At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as an Apprentice Data Engineer and help improve data systems for road safety.
- Company: Work with the DVSA, making a real difference to millions of lives.
- Benefits: Earn a competitive salary, enjoy 25 days leave, and benefit from a generous pension.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a positive team culture await you!
- Why this job: Gain a Level 5 qualification while working hands-on with data in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must have 5 GCSEs including English and Maths, and some programming experience.
The predicted salary is between 30485 - 30485 £ per year.
This Apprenticeship combines working and learning, in a great opportunity where you’ll earn a salary, get work experience, and finish the apprenticeship with a Level 5 Qualification in Data Engineering – which you won’t have to pay a penny for! We will provide a fully paid 24 month Apprenticeship to help you gain a Level 5 qualification specialising in Data Engineering and provide hands on working experience.
Day to day, as an Associate Data Engineer, you will help the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) gather, organise, and use data effectively. You will work in a busy environment alongside experts in policy, data analysis, software development, IT, and business analysis to support the agency’s data needs and drive improvements based on solid data insights. You’ll spend 20% of your working week studying with lots of support from Data Engineers, your line manager and Apprenticeship provider. You’ll be working with an organisation that serves millions of people, making a real difference to road safety and protecting the British public.
Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King's birthday.
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work‑life balance.
The Associate Data Engineer works under the guidance of data engineers and Head of Data Engineering to help the Data Engineering team deliver and improve data systems using cloud services like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure. Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:
- Ensure work aligns with agreed methodologies (including Agile/Scrum) so that the team maintains consistency, promotes collaboration, and delivers iterative, high‑quality work.
- With the support of a senior data engineer, provide input to the technical assurance of proposed IT solutions to ensure they meet design expectations, fulfil business requirements, and adhere to best practices.
- Document the design/technical specifications in response to agreed user requirements to enable clear communication among stakeholders and maintain consistency for current and future implementations.
- Learn and execute data profiling techniques and source system analysis to understand dataset structures, quality, and potential issues for more informed decision‑making.
- Support the implementation of data operations processes so that data integrity is maintained, efficient data flow is achieved, and reliable business insights are supported.
- Study data quality frameworks and best practices to help establish robust processes that ensure high‑quality data essential for accurate analysis and decision‑making.
- Help implement basic data pipelines to automate the movement, transformation, and loading of data into systems for seamless integration and analysis.
- Practice writing clean and maintainable code to promote software sustainability, reduce technical debt, and make future maintenance and extension easier for the team.
Person specification:
- Adaptability and Learning: Quick learner, open to learning new technologies. Knowledge or awareness in one of the following: Computer Science, Information Technology, Networking, or Software Engineering or similar.
- Communication and Teamwork: Adaptable to changing and evolving teams.
- Time Management and Prioritisation: Basic task management and tracking. Ability to prioritise tasks.
- Soft Skills and Attitude: Willingness to learn from others. Positive problem‑solving approach.
Eligibility:
- 5 GCSEs including English and Maths at Grade 4 (C) or above, or equivalent.
- Experience of a Programming Language such as Python.
- Be aged 18 or over.
- Have the right to work in the UK.
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for DVSA, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Apprentice Data Engineer in Oldham
✨Get Involved in Data Science Communities
Dive into online forums like Kaggle or GitHub where data science enthusiasts hang out. Participating in competitions or contributing to open-source projects can really make you stand out and show off your skills!
✨Tap Into University Resources
Your uni career services are gold mines for apprenticeships! Attend any workshops or career fairs they host; you might just bump into employers looking to scout fresh talent for programmes like the one at DVSA.
✨Work on Real-World Data Projects
Create your own data science projects or collaborate with classmates on interesting datasets. This not only sharpens your skills but also gives you something to showcase during interviews, setting you apart from the competition.
✨Show Off Your Passion
Don’t just rely on formal applications! Write blog posts about your data science journey or share insights on social media. This can catch the eye of DVSA and show them you’re genuinely passionate about the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Apprentice Data Engineer in Oldham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Relevant Skills:For a data science apprenticeship, make sure to highlight your skills in statistics, programming (especially Python or R), and data visualisation tools. Mention any relevant projects or coursework where you've applied these skills, even if it’s just in a school setting!
Tailor Your Motivation:In your cover letter, focus on why you want to dive into data science specifically. Share how this apprenticeship aligns with your career goals and learning aspirations. Remember, this is about showing us at DVSA that you're eager to learn and grow in the data field!
Portfolio Power!:Even if it's an apprenticeship, having a small portfolio of your data projects can set you apart. Include any analyses, visualisations, or data science-related tasks you’ve completed, whether on your own or as part of your studies. This shows that you've got hands-on experience, which is super appealing.
Keep It Relevant and Concise:Your CV should be focused and relevant – keep it to one page if possible! Tailor it for the data science role by including specific coursework, skills, and any experience with data handling. If you’ve done any data-related activities in clubs or competitions, throw those in too—every bit counts!
How to prepare for a job interview at DVSA
✨Brush Up on the Basics
Before your interview with DVSA, we need to nail down the fundamentals of statistics and machine learning. As an apprenticeship candidate, they’ll be keen on your understanding of key concepts—so make sure you can talk about linear regression, classification, and maybe even some hands-on work with tools like Python or R.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring any portfolios or projects you've worked on that highlight your data analysis skills. Even if they're for school or personal projects, being able to demonstrate how you approached a problem, analysed data, and derived insights will give you a leg up. Don't just talk about the data—show them what you've done with it!
✨Get Comfortable with Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions that test your problem-solving skills! You might be asked to explain how you would approach a specific dataset or solve a classic data challenge. Practise explaining your thought processes clearly, as this will showcase your analytical abilities as well as your ability to communicate complex ideas.
✨Emphasise Your Willingness to Learn
As an apprentice, your eagerness to learn is your biggest asset. Be prepared to discuss what you're looking to gain from the apprenticeship at DVSA. Whether it's mastering new programming tools or applying theoretical knowledge to real-life problems, let them know you're all about growing your skills and contributing to the team!
