Data Science Degree Apprenticeship
| Published | January 28, 2023 |
| Location | Nottingham, United Kingdom |
| Category | Data Science |
| Job Type | Internship |
Description
Location
About the job
Job summary
We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates
At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels. Equality and Diversity - Department for Education
This is an exceptional opportunity to achieve a degree and apply that learning on an exciting area of work. This post is based in the Strategic Data Visualisation division.
Initially, you will be based in the Strategic Modelling team where we offer high-quality data modelling and data warehousing services. You will be part of a team creating, modernising, and improving existing SQL data models across FE, apprenticeships, skills, and schools.
We oversee the development of data models, data visualisation and self-service analytical tools for internal and external use by our business stakeholders, customers, ministers, and the wider education sector.
We are looking for someone who can start in Spring 2023; however, the formal apprenticeship enrolment will take place in Autumn 2023 with the training provider.
Job description
This Data Science Degree Apprenticeship role is a permanent position.
Your work within the Strategic Data Visualisation unit will involve working with the following teams:
- Strategic Modelling – providing a data modelling and warehousing service, designing data solutions in SQL for modelling data and the surfacing of business intelligence.
- View Your Education Data – creating interactive tools and reports through Power BI, to support internal and external stakeholders with data quality, analysis, and planning.
- Operating DfE's secure authenticated external reporting platform which services learning providers and responsible bodies across the education sector.
- Automation – development of chatbots and automated solutions that help increase process efficiencies, using Power Platform products and programming languages for the solutions.
Main activities will include:
- Supporting the delivery of complex analytical tools.
- Automating data governance and operations services.
- Developing intelligent automation tools.
Person specification
It is essential you have the following experience and relevant skills:
- Excellent numerical, IT and analytical skills.
- Ability and versatility to pick up innovative technologies and languages and integrate them.
- An interest in understanding data and a curiosity in business challenges.
- Problem-solving mindset and excellent communication skills.
It is desirable that you have:
- Good programming skills.
- Experience of using analysis/data manipulation software packages such as R, SQL, Python, Power BI and Excel.
- Ability to build mathematical and analytical models.
- Awareness of infrastructure, security, or web design.
- Awareness of Agile project methodology and collaboration tools.
- Good customer facing and people skills, being able to communicate between the technical and the non-technical.
- A good understanding of data architecture.
- The ability to be innovative.
Desirable criteria will only be assessed in case of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.
This role aligns to the Trainee Data Scientist role in the Digital, Data and Technology profession: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/data-scientist#trainee-data-scientist
The successful candidate will receive extensive support and time off for training to complete the Level 6 Data Science degree apprenticeship.
To be eligible to apply for the Apprenticeship, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must have lived in the UK for 3 years prior to apprenticeship start date and not be undertaking another apprenticeship at the same time.
- You must not already have a substantial amount of the skills and knowledge that is covered in the contents of the apprenticeship standard.
- You must not have already worked in a similar role, or your previous learning, and/or work experience covers the contents (Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours) of the apprenticeship standard.
Please do not apply if:
- You already have all the skills and knowledge that is covered in the contents of the apprenticeship standard.
- You have already worked in a similar role, or your previous learning, and/or work experience covers the contents (Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours) of the apprenticeship standard.
- You have a degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science.
Part of this apprenticeship is to complete a Level 2 English and Maths functional skills qualification. If you have already achieved GCSEs in English and maths at Level 4 (grade C) or equivalent or a higher grade, you will not need to complete the functional skills qualification.
Benefits
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.
You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King's Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours. Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances, but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role. Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application:
This vacancy is using Success Profiles as the framework, and we will assess candidates against the Experience part of the framework. We will only provide feedback if we invite you to attend an interview.
As part of the application process, we will assess you on your experience through a CV and personal statement. The personal statement should be no more than 750 words and focus on how you have the skills and experience as set out above.
Interview:
Candidates who have been successful at sift will be invited to attend video interview. At the interview, we will ask you questions covering the Experience required for this role.
Other Information
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.
The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.
For this role the department would not consider sponsoring a Certificate of Sponsorship/visa. Please note we are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs
Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.
Reasonable adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name :David Nelson
- Email :David.Nelson@education.gov.uk
Recruitment team :
- Email :Centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk
