Tier 1 Power Platform Specialist Apprentice

Summary

The apprentice will join Vantage 365 Consultancy as a full member of the delivery team, supporting our specialists on live customer projects while working towards a recognised apprenticeship qualification and Microsoft certifications. No prior technical experience is required or expected.

Wage

£16,000 a year

£16,000 to £18,000 a year, reviewed on completion

Training course

Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation practitioner (level 4)

Hours

09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Wednesday 30 September 2026

Duration

1 year 8 months

Positions available

1

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

The apprentice will learn, and then to apply, the skills needed to build Microsoft Power Platform solutions for our customers.

Responsibilities will build over the course of the apprenticeship. In the early months these tasks will be closely supervised, moving towards independent delivery with review.

• Build and amend business applications using Microsoft Power Apps, working with canvas apps first and model-driven apps later in the programme.
• Create and maintain automated business processes using Microsoft Power Automate.
• Work with structured business data in Microsoft Dataverse and SharePoint Online.
• Build reports and dashboards using Microsoft Power BI.
• Test solutions built by colleagues and identify defects before they reach a customer.
• Write and maintain clear technical documentation for customers and colleagues.
• Attend customer calls, requirements workshops and project delivery sessions, observing at first and contributing as confidence grows.
• Complete all assigned tasks within agreed timescales and raise any obstacle early.
• Complete off-the-job learning, coursework and assessments set by the training provider within the required timescales.
• Work towards Microsoft certifications, beginning with PL-900 Power Platform Fundamentals.
• Follow Vantage 365 processes and procedures, including timesheet and task updates.

Where you'll work

4 Harbour Buildings
Waterfront West, Dudley Road
Brierley Hill
DY5 1LN

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

THE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER LTD

Training course

Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation practitioner (level 4)

What you'll learn

• 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 AI or automation solutions, such as conversational agents, text processing AI, workflow automation platforms and cloud based SaaS or PaaS.
• 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 AI or automation solutions, such as conversational agents, text processing AI, workflow automation platforms and cloud based SaaS or PaaS.
• 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

AI & Automation Practitioner Level 4 Apprenticeship Standard: 

The successful candidate will undertake a 20 Month, nationally recognised qualification through TDM. This is a work-based learning programme which will require commitment to block weeks in an online training room once every quarter.

You will be required to demonstrate through the standard that you meet all competencies and behaviours, which will lead to the achievement of the qualification.

You will have a designated mentor in the workplace to support your learning and at the end of programme will be assessed via an external assessment body. 

This is a Level 4 qualification. 

Develop the skills to identify business inefficiencies and implement AI-powered automation solutions that improve productivity, reduce manual tasks, and streamline operations. Apprentices will learn how to analyse workflows, integrate digital tools, and design low-code/no-code automation solutions using technologies such as Microsoft Copilot, Power Automate and Power Apps.

Key Modules:

1. Strategic and Ethical Adoption of AI Automation

2. Solution Design, Development and Iteration

3. Governance, Assurance and Continuous Improvement

4. Stakeholder Engagement, Workforce Enablement and E-Portfolio

More training information

Skills and behaviours we will develop:

• Technical capability: Technical delivery across the Microsoft Power Platform and Microsoft 365.
• Problem definition: Working out what a customer actually needs, which is rarely what they first ask for.
• Communication: Explaining technical concepts clearly in writing and in conversation.
• Documentation: Producing documentation that outlives the project it was written for.
• Time management: Prioritising work, meeting deadlines and flagging slippage early.
• Growth mindset: Embracing challenge, showing resilience, learning from others and welcoming feedback.

Performance expectations:

These are the milestones we will support the apprentice to reach. They describe what success looks like, not a set of hurdles.

By the end of month six

• Makes supervised changes to an existing Power App and tests them properly before handover.
• Builds a straightforward Power Automate flow from a written specification.
• Writes documentation a colleague can follow without needing to ask a follow-up question.
• Holds a short customer conversation without a senior colleague in the room.

By the end of month twelve

• Builds a simple canvas app end to end from a defined requirement, with review rather than supervision.
• Understands how data is structured in Dataverse and SharePoint well enough to make sensible design choices.
• Produces a basic Power BI report from a defined dataset.
• Holds PL-900 certification.

By completion:

• Delivers small pieces of customer work independently and bills against them.
• Contributes in customer workshops rather than only observing.
• Holds PL-200 (or equivalent) Power Platform certification or equivalent.
• Is ready to move into a permanent Tier 1 Power Platform Specialist role.

Vantage 365 is a Microsoft Solutions Partner, and Vantage 365 Training is an accredited Microsoft training provider delivering around 140 courses. Teaching this technology is a business for us, not a side project.

• Allocated learning time each week, in working hours, in addition to off-the-job training with the training provider.
• Microsoft certifications funded in full by Vantage 365. These remain with the individual for life.
• A named mentor from the first day.
• An envisioning session within the first few weeks, to agree together what the individual wants their career to look like.
• Access to the wider Vantage 365 group, including consultants, trainers and support specialists.

Even with the learning time provided, keeping pace with Microsoft technology requires some personal time. Everyone in the business does this and we are open about it at the point of hire.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4 or above)
• Mathematics (grade 4 or above)

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
• Customer care skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Reliability

Other requirements

Experienced staff at Vantage 365 work a hybrid pattern. For this role, we require attendance in the Brierley Hill office [four to five] days a week for at least the first six months, moving to a hybrid pattern thereafter.

This is deliberate. Most of what an apprentice learns in the first year comes from working alongside colleagues rather than from formal instruction, and that is difficult to replicate remotely.

The office is in Brierley Hill, near Merry Hill. It is served by bus but is not on a rail line. Candidates should consider the practicality of the daily commute before applying.

We would rather be clear at the outset than have someone discover this in month three.

• You want to write traditional code full time. This is a low-code platform role.
• You would prefer not to speak to customers. A significant part of this job is conversation and written communication.
• You are looking for a course with a work placement attached. This is a job, with customers, deadlines and responsibilities from early on.
• You are uncomfortable making mistakes in front of other people. Everyone here does, nobody is made to feel small about it, but it will happen.

Vantage 365 is an equal opportunities employer. We recruit on attitude and ability, and we welcome applications from every background. Reasonable adjustments are available at every stage of the recruitment process and in the role itself. Please tell us what you need.