gap, understand the funding route and give the learner the time and workplace support needed to complete it.
Updated 15 July 2026. Funding examples use the rules for starts from 28 April to 31 July 2026; check the version applying on the actual start date.
For leaders setting direction, identifying evidence-based opportunities, assessing viable use cases and building stakeholder support.
For leaders evaluating solutions, shaping adoption decisions and establishing defensible governance, assurance and oversight.
For leaders overseeing implementation, workforce change, ongoing operational risk and AI system performance.
All three were approved on 21 April 2026, with an earliest start date of 28 April 2026. Each is a separate unit and should be selected against a specific role and learning need.
| Your priority | Likely unit | Questions to test the fit |
|---|---|---|
| Set direction and find worthwhile AI opportunities | AU0009 | Does this learner influence strategy, use-case priority or investment recommendations? |
| Choose solutions and strengthen governance | AU0010 | Does this learner evaluate vendors, adoption risk, assurance or oversight? |
| Deliver change and manage ongoing performance | AU0011 | Does this learner lead transformation, workforce change, monitoring or incident response? |
Do not start with a course title and search for a learner. Start with the decisions the employee already owns and the new capability they need.
Write down the decisions, risks or transformation responsibilities the learner needs to handle better. Use this to choose between strategy, adoption/governance and delivery.
The learner must be employed and aged 19 or over. Their leadership role needs enough autonomy to apply technology-enabled change or inform investment decisions. A provider should test role fit and prior learning, not rely on job title alone.
Expect at least 30 delivery hours. Funded delivery means live tutor and learner presence, physically or virtually, during normal working hours but outside productive job activity. Confirm the timetable, start and end dates, outcomes and assessment format.
Each unit has a £750 maximum. Check whether the employer is non-levy, has sufficient levy account funds, or needs levy co-investment. The employer pays any price above the maximum.
Release the learner for planned delivery during working hours. After the mandatory skills test, validate that they have gained and can apply the unit's new knowledge and skills, then complete the employer sign-off.
The rules can change between funding periods. Ask the provider to identify the exact rules version applying to the learner's start date before a purchase order or commitment is approved.
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AU0009, AU0010 and AU0011. Each is Level 5, requires at least 30 delivery hours and has maximum funding of £750.
No. Skills England lists it as withdrawn and gives it no earliest start date. Do not approve it for a new learner.
Employed people aged 19 or over in qualifying leadership roles with sufficient autonomy to apply the learning. The provider must also establish a genuine learning need.
The maximum is £750. For April–July starts, non-levy employers are government-funded to the rate. Levy employers use account funds; if those are insufficient, government pays 95% and the employer pays 5% to the rate. Check start-date rules.
Validate the learner's new workplace knowledge and skills after the provider skills test and sign completion with the learner and provider.
Use the learner's real decision scope to choose the right approved reference.