Data Architect/Engineer Apprenticeship Level 4 - ONS - EO

We are the Office for National Statistics (ONS) the UK’s largest producer of official statistics, covering a range of key economic, social and demographic topics. These include measuring changes in the value of the UK economy, estimating the size, geographic distribution, and characteristics of the population, and providing indicators of price inflation, employment, earnings, crime and migration. 

If you are interested in an exciting career in data and technology and want to become a highly skilled tech professional, we are seeking 5 people who are passionate about data and technology to join our Data Architecture/engineering teams on an apprenticeship programme.  If you are looking for a career change, or perhaps a school leaver looking at alternatives to full-time class-based learning this may be the perfect opportunity for you.

We are looking for candidates who want to make the most of data, love a challenge, and want to make a real difference in the quality of National Statistics. You do not have to be skilled in data architecture, or engineering as full training will be provided, along with a nationally recognised qualification through an apprenticeship provider. 

• Do you have a desire to learn how to translate technical concepts into non-technical language and to learn what communication is required between internal and external stakeholders?  
• Do you have a desire to learn how to undertake data profiling and source-systems analysis and how to present clear insights to support the end use of data? 
• Would you like to find opportunities for innovation with new tools and uses of data? 
• Do you have a desire to learn the concepts and principles of data modelling as well as a desire to learn how to read and maintain relevant data models for specific business needs, working under direction? 
• Would you like to learn how to work with metadata repositories to maintain the repository to ensure information remains accurate and up to date? 

Then we'd like to hear from you. 

Please note - We will be holding a candidate information session on Thursday 16th January at 12:00 noon. If you're interested in finding out more please join here. 

Job description

As a Data Architect/Engineer Apprentice, you will study towards a Level 4 apprenticeship and combine your job and hands-on experience with virtual learning and will include one to-one with tutors and mentors, tutorials, and research projects. 

You will work with appropriate technologies as a Data Architect/ Engineer apprentice, you’ll gain the technical expertise to take your career in an exciting new direction. By the end of the apprenticeship, you will have achieved an industry-standard qualification and have the skills to progress your career in line with your aspirations. 

What qualifications will I get? 

The programme will be 2 years and will be delivered by assigned external training providers. The apprenticeship will support apprentices to develop their capability in both data architecture and data engineering. As well as training and support from the external training providers you will have support from a dedicated, highly experienced data engineering mentor. 

All apprentices who successfully meet the scheme's milestones will receive a Level 4 Diploma. 

You will gain experience to help you work towards your qualification, as well as attending formal training and other development opportunities that will consist of 20% off the job learning. 

You will develop other skills that will aid you in the workplace, such as organisation, communication, the ability to work under pressure, teamwork, and lots more, giving you a real and valuable insight into the industry. 

Responsibilities (Note: You will not be responsible for all of these at any one time, rather over several rotations and over two years and with support). 

• Identify, collect, and migrate data to/from a range of internal and external systems. 
• Use a range of analytical techniques such as data mining, time series forecasting and modelling techniques to identify and predict trends and patterns in data. 
• Assist with data quality checking and cleansing and how to resolve issues. 
• Assist production of data visualisation including performance dashboards and reports. 
• Summarise and present the results of data analysis to a range of stakeholders 
• Data Modelling 
• Data/database management and standards; 
• Profiling/Data quality and Presentation of data; 
• Application of coding standards. Write clear and well documented code in Python using industry and organisational best practices 
• Business Analysis/ User requirements validation; 
• Matching and linking of datasets using statistical matching techniques; 
• Become familiar with Cloud developments and technology.

Part-time candidates will be considered for this role, providing that they work no less than 30 hours per week. This is according to guidelines set out by the apprenticeship providers and business needs.  

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Can manage own workload, and work effectively as part of a team, to ensure deadlines or outputs are met. 
• Can analyse information or evidence from a variety of sources to draw conclusions and inform decision making. 
• Can communicate complex or technical ideas, both in writing and verbally, to stakeholder with differing levels of knowledge or experience. 
• Identifies opportunities to make improvements and gets the support of relevant people to implement the changes. 
• Takes opportunities to develop own skills and share knowledge with colleagues. 

Standard eligibility criteria for apprenticeships apply: 

• You must reside in England or Wales.  
• You must have been at least 16 years old by 31st August 2024 
• You must not already have an equivalent qualification of the same type, content, and level (or higher). (Example computer science degree) 
• You must not be in full time education or undertaking another apprenticeship at the same time. 
• You should hold a GCSE in Maths and English at Grade C or above, an equivalent qualification, or relevant experience in lieu of a qualification may be considered. 

*The training provider makes the final decision on whether funding can be provided per person and the job offer will be made on the condition that funding is available. 

Qualifications

To apply for this apprenticeship, you need to have either qualifications or relevant experience in this field:

GCSEs in Maths and English at Grade C or above.

or

Relevant experience - learners will be considered for entry based on previous experience and will be invited to a functional skills test.

Standard eligibility criteria for apprenticeships still apply and any specific programme entry criteria listed above.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• IKM assessment: This assessment is to test your aptitude to develop capability as Data Engineers/ Architect, you will not need prior coding knowledge as this is to assess your baseline capabilities.