National Apprenticeship Week 2024
National Apprenticeship Week 2024 takes place from Monday 5 February to Sunday 11 February 2024. This year’s theme is “Skills for Life”, reflecting on how apprenticeships can help people to develop the skills and knowledge needed for a rewarding career.
This is the 17th 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 2024 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 individual people, 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 to help achieve 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 before formally registering your interest. This helps ensure your department can support you to complete your chosen apprenticeship.
Once you have agreement from your line manager, you can register your interest in an apprenticeship scheme by emailing the team at GSS.Careers@ons.gov.uk.
You can read about the experiences of current and past GSS apprentices in the following blog posts:
- My career after completing a Data Science apprenticeship
- What I gained from completing my Data Science apprenticeship
- A fresh start with a Data Analysis apprenticeship
- Apprenticeship allows mature student to pursue career change
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 L4 opportunities will open on Tuesday 27 February 2024. Apply for the Level 4 Data Analytics Apprenticeship on the Civil Service Jobs website.
The deadline to apply for L6 apprenticeship opportunities has now closed.