Public Sector AI for Smarter Work Programme

The Level 3 Digital Support Technician Apprenticeship develops employees who can help organisations use digital tools, productivity software and artificial intelligence (AI) effectively in everyday work. Participants learn how to diagnose issues, support colleagues and improve workflows using modern workplace technologies.

It also develops the human-centred skills needed to apply these tools well, including communication, collaboration and supporting colleagues to adopt new ways of working.

The Public Sector AI for Smarter Work Programme, delivered through the Level 3 Digital Support Technician Apprenticeship, is informed by the University of Birmingham’s 2024 21st Century Public Servant research, which highlights the importance of being data curious and digitally comfortable, communicating in different ways, working across services and building strong relationships in complex public service environments.

The programme translates these priorities into practical development by helping employees use AI tools effectively while strengthening communication, collaboration, judgement and support for colleagues in everyday public service work.

The Public Sector AI for Smarter Work Programme, delivered through the Level 3 Digital Support Technician Apprenticeship, develops practical capability to use AI tools, automation and digital technologies to improve everyday work across public services. Participants learn how to identify opportunities to use AI copilots, improve digital workflows and support colleagues using modern workplace technologies.

Participants also strengthen communication, collaboration and judgement, helping them support adoption and improve how work gets done across teams and services.

Yes. The Level 3 Digital Support Technician Apprenticeship is increasingly relevant for organisations looking to build workplace capability that combines digital confidence with strong people and team-based skills.

As well as building practical AI and digital productivity capability, the programme also develops core human-centred and management-related skills such as communication, collaboration, problem solving and supporting others — making it highly relevant for team-based roles in modern public service organisations.

The Level 3 Digital Support Technician Apprenticeship is suitable for employees who want to use digital tools and AI technologies more effectively in their work. Typical participants include operational and administrative staff, service and customer support teams, digital champions and employees helping to improve workflows across services.

It is especially valuable in public service roles where people combine digital capability with communication, collaboration and support for colleagues across teams and services.

No. The Level 3 Digital Support Technician Apprenticeship is designed for employees who use digital tools in their work rather than software engineers or data scientists. Participants learn how to apply AI tools and automation to improve productivity without needing advanced coding skills.

The focus is on practical workplace use, including clear communication, good judgement and supporting others using digital tools.

Yes.

The Level 3 Digital Support Technician Apprenticeship is fully fundable at £13,000 through the Apprenticeship Levy for eligible organisations.

The programme sits within the government apprenticeship funding system, allowing organisations to use levy funds to build AI capability and digital productivity across the workforce.

The programme runs for 12 months, followed by the End-Point Assessment (EPA) which normally takes around 4–6 weeks.

Participants typically commit around four hours per week of protected learning time, alongside applying learning directly in their role.

This ensures development strengthens day-to-day performance rather than competing with work.

Participants achieve the Level 3 Digital Support Technician Apprenticeship, aligned with the national occupational standard. They also gain Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals certification, demonstrating practical understanding of AI tools.

This builds both digital capability and the confidence to use AI tools effectively in real work.

Many AI training courses focus on technical subjects such as programming or data science. The Level 3 Digital Support Technician Apprenticeship focuses on applying AI tools in everyday work, including improving productivity, automating routine tasks and supporting colleagues.

It also develops the human-centred skills needed to make improvements work in practice, including communication, collaboration and supporting adoption.

Many public sector organisations are introducing AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot, but employees often lack the confidence to use them effectively. The Level 3 Digital Support Technician Apprenticeship helps build practical AI capability across teams so employees can improve workflows, productivity and digital ways of working across services.

It also strengthens the human-centred capability needed to embed AI successfully, including helping colleagues, improving communication and supporting smarter ways of working.