Data apprenticeships
Create a data culture by upskilling your team and bringing in new hires, with funded training
Build the skills your team needs to turn data into actionable insights with levy-funded data programmes. From analysing business performance and creating dashboards to building data pipelines and managing data quality, our training helps organisations harness the full value of their data.
Backed by decades of experience and trusted by over 4,000 organisations, QA helps employers develop the data professionals needed to drive long-term business impact.
Data apprenticeship programmes
Designed by experts and trusted by organisations across the UK, our data apprenticeships help your business to unlock insights that drive real business impact.
Ways to learn
Apprenticeship
Get started with data apprenticeships
Skilling that works for you
Our data programmes are designed to fit around the needs of both learners and the businesses.
- Apprentices spend around 80% of their time in their day-to-day role, applying new skills in a real working environment, while the remaining time is dedicated to structured learning, workshops and development activities.
- This means that organisations get the benefit of learners adding new data and insights capability throughout the length of the programme.
- We also work with businesses from a range of different sectors to deliver solutions bespoke to your needs and industry challenges. This allows us to tailor learning programmes to the specific needs of your business.
Turn insights into action
For many businesses, data represents an immense opportunity for growth, but also the potential for security and governance risks. Many businesses have swathes of data their fingertips, but don't have the in-house skills to capitalise on it.
Data apprenticeships help organisations to close this gap. From data champions who work with data in their day to day roles, to data analyst and engineer professionals, we help businesses invest in skills that unlock true business value.
Create data-driven functions across your business
Our data programmes are designed for organisations who want to build data skills at scale across a variety of teams and functions. There's no one size fits all when it comes to data. Different teams and individuals use it in different ways to achieve different outcomes.
Our experts work with you to design the best data skilling programme for your business. This means that whether you're upskilling your in-house data analysts and engineers, or developing the ability of sales, marketing or finance to utilise and action insights, each team and learner gets the training that fits their role and ambition.
Every business is different, and we recognise the need for many organisations to create a data-driven culture that goes beyond the responsibilities of dedicated data professionals.
Fund your data skills programmes
Data apprenticeships can be funded through the Growth and Skills Levy, helping organisations develop the data and analytical capabilities needed to drive better decision-making across the business.
Levy-paying employers can use available funds to cover training costs, while many non-levy employers can access significant government funding support. This makes apprenticeships a cost-effective way to build in-demand data skills, upskill existing employees and create a more data-driven workforce for the future.
Support every step of the way
Get in touch and one of our data apprenticeship experts will help you identify the right programme for your business needs. We'll guide you through funding options, recommend the most suitable programmes and support the onboarding process to get your programme up and running quickly.
Why QA?
How we brewed up a data dream team with Costa Coffee
Hear first-hand how apprenticeships at Costa transformed careers, from overcoming challenges to discovering new career paths, and the impact of hands-on learning, mentorship, and dedication in unlocking new opportunities at Costa Coffee.
Abdullah's Story - Data Technician Apprentice
Abdullah tried different paths in college before choosing a Level 3 Data Technician Apprenticeship. Inspired by his cousins, he took this route to gain hands-on experience, earn while learning, and build a tech career. The apprenticeship also introduced him to the property industry, giving him valuable experience in a new field.
Apprenticeships expertise, assured.
Through expert guidance and innovative tech, we offer unrivalled support at every step of your journey.
From onboarding to completion, businesses benefit from dedicated support teams, AI-powered learning assistance, live chat, employer portals and real-time progress visibility, ensuring apprentices stay engaged, supported and on track to deliver impact.
Data apprenticeship testimonials and learner stories
“We’re creating a level playing field with QA. We can bring employees in from stores and build up their foundations in data. We have amazing opportunities in our technology team, like consumer analytics.”
“The Business Analyst apprenticeship delivered clear and measurable benefits for individuals and the business. John and Samuel shifted from subject matter experts to confident Business Analysts with the right tool kits, structured methods and frameworks - improving analysis, documentation, and stakeholder engagement.”
“We’ve been blown away with the quality of the candidates that have been put in front of us. If these candidates are representative of the level of the capabilities that are coming out of the schools in Scotland I think we are in an extremely good place as a nation and a tech nation for the future.”
