Apprenticeships. Reserved for tradespeople? The poor cousin of the university degree? Or a great way to learn new skills and progress your career?

At Cambridge Spark, we set the gold standard. We’re always first to market with courses that develop new skills. And to date we’ve supported 4,000+ learners through apprenticeships to progress their careers. 

But we’re not the only ones to think apprenticeships are the best way to acquire data & AI skills. 

The Government says, “Apprenticeships change lives. The sector plays a pivotal role not just in powering our economy but also helping people realise their ambitions. Apprenticeships are a core part of the government’s skills agenda and integral to growing the economy, creating better paid jobs and opportunity right across the country.” 

And our learners say, “The tutors are excellent. They're knowledgeable, they're friendly, they're approachable. The experience itself is very hands-on, most lessons put theory into practice…At the end of the lesson, I come away with the feeling that I can actually do this.”

So what does an apprenticeship look like in the data & AI industry? How will it help you progress in your career? And what roles is it best suited to? In this article we answer all these questions - and more!

Apprenticeships in the Data & AI Industry

Data from BCS: The Chartered Institute of IT and UCAS show the number of learners choosing to enrol on an apprenticeships programme continues to grow year-on-year. What’s interesting, is during the last academic year, under 19s accounted for less than a quarter (23.2%) of all learners enrolled on apprenticeship programmes - indicating this training pathway is fit for those looking to upskill, as well as those entering the workforce.

Nearly every employee (92%) across every industry needs digital skills to do their job. And the range of programmes on offer reflect this. 

For example, the Data Citizen Apprenticeship (L3) is an entry-level programme aimed at helping learners to master the essential mindset, tools and skills to thrive in a data-driven organisation. While at the other end of the spectrum, the AI Engineer Apprenticeship (L6) is aimed at more technically-savvy individuals, where learners can master the skills to operationalise machine learning, build and deploy real-world AI products.

“Complex experimental data sets generated within R&D are becoming more accessible to scientists; however these individuals do not always have the necessary skill sets to analyse them using modern analytical approaches. While all R&D scientists have the opportunity to increase their data analytics skills, this apprenticeship offers focused ‘hands on'’ training that accelerates an individual's development.”

Jim Harvey, Director, GSK

Eligibility Criteria

To enrol on an apprenticeship programme, you must be:

Generally, apprenticeships do not require you to have formal qualifications. However, the technical level of an individual programme may require you to have certain expertise and/or previous experience in a related role. Therefore, it’s important to always read the eligibility criteria for each apprenticeship before you apply.

And if in doubt, get in touch.

The Value of Apprenticeships in Data & AI for Individuals

Enrol on a data & AI apprenticeship and you’re on a guaranteed path towards learning how to use cutting-edge technologies while gaining real-world experience - with the opportunity to earn as you learn. As one learner said, “By using the skills you learn at work, you are able to get a much more wholesome picture than you could from a typical Master’s degree.”

But how does this experience translate into value for your career?

Future-proof Your Skills

The data & AI industry changes at such a fast pace, it can be difficult to keep up. Organisations need the ability to understand, interpret, and leverage data, to capture and maintain a competitive edge. This is your opportunity to become their hero.

Data apprenticeships ensure learners are familiar with current technologies, as well as possess the skills to adapt to future innovations and trends. 

It means that you become a valuable source of knowledge for your current employer. And if/when you choose to move on, you’re instantly more marketable - 71% of leaders would hire a candidate with AI skills over those with more conventional experience. 

Get the Recognition You Deserve 

According to PwC, jobs requiring specialist AI skills are growing 3.5x faster than all jobs. While demand for professionals with specialist data skills, like data scientists and data engineers, has surged 231% over the past five years. Additionally, professionals who possess AI expertise command salaries up to 40% higher than the industry average.

By offering on-the-job learning experiences, data apprenticeships ensure employees are always at the forefront of their industry, able to apply relevant and leading-edge skills to real-world challenges at work. Not only do you become indispensable to your employer, but the opportunity exists to make a name for yourself in the industry. 

For example:

Learn at Your Pace

Apprenticeships offer the flexibility that allows you to balance work and study. Choose to learn with Cambridge Spark, and we also ensure your programme is personalised and adapted to meet your individual needs and those of your employer to deliver better outcomes and greater satisfaction.

The beauty of an apprenticeship is how it blends live lectures and self-paced eLearning, so you can study alongside your job and immediately put your new skills and ideas into practice. Additionally, by learning alongside your peers, you can gain perspectives from different industries, sectors and types of organisations, to better understand why something does/doesn’t work, or how it might need to be adapted to become fit for purpose.

How Apprenticeships Provide You with Essential Data & AI Skills

Despite nearly three-quarters (74%) of workers wanting to acquire new digital skills in their training, apprenticeships aren't generally the first line of enquiry. 

Why?

Apprenticeships have been stigmatised as a second-rate alternative to a university degree. Yet as the experience of Alwin Raju, Senior Clinical Informatics Pharmacist in the NHS, suggests, it’s anything but.

