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National Apprenticeship Week 2023

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2023 takes place from 6 to 12 February 2023. This year’s theme is “Skills for Life”, reflecting on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career.

This is the 16th annual celebration of apprenticeships. There will be celebrations of apprenticeships throughout the week across virtual, traditional and hybrid events. You can find out more about the events on the National Apprenticeship Week 2023 website.

The week is a great opportunity to celebrate with the whole apprenticeship community and find out more about the benefits of apprenticeships. It will also demonstrate the opportunities for progression and show how apprenticeships work for individuals, employers, local communities, and the wider economy.

Government Statistical Service (GSS) apprenticeships

We are encouraging everyone to consider how apprenticeships can help develop the skills and knowledge needed for a rewarding career in the GSS and departments across government and help produce positive business outcomes.

The GSS recruits apprentices into departments annually and there are two schemes on offer:

  • Level 4 (L4) in Data Analytics with Apprenticeship Learning Solutions (ALS) Training in Wales and QA Training in England
  • Level 6 (L6) Degree In Data Science Degree with Cardiff Metropolitan University in Wales and York St John University in England

Both schemes are open to current staff of any grade. You can undertake either of these apprenticeships as a development opportunity. If you are interested in these opportunities you should discuss them with your line manager first and ensure your department can support you before registering an interest. You can register your interest in these apprenticeship opportunities by emailing GSS.Careers@ons.gov.uk.

The first GSS apprentices completed the Data Science Degree Apprenticeships with Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2021. These successful apprentices initially began with a L4 Data Analytics apprenticeship. They continued their success by going on to complete the Data Science Degree Apprenticeship.

Interviews with graduates and employers

You can watch our interviews with graduates and employers from the Level 6 apprenticeship programme that completed in 2022. Each video concentrates on a different theme.

How to apply for GSS apprenticeships

If you are a civil servant

Speak to your line manager about the apprenticeship opportunity you are interested in. You can then email GSS.Careers@ons.gov.uk giving details about which apprenticeship you would like to complete and the location.

If you are not a civil servant

The GSS L4 and L6 apprenticeship opportunities will launch this February.

The L4 opportunities will open on Tuesday 28 February 2023.

The L6 opportunities will open on Tuesday 7 February 2023.

More information about these opportunities will be published soon.