Data

Learning Programme Content

The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:

• Qualifications,
• Essential Skills
• On/off the job training

The total minimum credit required for the Level 3 Pathway - Data technician is 70 credits.

The total minimum credit required for the Level 4 Pathway - Data analyst is 124 credits.

The total minimum credit required for the Level 5 Pathway - Data engineer is 120 credits.

Entry requirements

There are no specific entry requirements for this framework, however:

Employers are looking to widen the pool of potential recruits into data roles, and they are particularly interested in:

• adult learners who are employed in roles that require data handling and analysis and wish to improve their data analysis skills.
• adult learners who wish to become data engineers or data analysts who wish to move into digital roles.
• adult learners who wish to enhance their work-related data skills.
• young people, aged over the age of 16 who wish to gain a qualification in data analytics.

Applicants may have prior experience or qualifications in digital technologies, but this is not mandatory as training providers and employers will deliver programmes of training based on approved up to date qualifications tailored to meet individual needs, recognising prior qualifications and experience.

Level 3

The Level 3 Data Technician Apprenticeship is designed for those individuals who are looking to develop entry level data handling skills and knowledge to gain employment or for those already employed in a data setting looking to establish foundational data skills.

Level 4

The Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship is designed for those individuals who are looking to further develop their knowledge and skills in data analysis to gain employment or for those already employed in a data setting looking for career progression.

Level 5

This higher apprenticeship is designed for those individuals who wish to work in data engineering roles and wish to further develop their skills and knowledge.

Potential apprentices for this Pathway:

• should demonstrate an interest and commitment to working within a data engineering role and would normally possess previous experience, qualifications or occupational competence in computing, digital technologies, data or a related discipline.
• would normally be expected to have completed a Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship, a relevant Level 4 digital or data qualification, or possess equivalent occupational experience.
• would have to be over 18 years old.

Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)

Level 3: Data Technician

Level 3: Data Technician Qualifications

Participants must achieve the following combined qualifications below.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh 

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

70 credits for competence and knowledge - Level 3 - Diploma in Data Analytics (Combined).

The total amount of learning hours which includes both on and off-the-job training for the Data Technician Apprenticeship is 430.

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

Level 4: Data Analyst

Level 4: Data Analyst Qualifications

Participants must achieve the following combined qualification below.

Please see Annex 1 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh.

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

124 credits for competence and knowledge - Level 4 - Diploma in Data Analytics (Combined).

The total amount of learning hours which includes both on and off-the-job training for the Data Analyst Higher Apprenticeship is 765.

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
•  

Level 5 : Data Engineer

Level 5 : Data Engineer Qualifications

Participants must achieve the following combined qualifications below.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Combined qualification - 120 credits, 413 hours GLH

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

Other additional requirements

There are no additional requirements.

Job roles

Level 3 – Data Technician

The Data Technician Apprenticeship has been developed in collaboration with employers across Wales to support the growing demand for employees with the skills required to collect, manage, maintain and process data within a wide range of organisations.

Data Technicians play an important role in ensuring that data is accurate, complete, secure and accessible. They work with data systems and tools to collect, validate, organise and maintain data, supporting business operations and enabling effective decision-making.

The pathway provides apprentices with the knowledge, skills and occupational competence required to work with data in a professional environment, including data collection, data quality assurance, data administration, reporting, information governance and digital technologies.

Typical job roles include:

• Data Technician
• Data Administrator
• Data Support Officer
• Data Processing Officer

Level 4 – Data Analyst

The Data Analyst Apprenticeship has been developed in collaboration with employers across Wales to address the growing need for employees who can collect, analyse, interpret and communicate data to support organisational decision-making.

Data Analysts work with structured and unstructured data to identify trends, generate insights and provide evidence to support operational and strategic objectives. They use analytical tools and techniques to transform data into meaningful information and communicate findings to a range of stakeholders.

The pathway provides apprentices with the knowledge, skills and occupational competence required to analyse data, apply statistical and analytical techniques, create reports and visualisations, and communicate insights that support business improvement and evidence-based decision-making.

Typical job roles include:

• Data Analyst
• Junior Data Analyst
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Reporting Analyst
• Performance Analyst
• Data Quality Analyst
• Insights Analyst

Level 5 – Data Engineer

The Data Engineer Apprenticeship has been developed in collaboration with employers across Wales to address the increasing demand for advanced data engineering skills within both the public and private sectors.

Data Engineers are responsible for designing, building, deploying, maintaining and optimising the data infrastructure that enables organisations to collect, process, store and analyse data effectively. They develop and manage data pipelines, integrate data from multiple sources, implement data governance and security controls, and ensure that data platforms operate reliably and efficiently.

