At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Data Team to analyse data and support decision-making.
- Company: First Choice Homes Oldham, a community-focused organisation.
- Benefits: Earn while you learn with 30 days holiday and a pension scheme.
- Other info: Diverse workplace committed to equal opportunities and personal growth.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in data with hands-on experience and training.
- Qualifications: Interest in data and technology; no prior expertise required.
Location: Oldham
Salary: National Apprenticeship Wage (or FCHO Apprentice Rate)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Training provider: Kaplan – Level 4 Data Apprenticeship
Turn your interest in data and technology into a career. Are you curious about how data can help organisations solve problems, improve services and make better decisions? First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) is looking for an enthusiastic Data Apprentice to join our Data Team. This is an exciting opportunity to earn while you learn, gaining a nationally recognised Level 4 data qualification through Kaplan while developing practical experience within a busy and ambitious organisation.
You’ll work alongside experienced data, business intelligence and technology professionals, helping FCHO improve the quality, management and use of its data. You’ll learn how to turn information into meaningful insights that support better decisions and improved outcomes for our customers and communities.
About the role
Working within our Data Team, you’ll support colleagues from across the organisation to collect, manage, understand and use data effectively. You’ll learn how to:
- Analyse and interpret data to identify trends, risks and opportunities
- Support the production and validation of management information and performance reports
- Create reports and visualisations using Power BI
- Develop your understanding of SQL and data engineering tools, including Microsoft Fabric
- Help improve data quality across FCHO systems
- Investigate data issues and support corrective action
- Work with colleagues to understand their reporting and information requirements
- Support the development of data definitions, catalogues and governance processes
- Document data flows, systems and business processes
- Carry out root cause analysis to understand why issues are happening
- Prepare data literacy guidance and training materials
- Support digital transformation and customer experience improvement projects
- Translate business requirements into practical data and technology solutions
As your knowledge and confidence develop, you’ll have the opportunity to produce routine reports, dashboards and datasets independently and contribute to wider data governance, reporting and analytics projects. Throughout your apprenticeship, you’ll complete learning, assignments and assessments through Kaplan while applying your learning to real projects at FCHO.
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for someone who:
- Has a strong interest in data, technology and digital services
- Enjoys solving problems and investigating how things work
- Can think critically and pay close attention to detail
- Is curious and confident asking questions
- Has clear written and verbal communication skills
- Can explain information in a straightforward and accessible way
- Enjoys working collaboratively with different people and teams
- Is organised, reliable and committed to learning
- Has some experience using Microsoft 365 applications, particularly Excel
- Can identify opportunities to improve processes through data or automation
- Is committed to successfully completing their Level 4 apprenticeship
You don’t need to be an expert in data or coding before you apply. We’re looking for someone with the right attitude, a genuine interest in the subject and the motivation to develop their technical skills.
Entry requirements
You’ll need to meet the entry requirements for the Level 4 Data Apprenticeship delivered by Kaplan. You’ll need one of the following:
- Two A Levels, an International Baccalaureate or another Level 3 qualification, such as a BTEC Extended Diploma
- A completed Level 3 apprenticeship
- At least 12 months of work experience gained within the last 24 months, where you don’t hold another Level 3 qualification
What you’ll receive
- Paid employment while gaining a nationally recognised qualification
- A Level 4 data qualification
- Dedicated time to complete your apprenticeship learning
- Practical experience working on real organisational data projects
- Training in Power BI, SQL, data quality and data governance
- Exposure to data engineering tools, including Microsoft Fabric
- Support and mentoring from experienced Data Team colleagues
- Ongoing coaching, training and career development
- Excellent employee benefits, including 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, a pension scheme and healthcare cash plan
- Valuable experience to support a future career in data analysis, business intelligence, data engineering or digital technology
At FCHO, we’re committed to investing in local talent and helping people develop rewarding careers. Please submit your application before 21ST August 2026. Interview and Assessment dates to be confirmed.
Please note, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. We are committed to building an organisation that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, skills and are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. As an equal opportunities employer, FCHO is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective colleagues and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us.
We care that you have a great experience with us at FCHO and if you need us to make any reasonable adjustments to make your experience smoother, please let us know and we’ll do all we can.
The Company
At First Choice Homes Oldham, we’re all about being a community anchor organisation and making a positive difference where we work. Our dedicated team delivers this every day through good quality, affordable homes, excellent services and thriving communities for customers living in our 11,500 homes across Oldham and surrounding boroughs. We’re a significant employer in the local area and we’re ambitious to grow. We ensure colleagues enjoy working at FCHO, are developed and can build careers for successful futures. Join us and become a part of a team passionate about providing homes we are proud of and improving lives.
The Benefits
- 30 days holiday
- Generous pension scheme
- Hybrid working
- Family friendly policies
Data Apprentice in Oldham employer: First Choice Homes Oldham
First Choice Homes Oldham is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee development and community impact. As the Director of Repairs & Maintenance, you will benefit from a supportive environment that encourages innovation and collaboration, while also enjoying opportunities for professional growth in a role that directly contributes to enhancing the lives of residents in Oldham.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Apprentice 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 First Choice Homes Oldham.
✨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 First Choice Homes Oldham and show them you’re genuinely passionate about the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Apprentice 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 First Choice Homes Oldham 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 First Choice Homes Oldham
✨Brush Up on the Basics
Before your interview with First Choice Homes Oldham, 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 First Choice Homes Oldham. 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!