“Having completed a master’s degree and now approaching the completion of my apprenticeship, I can confidently say that this mode of education is far better suited to the real-world application of skills. The opportunity to learn through work-related projects, with the guidance of experienced professionals, is invaluable and has exceeded my expectations.”

At Cambridge Spark, our apprenticeship programmes are designed and led by expert lecturers and tutors from top universities and leading data-driven organisations - as well as guest speakers who join us to share their insights.

“The diversity and level of the teaching staff was surprising. We were taught by people who’ve run or worked in FTSE 100 companies, others who were biomedical scientists with a background in data science. It wasn’t fuddy-duddy, entrenched lecturers without any real-world experience. It was people who have done this and understand the value of it and want to impress upon you how valuable it is. Huge surprise. Absolutely phenomenal.”

Luke Kay, Data Analyst, Exertis

In addition, learners receive support from technical mentors and professionally trained coaches, we provide opportunities for peer learning through our community, and we encourage your line manager to participate in regular feedback sessions to ensure the training you receive aligns with your expectations.

An apprenticeship programme is going to provide you with essential skills in data analytics, machine learning, and AI, which you can literally take back to your desk and use today. For example:

Apprenticeship programmes run by Cambridge Spark also come with access to our online learning platform, EDUKATE.AI, which uses real datasets in a sandbox environment to allow you to practise your new skills and receive immediate feedback.

"One thing I really like is the fact that you can literally press 'submit' on an assignment and get tailored feedback on your code within seconds. That’s really useful because it allows you to do the work in your own time. It could be 2:00am, and you’re still getting productive feedback.” 

Alwin Raju, Senior Clinical Informatics Pharmacist, NHS.

Roles Suited to Data & AI Apprenticeships

You’d be surprised at the range of roles data & AI apprenticeships are suited to:

…essentially any role that requires you to work with data on a regular basis.

The following are 3 personal stories from our learners about their experience of studying and the impact their apprenticeship has had on their career.

Career Progression Offered through an Apprenticeship

Like many STEM-related careers, data & AI suffer with DEI issues:

• 24% of employees in AI roles are women.
• 27% of employees in AI roles are from minority ethnic groups.
• 10% of IT specialists have a disability.

Because apprenticeships are more flexible than a university degree, and can be funded via the Apprenticeship Levy, it levels the playing field to make learning accessible to all. 

People who enrol on an apprenticeship not only learn new skills and earn a recognised qualification, it opens new opportunities. For example, once you’ve completed your programme, you can join the Post-Apprenticeship Recognition Scheme (PARS) to use post-nominals letters after your name; and you can become a member of RITTech at BCS: The Chartered Institute of IT, to begin your journey towards chartered status with further accreditations and qualifications. Choose to study an apprenticeship with Cambridge Spark, and you’ll forever be part of our community, able to network with your peers for continuous learning and career progression.

Apprenticeships for School Leavers

Previously, we highlighted how 23.2% of learners who enrol on an apprenticeship programme are aged under 19 years. As a vocational pathway, learners learn data science skills within the context of real-life organisations. This means that once the programme is complete, the learner can add experience, as well as a new qualification, to their CV.

Apprenticeships to Upskill

The research shows 79.1% of apprenticeship learners enrol on ‘advanced’ or ‘higher’ programmes - indicating they’re looking to progress or change their career.

As well as teach you new skills, an apprenticeship will help you to immerse yourself in the domain of data & AI, inviting you to network and make new connections, gain practical experience of how to use your new skills, and create a defined way to further your career.

“A clear benefit of this program are the opportunities to network with Cambridge Spark partners and alumni which include impressive companies like the NHS and the BBC.”

Preeti Maurya, Credit Risk Analyst, NewDay

Apprenticeships for Changing Career

Once you’ve established yourself in the workplace, it can feel daunting to consider a change, especially if you have personal commitments, such as a mortgage/children. Apprenticeships offer a practical way to learn a new skill, while you continue working to meet your existing financial obligations.

“After 10 years there were discussions about my job role changing. I wanted to focus more on data so I took the Level 3 Apprenticeship for new skills and more confidence. Since then, I've been given a promotion. Now I'm supporting the whole of Barnardo's with data requests and Barnardo's has brought Data Specialists into the company; a role I'd love to do next.”

Robyn St John, Team Support Officer, Barnardo's 

Next Steps…

An apprenticeship can have a massive impact on your career trajectory, helping you to achieve your ambitions and potentially change your life. So how do you get started?

Firstly, take a moment to reflect on your goals and visualise where you want your career to go. For example, is your preference to be a generalist or a specialist? Do you want to move into a leadership role? Is there a particular sector you want to build your career in? 

Next, explore the range of apprenticeship programmes available to you. At Cambridge Spark, we set the benchmark to upskill the global workforce with the critical digital transformation skills needed to succeed with data & AI.

If you’re not sure which programme is best suited to your goals, we’re happy to explain your options and help you get on the right path.

It’s also a good idea to speak with your manager to get their support - after all, apprenticeship programmes require input from them to ensure you have the best possible chance of success.

Finally, contact us to get enrolled!