Data is the most valuable thing on Earth. Yep, it is more valuable than gold, oil and diamonds! That means the people who work with data are equally in demand.
Are you methodical and analytical, with an interest in technology and a great attention to detail? Every day, the world produces 2.2 quintillion bytes of data, and someone has to manage it – that someone could be you.
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about getting a data analyst apprenticeship and where this career could take you in the future.
What do data analysts do?
Data analysts turn data into easily understandable information in the form of graphs, tables and reports.
As well as creating visual representations of information, data analysts find patterns in large amounts of data (also called ‘datasets’) and learn from the patterns to achieve a goal, such as identifying your ideal customer or improving the speed of manufacturing processes.
Remember that ‘data’ can be basically anything – for example, it could include:
- Survey responses
- Personal information like weight and age
- Temperature
- Price
- Music recordings
You’ll find data analysts in all industries, especially finance, insurance and pharmaceuticals. If you look at the FTSE 100, a list of the 100 biggest companies in the UK, you’ll see that pretty much every single one of them employs data analysts.
The working hours are fairly standard and follow the Monday-Friday, 9-5 pattern. Although it is mainly a desk-based office job, there are also plenty of work-from-home opportunities.
How can you become a data analyst?
Sometimes, you’ll see data analyst jobs looking for candidates with a university degree in a relevant field, like computer science or economics.
An alternative route into data analytics is by completing an apprenticeship. Before your apprenticeship starts, you can even do a few free courses or watch YouTube videos that cover the basics of data analytics. There are loads of free options.
What is a data analyst apprenticeship?
A data analyst apprenticeship is an education programme that equips you with the skills you need to become a fully qualified data analyst. Apprenticeships are split between classroom-based studying (20%) and on-the-job training (80%), so you’ll learn both the practical and theory-based knowledge you need.
How long does a data analyst apprenticeship last?
The length of a data analyst apprenticeship depends on the level, but it’s usually between 18 months (Level 4) and four years (Level 6/7).
How much will I earn in a data analyst apprenticeship?
You can earn a liveable wage while you learn, and the average salary for a data analyst apprenticeship in the UK is between £19k and £21k. It’s also possible to get a cool £24k+ via some of the best paying apprenticeships in the UK!
What are the entry requirements for a data analyst apprenticeship?
Most opportunities (like the ones listed below) require five GCSEs at grades 4-9, including English and maths. Some Level 4 apprenticeships will accept a grade 2 in English and maths, but don’t let that be your benchmark – aim high!
Scoring highly in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subject will really make your application stand out. You can ask your teachers to help you participate in extracurricular STEM clubs to supplement your school lessons.
What are the best data analyst apprenticeships?
Amazon – Level 6 Data Analyst Apprenticeship (Level 6)
Amazon is looking for analytically minded and confident candidates to join their Level 6 apprenticeship, which lasts 36 months. At the end, you’ll earn a BSc (Hons) Digital & Technology Solutions, and you can apply for a full-time role as a data analyst at Amazon.
KPMG – Audit Data & Analytics Degree Apprenticeship (Level 6)
KPMG is a global powerhouse – it’s one of the Big 4 consulting firms. You could earn a BSc (Hons) Digital & Technology Solutions at the end of KPMG’s four-year Audit Data & Analytics Degree Apprenticeship. You’ll gain the knowledge you need through masterclasses, 1:1 sessions and expert on-the-job teaching.
Civil Service – Data Analyst Apprenticeship (Level 4)
You’ll work in the government civil service while you complete this Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship. It takes 21 months, and you’ll learn about identifying and collecting data, statistical analysis techniques and data visualisation.
Network Rail – Data Analyst Apprenticeship (Level 4)
During this two-year apprenticeship with Network Rail, you’ll learn how to investigate and solve complex problems using data and evidence-based analysis and hands-on project work. The opportunity opens in September every year, and you can sign up on the website to get notified. After the course, the doors are open for a job in Network Rail if you impress your bosses.
Aviva – Data Analysis Apprenticeship (Level 4)
Remember when we said data analyst jobs are in demand in the insurance industry? Well, we weren’t lying – this Level 4 Data Analysis Apprenticeship with insurance giant Aviva pays a great starting salary of £21,700 and allows you to complete further training during a Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship (MSc)!
What do you learn in a data analyst apprenticeship?
- Problem solving and critical thinking skills.
- Communication and presentation skills.
- Programming languages like Python, R or SQL.
- Cost and risk analysis.
- Stages of the data analysis lifecycle, including extracting, processing, analysing, collecting and visualising data.
- Cleansing, transforming and modelling data to discover useful information.
- Auditing best practices.
- Principles of data classification.
- Data structures and databased designs.
What are the best data analyst jobs?
- Business intelligence analyst – Identifying trends in datasets to inform business decision-making.
- Data scientist – Designing and developing data modelling processes and creating algorithms. There are loads of data science apprenticeships available, too.
- Data engineer – Cleaning and organising data from different sources and moving it to data warehouses.
- Data architects – Designing, managing and creating the data architecture for a business.
How much do data analysts earn in the UK?
While the entry-level salary for a data analyst is between £23,000 and £25,000, this figure can quickly rise to £30,000 or even £35,000 within a few years. Later in your career, you can expect to bring home a huge £60,000 for senior and consulting jobs.
How do I find data analyst apprenticeships near me?
Use our handy search function to find apprenticeships near you. Simply type ‘data analyst apprenticeship’, select your location and see the results.
Relax. We’ll send the jobs to you.
Reckon you know what you want to do, but can’t find the perfect role? Most companies hire their apprentices in a ‘recruitment window’. This means many great jobs are only available for a short time once or twice each year.
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