Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship

Information about this apprenticeship

This two-year programme will result in your gaining a Level 4 apprenticeship while working as a data analyst. Your role will include collecting, organising and studying data to provide business insight. You will likely work across a variety of projects, providing technical and data solutions to a range of stakeholders and customers. In this programme, you will learn about data analysis, data structures, big data, processes and tools for data integration.

Topics covered

The main topics covered by this apprenticeship are:

identifying, collecting and migrating data
interpreting data
statistical analysis and other analytical techniques such as data mining
producing performance dashboards
tools and techniques for data visualisation
presenting results to stakeholders and making recommendations

Roles it prepares you for

The type of roles this apprenticeship prepares you for are:

Data Analyst
Data Manager
Data Scientist
Data Modeler
Data Architect
Data Engineer

Qualifications you will gain

At the end of the apprenticeship you will gain three level 4 qualifications:

Data Analyst Apprenticeship: level 4
Level 4 Certificate in Data Analysis Tools – this is awarded by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT
Level 4 Certificate in Data Analysis Concepts – this is awarded by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT

Don’t know what level 4 means? Find out more about qualification levels.

Entry requirements

You must:

have a valid passport, birth certificate or residence permit
have a national insurance number
have lived in the UK and/or the EU for three years prior to the apprenticeship start date
not be undertaking another apprenticeship at the same time
confirm that this apprenticeship will offer you essential new skills and knowledge in your existing or new role (i.e. you can’t do an apprenticeship in a subject you already have an equivalent or higher qualification in)
have strong English skills
have GCSEs in English and Maths at grade C or above (or equivalent level 2 qualifications). If you do not have these then you can work towards them while on the apprenticeship. However, you will need to achieve this level in English and Maths before taking the end-point assessment.

You must also have one of the following:

two A levels, one of them in Maths or Information Communication Technology (ICT)
an apprenticeship in a similar subject at least one level below this apprenticeship
an International Baccalaureate at level 3 in Information Communication Technology (ICT)
a BTEC extended diploma in Information Communication Technology (ICT) (worth 180 credits)

If you do not have one of these qualifications you may also be considered if you have enough previous experience of working in data analysis.

Please note:

For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the English and Maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3.

The British Sign Language qualification is accepted as an alternative to the English GCSE grade C qualification.

Length of programme

The apprenticeship programme will usually take 21 months but this will depend on your prior knowledge and experience. The structure and duration ensures that you can complete your learning flexibly around your other responsibilities.

Funding

Apprenticeships in England are funded by the apprenticeship levy, provided you meet the entry requirements. This means the training does not have to be paid for by your employer.

There is also funding available for this apprenticeship in Wales.

Please talk to your departmental apprenticeship team to find out more.

Support

The apprenticeship involves a number of knowledge modules and throughout all of these a skills coach will support you. Every eight weeks they will visit you in your workplace or speak to you over the phone or online. They will answer your questions, check on your progress and help you build your portfolio of learning.

Supporting materials, additional learning activities and support from other tutors will also be accessible online.

Locations for workshops

The knowledge modules covered in this apprenticeship will involve a number of workshops. These will be taught by a specialist tutor in a local training centre. However, training can be delivered on civil service premises if necessary.

How to apply

If you’re already a civil servant you can apply for a Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship by contacting the apprenticeships representative in your department.

If you’re not a civil servant you can apply for an apprenticeship on the Civil Service Jobs website. The next Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship opportunities will be advertised in February 2023.

Apprenticeship programme with ALS

For those undertaking the level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship Programme with ALS, they are currently using their web based eportfolio systems One File and VQ Manager to continue to work with all apprentices remotely. This enables ALS to set the apprentices learning plans, tasks and assignments remotely. It also gives the ability to carry out progress reviews remotely with full interaction between the advisor, apprentice and supervisor or line manager.

ALS advisors can assess any work submitted and provide feedback to both the apprentice and line manager on progress. Where possible their advisors are supporting apprentices virtually using systems such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom (particularly in relation to workshop training). In cases where these systems cannot be used, they are supporting via phone calls. All ALS staff have Outlook accounts and the option of email is also in place to support apprentices.

Apprenticeship programme with QA

QA has put a number of contingency plans in place to ensure as little disruption to learners’ progression as possible. Their focus has been on ensuring they can deliver the same quality of training through remote and virtual platforms to meet the growing restrictions on travel and need for social distancing. Their priority is maintaining their learner and staff safety while also ensuring learners’ are able to progress through their apprenticeships in a timely and supported manner.

All aspects of learners’ apprenticeships can now be completed remotely while still maintaining regular contact with their skills coaches, tutors and other key contacts within QA.

Skills Coach Progression Visits

All QA skills coaches have been resourced to work remotely so they are able to conduct their usual progress reviews via a remote platform.

The first option is for this to be completed via Webex but, where Webex is not accessible for learners, this can be conducted via telephone. All review documentation can be signed remotely using Adobe sign and transferred via any email address accessible to learners and line managers. This is in effect for all skills coaches from Monday but it has already been put in place where it is required.

Course Attendance

QA has put in place the infrastructure to allow for all courses to be delivered via one of two remote means.

Firstly, through Attend from Anywhere. This is a regular and well-established offering within the QA learning portfolio in which the learner can view the class through a camera.

Secondly through Virtual Delivery. This can be accessed through Webex and will allow the full course to be delivered with tutors presenting the course material remotely.

This change to course delivery has been implemented from 23 March 2020.

End Point Assessment (EPA)

Both the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and the Chartered Institute for IT (BCS) have provided QA with instructions and guidance on how to conduct the full EPA requirement remotely. This will allow all learners to complete the programme without having to travel. We expect to receive the same guidance from our other awarding bodies in the near future.

Induction and Programme Starts

Much like progress reviews, all the necessary capability is in place for learner induction visits to be completed remotely. All documentation is completed through Adobe Sign.

Other Exceptions

Where possible QA urges departments to support learners in accessing the requisite technology during working hours in order to take part in the aforementioned activities – whether that be through the use of their personal or department equipment.

In instances where the necessary technology or capability to access remote learning is not available, QA will endeavour to work with departments and learners to achieve the best possible outcome. Your service specialists will work with departments to identify these instances as quickly as possible.

All of QA’s supporting structures (such as the Apprenticeship Hub, Learner Services, Compliance and Scheduling), have been resourced to work remotely and are equipped to continue supporting learners as normal.