“We chose QA because of their ability to tailor apprenticeship programmes to suit our specific needs.”
“We highly recommend apprenticeship programmes to any businesses that have yet to explore this opportunity.”
“Apprenticeships are a good opportunity for individuals looking to make a career in IT. We see apprenticeships as investing in young people. We like the idea of growing our own talent within the company. This gives them a good grounding on learning, and gives us time to make sure they are the right people for our company.”
“We did not expect apprentices to move into core roles so quickly!”
Build skills that drive change
For over 40 years, our training programmes have helped businesses and individuals to grow and drive digital transformation.
- The trusted training partner of 3,500+ global organisations
- Our apprenticeships have a 98% learner success rate and an 80% increase in employee retention
- Skills powered by industry-leading partnerships with Microsoft, AWS and NVIDIA
- Collaborate with a team of in-house experts to tailor skills programmes to the needs of your organisation
Talk to us
Fill out the form below and one of our experts will be touch shortly. Or give us a call: 0113 220 7150 (England) | 0141 226 1335 (Scotland)
Data apprenticeship FAQs
What is a data apprenticeship?
A data apprenticeship combines structured training with practical, on-the-job experience. Learners develop in-demand data skills while applying them in a real business environment, enabling organisations to build capability while employees continue contributing in their current role.
Data apprenticeships can be funded through the Growth and Skills Levy, formerly the Apprenticeships Levy, and provide businesses with a cost-effective way to close their skills gaps.
What skills do data apprentices learn?
Data apprentices learn different skills depending on the programme they enrol on. We tailor our programmes to suit the needs for your business, ensuring that your learners can maximise the impact of their learning when they're back at their desk.
Through our industry-leading partnerships with Databricks, Microsoft Copilot, AWS and Google, our data apprentices have access to state-of-the-art online learning and access to expert trainers who have real-experience of working with data.
Depending on the programme level, learners may build capabilities in data analysis, data visualisation, reporting, dashboards, SQL, data management, Power BI, Python, statistics and communicating insights to stakeholders.
What comes next after a data apprenticeship?
A data apprenticeship can open pathways into specialist roles such as Data Analyst, Business Analyst, Analytics Engineer and Data Scientist.
Many learners also use their new skills to progress within their current profession, applying data-driven thinking in areas such as marketing, sales, operations, finance, HR and customer experience.
Higher-level apprenticeships can provide further progression opportunities into advanced analytics, data leadership and strategic decision-making roles.
Where does QA offer data apprenticeships?
We deliver data apprenticeships across England through a flexible learning model that combines expert-led training, digital learning and workplace application.
Alongside dedicated training centres in London, Birmingham, and Scotland, Apprentices can learn from any location while continuing to work within their organisation, making programmes accessible for both national and regional employers.
Why do businesses need data skills?
Data skills help organisations make more informed decisions, identify opportunities, improve efficiency and better understand customers.
And as a business generate more data, the need for more data professionals is only going to grow. Businesses generate huge volumes of data and they need the talent to understand, process, interpret and uncover insights from that wealth of data.
This helps organisations to make the most of the data at their disposal and use it to business and performance growth.
Which data apprenticeships are available?
QA offers data apprenticeships at multiple levels across several apprenticeship standards, helping organisations build data capability across a wide range of sectors and business departments.
Data Essentials Level 3
Aligned to the Data Technician Level 3 standard, this apprenticeship provides a strong foundation in working with data. Learners develop essential skills in data collection, analysis, reporting and visualisation, enabling them to use data more effectively in their day-to-day role. It is ideal for employees who need to become confident users of data, regardless of function or department.
Data Analyst Level 4
Aligned to the Data Analyst Level 4 standard, this apprenticeship develops the practical skills needed to analyse, interpret and communicate data-driven insights. Learners gain experience in areas such as data analysis, dashboard creation, data visualisation, SQL and business reporting, helping organisations make better decisions based on evidence and insight.
Data Engineer Level 5
Aligned to the Data Engineer Level 5 standard, this programme focuses on the technical infrastructure that enables organisations to collect, manage and utilise data at scale. Learners develop skills in data architecture, data pipelines, data integration and governance, helping businesses build the robust data platforms needed to support analytics, AI and digital transformation initiatives.