Level 6
Senior Compliance & Risk Specialist
The Level 6 Senior Compliance & Risk Specialist apprenticeship with the Credit Services Association (CSA) is designed for experienced professionals ready to step into senior, strategic compliance and risk leadership roles. Built by sector experts for regulated environments, the programme develops advanced capability in managing complex regulatory frameworks, responding to regulatory change and providing trusted advice to senior leaders and boards. Firmly work based, apprentices apply learning in real time to drive measurable organisational impact. Delivered by an award-winning specialist provider, the apprenticeship combines expert tutor support, structured development and a respected professional qualification, strengthening credibility and leadership authority in compliance and risk roles.
Apprenticeship Outcomes
Outcome for Employers
Employers develop senior compliance and risk specialists capable of operating with authority in complex regulatory environments. Apprentices strengthen analysis, challenge and assurance activity, supporting effective governance, control improvement and risk-informed decision making. Learning is applied directly to live organisational priorities, improving resilience to regulatory change, strengthening oversight and supporting succession planning for senior specialist and leadership roles.
Outcome for Learners
Learners build advanced professional judgement, strategic thinking and ethical leadership capability within compliance and risk. The apprenticeship supports progression into senior specialist, advisory or leadership roles, strengthening credibility through a nationally recognised Level 6 apprenticeship and the opportunity to complete an International Compliance Association Diploma in Governance, Risk and Compliance or Anti-Money Laundering.
As a trade association in a heavily regulated sector, our Code of Practice is the benchmark for industry best practice and we work closely with the Financial Conduct Authority and other regulators to ensure that it guarantees the highest compliance standards. All financial services organisations have to meet a wide range of compliance and risk requirements set out in legislation.
To meet these requirements many organisations will have dedicated risk and compliance departments that are experts in the relevant legislation and regulatory requirements. They provide proactive support and guidance to the business areas to ensure that the organisation meets this wide range of requirements, balanced against achieving appropriate customer outcomes.
We draw on our industry expertise to offer the Apprenticeship Levy funded Level 6 Senior Compliance Risk Specialist Apprenticeship Standard to employers looking for a cost effective way to up-skill new or existing employees on a career pathway in this business-critical area. The programme covers the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required to carry out the role at a senior level including:
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Drawing on technical expertise to provide high quality, ethical input and advice to the business.
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Identifying and dealing with complex compliance and/or risk related issues.
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Implementing new policies and procedures to meet legal and regulatory requirements.
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Influencing senior management and other key stakeholders.
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Specific technical knowledge required for different roles are covered by flexible specialist options
Advanced compliance and risk frameworks, governance, and organisational control.
Interpretation and implementation of legal, regulatory, and policy requirements.
Analysis of complex issues, controls, themes, and emerging risks.
Influencing stakeholders, advising the business, and supporting senior decision makers.
Strategic thinking, professional judgement, and ethical leadership.
Specialist application within the learner's role and employer context.
This apprenticeship is best suited to experienced compliance and risk practitioners, specialists, advisors and managers with ownership of complex work. It is particularly relevant to second-line functions, financial crime, conduct and control teams, enterprise risk environments and other heavily regulated operations where high-level judgement, influence and professional credibility are essential.
An award-winning learning and development specialist and an Approved Apprenticeship Training Provider, CSA Learning supports firms and employers to train, improve and assess their workforces in our specialist areas including credit, debt collection, compliance, counter-fraud, trading standards and governance.
CSA provides employers with training to reskill existing staff, as well as a means of introducing new employees to your company and sector. Our tutors are all specialists in their fields, with learner feedback consistently highlighting the exceptional standard of workshop delivery.
| Key Information |
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Length of CourseTypically 30 months plus up to 5 months end point assessment |
Number of Modules8 Modules including the Professional Qualification |
QualificationICA International Diploma in Governance, Risk and Compliance ICA International Diploma in Anti Money Laundering |
Funding£23,000 (No cost if Levy funded) |
CSA blended learning deliveryTutor-led, interactive workshops delivered via Teams, with face-to-face delivery available for groups of 8 and more. |
View our other case studies and testimonials
Explore real stories from our customers, from school leaver apprentices to long term staff developing their knowledge.
Our track record
of our apprenticeship employers state that their staff come out of our apprenticeships more skilled than when they went in.
of our apprenticeship employers believe that our ability to provide the right training at the right time is a key strength.
of our apprentices highlight our ability to prepare them for success in their future careers.
Access additional funding when hiring an apprentice
Receive a hiring payment of up to £2000
From 1 October 2026, eligible non-levy paying employers may be able to receive a hiring payment of up to £2,000 when recruiting a new apprentice aged 16 to 24.
The payment forms part of the Government's plans to increase the number of young people starting apprenticeships and can help reduce the cost of recruitment while supporting future workforce development.
Commonly asked questions
If you still have any questions please reach out to us and we will be happy to help.
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What apprenticeship funding is available to businesses?
Apprenticeship funding in England is available to all employers, regardless of size. The amount an employer contributes depends on whether they pay the Apprenticeship Levy, the age of the apprentice, and whether levy transfer funding is used.
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What is the Apprenticeship Levy?
The Apprenticeship Levy applies to employers with an annual pay bill of over £3 million. These employers must contribute 0.5% of their payroll into a digital apprenticeship account, which can be used to pay for apprenticeship training and end point assessment.
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How can levy paying employers use their funds?
Levy paying employers can:
1. Use levy funds to pay for apprenticeship training and end point assessment by funding apprentices of any age or level
2. Transfer up to 50% of unused levy funds to other employers (such as SMEs) – see transferring levy FAQ
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What happens if all of the funds in the digital account have been spent?
If all of the levy funds in the digital account have been spent the employer contributes to 25% of the remaining training costs, and the government contributes 75%, up to the funding band (see question on funding bands).
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Are any apprenticeships fully funded for employers?
Yes. Apprenticeship training is 100% government funded where the apprentice is aged 16–21, or, aged 22–24 and has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or has been in local authority care.
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What are the apprenticeship funding bands?
Each apprenticeship standard has a funding band, which sets the maximum amount the government will contribute towards training and assessment. Funding bands range from £1,500 to £27,000. Employers agree the final price with the training provider and any cost above the funding band must be paid by the employer.
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What is levy transfer funding?
Levy transfer funding allows large employers to transfer unused levy funds to other organisations.
The transfer can cover up to 100% of training and assessment costs (within the funding band).
This is particularly beneficial for SMEs and is widely used to support apprenticeships across supply chains and sectors
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Are there any employer incentive payments?
Yes. For some apprenticeship standards, including foundation apprenticeships, employers may be eligible for incentive payments of up to £2,000. Eligibility depends on the apprenticeship standard and the age of the apprentice.