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Data Engineer Apprentice
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Data Engineer Apprentice
We are hiring a Data Engineer Apprentice to train and work alongside experienced Microsoft consultants on real client engagements. You will spend time designing, planning and building data integrations, data pipelines & data platforms. You will work alongside the Chief Data Offices, Data Architects and Data Integration Experts.
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Please note that this is an apprenticeship position and therefore anyone with more than six months professional experience working as a Data Engineer or who holds a degree or Master’s degree in a related subject (such as Data Science or similar) will not be eligible. You will also need to commit to completing a Level 5 Data Engineering Apprenticeship.
Duties and responsibilities
The following gives an indication of the duties and responsibilities that the post may involve. The post holder will be expected to work flexibly and carry out any work that is reasonably required and is appropriate. The post holder may occasionally be required to work outside of their core hours, this time will be accrued as lieu time to be taken at a point in time as agreed with their line manager. The post holder may also be required to travel when required to carry out their role.
Position summary
This apprenticeship offers an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience and develop practical skills in data science while working towards a recognised qualification. As a member of the Digital Transformation Team, you will support a range of projects, contributing to the development of high-quality data solutions, integrations and platforms. This role enables you to learn from experienced data consultants, collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, and apply your skills to projects that inspire better policy and decision-making.
You will receive comprehensive training and mentorship, developing your expertise in data collection, cleansing, integration, ETL, management, processing and the opportunity to extend into data visualisation and analysis. Upon completion, you will have built a solid foundation in modern data workflows and best practice within a Microsoft environment. As well as ensuring sufficient training to meet your Level 5 Data Engineer Apprenticeship, you will have access to a range of Microsoft training services as part of Crimson’s Digital Transformation Team.
You will:
- Implement data flows to connect operational systems, data for analytics and business intelligence (BI) systems
- Document source-to-target mapping
- Carry out data integrations between systems
- Re-engineer manual data flows to enable scaling and repeatable use
- Support the build of data streaming systems
- Write ETL scripts and code to make sure the ETL process performs optimally
- Develop business intelligence reports that can be re-used
- Build accessible data for analysis
Desired Skills
We are looking for people who have an interest to understand how things work, ask questions, and explore why data looks the way it does. A good apprentice won’t just follow steps — they’ll want to know what sits behind the process. We are looking for people with:
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- A strong interest in data and data platforms, with demonstrable motivation to build a career in this field
- Familiarity with data platforms, data pipelines, and creating data visualisations (coursework, science experiments, projects, or self-study count)
- Some experience with coding (e.g. Python, SQL, or similar) is desirable but not essential
- Excellent problem-solving skills
- Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present findings clearly
- A strong team player who can work collaboratively and communicate clearly within a team
- A self-starter with a positive attitude, curious mindset, and willingness to embrace new challenges
- A commitment to continuous learning and professional development
Where you'll work
2640 Kings Court The Crescent Birmingham Business Park Birmingham West Midlands B37 7YE
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
DIGITAL NATIVE (UK) LIMITED
Training course
Data engineer (level 5)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Collate, evaluate and refine user requirements to design the data product.
- Collate, evaluate and refine business requirements including cost, resourcing, and accessibility to design the data product.
- Design a data product to serve multiple needs and with scalability, efficiency, and security in mind.
- Automate data pipelines such as batch, real-time, on demand and other processes using programming languages and data integration platforms with graphical user interfaces.
- Produce and maintain technical documentation explaining the data product, that meets organisational, technical and non-technical user requirements, retaining critical information.
- Systematically clean, validate, and describe data at all stages of extract, transform, load (ETL).
- Work with different types of data stores, such as SQL, NoSQL, and distributed file system.
- Identify and troubleshoot issues with data processing pipelines.
- Query and manipulate data using tools and programming such as SQL and Python. Manage database access, and implement automated validation checks.
- Communicate downtime and issues with database access to stakeholders to mitigate the operational impact of unforeseen issues.
- Evaluate opportunities to extract value from existing data products through further development, considering costs, environmental impact and potential operational benefits.
- Maintain a working knowledge of data use cases within organisations.
- Use data systems securely to meet requirements and in line with organisational procedures and legislation.
- Identify new tools and technologies and recommend potential opportunities for use in own department or organisation.
- Optimise data ingestion processes by making use of appropriate data ingestion frameworks such as batch, streaming and on-demand.
- Develop algorithms and processes to extract structured data from unstructured sources.
- Apply and advocate for software development best practice when working with other data professionals throughout the business. Contribute to standards and ways of working that support software development principles.
- Develop simple forecasts and monitoring tools to anticipate or respond immediately to outages and incidents.
- Identify and escalate risks with suggested mitigation/resolutions as appropriate.
- Investigate and respond to incidents, identifying the root cause and resolution with internal and external stakeholders.
- Identify and remediate technical debt, assess for updates and obsolescence as part of continuous improvement.
- Develop, maintain collaborative relationships using adaptive business methodology with stakeholders such as, business users, data scientists, data analysts and business intelligence teams.
- Present, communicate, and disseminate messages about the data product, tailoring the message and medium to the needs of the audience.
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of prototype data products and how these integrate within an organisation’s overarching data infrastructure.
- Assess and identify gaps in existing tools and technologies in respect of implementing changes required.
- Identify data quality metrics and track them to ensure the quality, accuracy and reliability of the data product.
- Selects and apply sustainable solutions to contribute to net zero and environmental strategies across the various stages of product and service delivery.
- Horizon scanning to identify new technologies that offer increased performance of data products.
- Implement personal strategies to keep up to date with new technology and ways of working.
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Training schedule
This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.
More training information
As part of the Level 5 Data Engineer apprenticeship standard, you’ll be registered as a member of the British Computer Society and on a fast track to an industry-recognised qualification. Your dedicated industry coach will support you through a blended approach that includes remote, in-person, 1-2-1, and group learning.
Essential qualifications
- GCSE in:
- 7 GCSEs (or equivalent) inc Maths and English (grade A*- C / 9-4 (or equivalent))
- A Level in:
- Maths, Science, Computer Science or similar (grade A - C)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Ongoing employment and career development.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is: DIGITAL NATIVE (UK) LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000039117.
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