The pathway provides apprentices with the knowledge, skills and occupational competence required to work with modern data engineering technologies, including data architectures, ETL and ELT processes, cloud and distributed data platforms, data quality and governance frameworks, and data engineering operations.

Typical job roles include:

• Data Engineer
• Data Platform Engineer
• Data Integration Engineer
• ETL Developer
• Cloud Data Engineer
• Data Infrastructure Engineer
• Analytics Engineer

The pathway also provides a progression route for existing Data Technicians and Data Analysts seeking to develop higher-level technical skills and progress into specialist data engineering roles.

Data Technician

Collecting, processing, validating and organising data from a range of sources. Using tools such as spreadsheets, databases and cloud-based systems to manage data, maintain data quality, produce routine reports and support business operations. Communicating data and information effectively to colleagues and stakeholders.

Data Analyst

Collecting, analysing, transforming, validating and interpreting data to identify trends, patterns and insights. Applying analytical techniques and data visualisation tools to support operational and strategic decision-making and communicate findings to stakeholders.

Data Engineer

Designing, building, deploying and maintaining data pipelines and data platforms to support analytical and operational use cases. Integrating, consolidating, cleansing, transforming and structuring data from multiple sources into secure, reliable and accessible formats. Implementing data governance, quality, security and performance controls to ensure data is available and fit for purpose.

Progression

Level 3

The Level 2 Digital Skills for Business Apprenticeship provides learners with a foundation in digital and data skills and offers a natural progression route into the Level 3 Data Technician Apprenticeship for those wishing to specialise in data-related roles.

Progression into the Apprenticeship

Entry to the Level 3 Data Technician Apprenticeship may be through a variety of routes, including:

• Directly from school or college.
• Successful completion of the Level 2 Digital Skills for Business Apprenticeship.
• General or vocational qualifications related to digital technologies, business, administration or data.
• Employment in a relevant role supported by recognition of prior learning, skills and experience.

Progression from the Apprenticeship

Successful apprentices may progress to the Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship or other higher-level digital and data programmes.

They may also progress within their organisation into more specialist data-related roles involving data collection, data quality, reporting, information management and operational data support.

Further progression opportunities include professional certifications and vocational qualifications in data, digital technologies and business intelligence.

Level 4

Progression into the Apprenticeship

Entry to the Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship may be through:

• Successful completion of the Level 3 Data Technician Apprenticeship.
• A Levels, Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced, or equivalent qualifications.
• Relevant vocational or technical qualifications in data, digital technologies, computing or business.
• Employment within a relevant role supported by recognition of prior learning, skills and experience.

Progression from the Apprenticeship

Successful apprentices may progress to the Level 5 Data Engineer Apprenticeship or other higher-level data and digital programmes.

They may also undertake higher education programmes such as Foundation Degrees, Higher National Diplomas (HNDs), Higher National Certificates (HNCs) or degree-level study in data, computing, digital technologies or related disciplines.

Within employment, apprentices may progress into more senior analytical and specialist data roles, including data analyst, business intelligence analyst, performance analyst, information analyst and team leader positions.

Level 5

Progression into the Apprenticeship

Entry to the Level 5 Data Engineer Apprenticeship may be through:

• Successful completion of the Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship.
• Higher-level digital, computing or data-related qualifications.
• Relevant employment in a data, software, analytics or digital technology role supported by recognition of prior learning, skills and experience.

Progression from the Apprenticeship

Successful apprentices may progress to higher education programmes, including the data science degree apprenticeship, honours degree study in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computing, Software Engineering and related disciplines.

Within employment, apprentices may progress into advanced technical and leadership roles including:

• Senior Data Engineer
• Data Architect
• Data Platform Engineer
• Analytics Engineer
• Data Engineering Team Leader
• Data Engineering Manager

Apprentices may also continue their professional development through industry-recognised certifications and specialist training in cloud technologies, data engineering platforms, artificial intelligence and advanced analytics.

Equality and diversity

It is important that apprenticeship Pathways are inclusive and can demonstrate an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression.

Pathways should advance equality of opportunity between people who share protected characteristics and those people who do not as identified in the Equality Act 2010.

The protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.

Training providers and employers MUST also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics.

Employment responsibilities and rights

Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory.  But it is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years -18 year group) receive a company induction programme.

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the Training Provider and Employer to ensure that the requirements of this pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government/Medr Apprenticeships Guidance.

Further information may be obtained from: Medr

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