Business Explorer - AI Expert Apprentice - Manchester

Business Explorer: AI Expert Degree Apprentice Programme

Location – Manchester

Start date - 7th September 2026

Apply by Date – 22nd February 2026

Salary - £23,810

What you’ll be doing

Millions rely on us every day to power their lives and businesses. We connect people to possibilities and tackle real world challenges with technology - from improving customer experiences to securing critical services. We’re growing our AI capabilities and we’re looking for curious problem solvers who love turning data into decisions. If you enjoy spotting patterns, learning to write code, and testing ideas with evidence, this is where you’ll make a difference.

About the programme

Join our AI Expert degree apprenticeship and build the skills to design, train and deploy ML (machine learning) solutions that create value for customers and colleagues. You’ll earn while you learn, get a dedicated buddy and manager support, rotating across teams working on live problems with measurable impact.

Learn job specific skills

You will gain nationally recognised degree level 6 qualification covering areas such as:

• AI & Machine Learning Engineering
• Data Engineering & Analytics
• Gen AI
• AI Ethics & Compliance
• AI Governance & Operations
• Critical Thinking & Pattern Recognition

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

During this programme, you’ll work in key areas such as below work as part of team to become expert-level data and AI talent:

• AI Adoption & Enablement – helping shape, test and improve ML models, data pipelines, or automation solutions.
• Data & Insights – partnering with product, operations or customer facing teams to understand real problems AI can help solve.
• Customer Experience – trial and build AI assistants and knowledge tools to enable frontline or sales teams; capture feedback and measure value.
• Transformation Programmes – contribute to change initiatives, tracking outcomes and risks, and presenting recommendations that stick.
  
  

As an AI Expert apprentice, you’ll study for recognised apprenticeship (Level 6 AI/ Machine Learning Engineer).  You’ll spend a minimum of 20% of your time learning and studying.  After you have successfully completed your apprenticeship qualification and scheme, we’ll look to support you in securing a role that is best aligned to your strengths and interests.

What we’re looking for

• Curiosity & Continuous Learning – You love exploring new tech, asking sharp questions, and levelling up your skills.
• Adaptability – Change doesn’t faze you. You’re comfortable navigating ambiguity and trying new approaches.
• Collaboration – You work well with others and make complex ideas feel simple and human.
• Logical Problem Solving – Numbers, patterns and analytical thinking come naturally to you.
• Proactive Energy – You take initiative, spot opportunities, and make things better.
• Ethical Awareness – You use data and AI responsibly and always choose the right thing over the easy thing.

Duration of the programme – 30 Months

Entry Requirements

5 GCSE’s at grade 4-9 Including Maths and English or SCQF 5

2 A Level’s in STEM subjects –– grade C or SCQF Level 6 

All applicants will need a full UK Right to Work for the duration of 30 months of their scheme without this we cannot accept an application. Unfortunately do we not offer sponsorship for any of our Early Career roles.

Accessibility Support for all candidates  - BT Early Careers Accessibility - Updated Jan 26.pdf

What’s in it for you?

• Huge discounts on EE & BT products including your Mobile and Broadband – saving you hundreds of pounds every year.
• Online GP – Giving you access to a GP via telephone or video 24/7 for both you and your immediate family, fully funded by us.
• Market leading paid carer’s leave, up to 2 weeks off for carers to give that bit of extra support to our colleagues who are caring for family or friends who are disabled, ill or elderly.
• Enhanced women’s health support: including help with menopause symptoms, cancer screenings, period care and more.
• Support in carving your own career path. We are passionate about developing our people and we’ll support you to achieve the career you want.
• Volunteering days, so you can give back to your local community.
• Optional Private Healthcare and Dental, to protect you and your family.

Ready to Apply

It's easy to apply online; just tell us about your details and current education. If successful, you will then complete 5 text based questions and 1 video question.  After this you will attend an in person assessment centre and have the chance to ask any questions you might have. 

Internal candidates will have to take on Terms & Conditions of the Apprentice role including salary and benefits.

BT Group will never ask for payment during recruitment.
All genuine BT Group communications come from @bt.com emails or jobs.bt.com. Our Security and Legal teams are investigating and working with the authorities to stop this activity.
Let’s look out for one another and keep our job-seeking community safe. We look forward to receiving your application! 

About us

BT Group was the world’s first telco and our heritage in the sector is unrivalled.  As home to several of the UK’s most recognised and cherished brands – BT, EE, Openreach and Plusnet, we have always played a critical role in creating the future, and we have reached an inflection point in the transformation of our business. 
 
Over the next two years, we will complete the UK’s largest and most successful digital infrastructure project – connecting more than 25 million premises to full fibre broadband.  Together with our heavy investment in 5G, we play a central role in revolutionising how people connect with each other. 
 
While we are through the most capital-intensive phase of our fibre investment, meaning we can reward our shareholders for their commitment and patience, we are absolutely focused on how we organise ourselves in the best way to serve our customers in the years to come.  This includes radical simplification of systems, structures, and processes on a huge scale. Together with our application of AI and technology, we are on a path to creating the UK’s best telco, reimagining the customer experience and relationship with one of this country’s biggest infrastructure companies.  
 
Change on the scale we will all experience in the coming years is unprecedented.  BT Group is committed to being the driving force behind improving connectivity for millions and there has never been a more exciting time to join a company and leadership team with the skills, experience, creativity, and passion to take this company into a new era.

A FEW POINTS TO NOTE:

Although these roles are listed as full-time, if you’re a job share partnership, work reduced hours, or any other way of working flexibly, please still get in touch.

We will also offer reasonable adjustments for the selection process if required, so please do not hesitate to inform us.

DON'T MEET EVERY SINGLE REQUIREMENT?

Studies have shown that women and people who are disabled, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse or from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification and criteria. We're committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where everyone can be their best, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement on the Job Description, please apply anyway - you may just be the right candidate for this or other roles in our wider team.

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