At a Glance
- Tasks: Help collect user requirements and build data engineering capabilities.
- Company: Join DWP Digital, leading the UK's digital transformation.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and a pathway to a tech career.
- Other info: 21-month apprenticeship with strong support and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on millions while developing your skills in data.
- Qualifications: 5 GCSEs including Maths and English; programming skills preferred.
Overview
We are leading the digital transformation of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - the UK\'s biggest government department. At DWP Digital, you\'ll be part of a diverse, vibrant community, where you\'ll be empowered to develop your skills and try new things at the cutting-edge of your industry. You can build a stimulating and fulfilling career, full of interesting challenges and plenty of opportunities to grow. The area is on the front of delivering the Department\'s transformation strategies and we need Data Engineers to help us succeed. Data plays a crucial role in driving the Department\'s decision making, bettering outcomes for citizens and enabling us to meet business needs and deliver value quickly on critical data products and services that make a positive impact on millions of people\'s lives. In this role, you\'ll be part of the Data Platforms and Operations team, within the Data & Analytics business function. The team is structured into data domain teams to enable close collaboration and a deeper understanding of the service and to deliver the right data to our users. Our teams build and maintain cloud data platforms that power the department\'s data capabilities, partnering with DWP business lines to deliver reliable, discoverable, governed, high quality data.
Responsibilities
As an Apprentice Data Engineer, you will help collect upstream user technical requirements that need to be implemented as part of platform migrations and configuration. You will help identify and provide technical patterns and guidance, assist in building our data engineering capability and ensure our data products and pipelines are built using the right techniques for ingesting, preparing, storing and using data. You will work with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Informatica, covering Data Integration (ETL/ELT), Data Quality, Data Catalogue and Data Virtualisation and Visualisation technologies. You will develop your knowledge, working to established engineering standards across multiple platforms and native toolsets, and work to implement these standards across platforms and assist in keeping them up to date, ensuring adherence to them.
Do you have an appetite for learning? Are you interested in the world of Data? Do you have strong analytical and problem-solving skills? We are looking for candidates who are detail-oriented and flexible in responding to changing priorities. Good time management skills are essential. You should enjoy tackling challenges with determination and be able to take appropriate action quickly and confidently. You will be a confident communicator with good programming skills and eager to learn new technologies.
Qualifications
You must have at least one of the following: a valid passport or birth certificate or residence permit; have the right to live and work in the UK; must have lived in the UK and/or EEA for 3 years prior to apprenticeship start date or hold refugee status; not be in full-time education or be undertaking another apprenticeship by the apprenticeship start date; you must not hold an existing qualification at the same or higher level in a similar subject; you must hold 5 GCSEs including Maths and English at Grade 4 (C) or above.
You are also required to have one, or any of the following: two A levels in one or more similar subjects (similar subjects can be defined here as: Computer Science, IT, Maths, Data Engineering, Analytics, Statistics); Level 3 apprenticeship in a similar subject (similar subjects can be defined here as: Computer Science, IT, Maths, Data Engineering, Analytics, Statistics, any digital aligned apprenticeship i.e. IT operations, support or security); International Baccalaureate at Level 3 in a similar subject; BTEC Extended Diploma in a similar subject; Experience with programming languages (such as Python); OR equivalent work experience in a similar subject-related role; Level 4 Data Analyst qualification. Please note the following: candidates must not hold an existing qualification at the same or higher level than this apprenticeship in a similar subject; if you are applying on a part-time basis, you are required to do a minimum of 30 hours per week as this role combines work and studies.
Disability Confident About Disability Confident: A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to .
Duration and Support
The duration of the apprenticeship programme is typically 21 months long. You\'ll be supported by your line manager, skills coach and the engineering community, as well as fellow apprentices on the programme, so you will have plenty of encouragement to help you succeed. It\'s also critical that you can be proactive and make the most out of your time on the apprenticeship. There is a lot to do and learn, so you need to be ready to work hard and participate in the many opportunities you\'ll be given. This is a fantastic chance to build a software engineering career at DWP and become a highly skilled tech professional.
Data Engineer - Level 5 Apprenticeship in Birmingham employer: DWP Digital
At DWP Digital, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Data Engineer Apprentice, you'll benefit from comprehensive support throughout your 21-month programme, with opportunities for personal and professional growth while contributing to meaningful projects that impact millions of lives. Join us in a vibrant community where your skills will be nurtured, and your contributions valued, all within the UK's largest government department.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Engineer - Level 5 Apprenticeship in Birmingham
✨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 DWP Digital.
✨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 DWP Digital and show them you’re genuinely passionate about the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Engineer - Level 5 Apprenticeship in Birmingham
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 DWP Digital 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 DWP Digital
✨Brush Up on the Basics
Before your interview with DWP Digital, 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 DWP Digital. 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!
