Information Systems Business Analyst

What is a Firebrand Information Systems Business Analyst Apprenticeship?

The IS (Information Systems) Business Analysis apprenticeship programme develops apprentices in an advisory role that gives a critical layer of challenge and scrutiny for organisations delivering information systems change successfully. The accelerated IS Business Analysis programme enables organisations to “do the thing right". The role embodies early and regular investigation and analysis that ensures the right IS solution is chosen to meet the required business need.

The main focus of the IS Business Analyst is to model business processes and to facilitate, coordinate and document detailed business requirements regarding the business change agenda. IS Business Analysts will determine and present solutions of how information systems can be used to improve operational efficiency, and support acceptance testing to ensure that the proposed solution meets the defined requirements. IS Business Analysis provides a recognised career with professionals taking lead roles in successful change delivery in many organisations.

Typical Job Roles: IS Business Analyst, IT Business Analyst, Business Systems Analyst, Requirements Analyst/Engineer, Business Process Analyst.

What qualifications and certifications can Information Systems Business Analyst apprentices achieve?

As part of their apprenticeship, your apprentices must sit a number of pre-selected exams which they will need to pass to gain their Information Systems Business Analyst Apprenticeship qualification at a Pass, Merit or Distinction grade. Apprentices are also assessed by Firebrand against Ofqual-regulated Knowledge Standards as part of their programme.

All Firebrand apprenticeships contain a number of different elements required to complete and pass the qualification. For example, some elements include a summative portfolio, Off-The-Job training, Ofqual-regulated Knowledge Module exams with BCS and sometimes vendor qualifications.

Exams and certifications aren't mandatory and not all Firebrand training courses attended by apprentices include an exam voucher. Employers can purchase vouchers when apprentices have gained the relevant work experience if they wish to. Apprentices can still succeed in achieving their apprenticeship qualification without taking non-mandatory exams.

Once apprentices have completed their apprenticeship they are officially recognised by the British Computer Society (BCS) for entry onto the register of IT Technicians, confirming SFIA level 3 professional competence.

How are employers involved?

At the core of all Firebrand apprenticeships is a clear, strong and supportive working relationship between apprentices, employers and Firebrand.

We all have responsibilities that should be understood and observed by us all, to guarantee we succeed on everyone’s terms. We expect all employers to commit to:

• Employing an apprentice for a fixed 16 month contract to progress them beyond their existing skills
• Creating a position that will give apprentices an opportunity to work alongside IT professionals and learn the skills outlined in the IS Business Analyst Standard
• Dedicating an internal mentor to coach, organise and support the apprentice throughout their learning
• Working closely with Firebrand Training to build the best training programme
• Helping their apprentice with their final assessment programme to achieve all of their learning outcomes in the IS Business Analyst Trailblazer Standard
• Supporting other expenses required during the learning programme - including travel and additional learning
• Paying their apprentice the recommended minimum wage of £200 per week.

Confused about IT apprenticeships? Speak to us here

How will Firebrand help?

• Our programmes are fully customisable - so we'll help tailor your programme to suit both employer and apprentice
• We'll designate a Learning Mentor, who'll guide and support employers, mentors and apprentices throughout the programme
• We run courses throughout the year, meaning training can be scheduled around the progress of apprentices and their job role
• Travel and expenses are kept to a minimum, due to our residential and fully inclusive training
• Because we've delivered 100s of Tech Industry Gold Trailblazer apprenticeships already, we make things efficient and easy - leaving you to concentrate on apprentice needs and development

5 steps to being a Firebrand Apprentice employer

1. Identify whether you're recruiting for a new role, or if you'd like to develop existing staff
2. Choose a mentor for your apprentice - they'll be responsible for the programme’s success within your organisation.
3. Confirm the mentor understands the Information Systems Business Analyst Occupational Brief and can identify roles and responsibilities where the apprentice can learn and experience the knowledge standards required.
4. Identify the type of accelerated training courses you see your apprentice taking
5. Complete your Employer Declaration, where you'll create your job advert if you're hiring someone new

Become an IT apprentice employer now

Feedback shows our approach is delivering the tangible benefits outlined above for both employers and apprentices. We are proud to work with and receive great recognition from our customers. Today we are actively helping employers and apprentices acquire better skills, be more engaged and make clear contributions to their business outcomes.

Apprenticeships deliver new skills…

The best thing about my apprenticeship? Seeing the progression from how you were when you started. Working on the job, you’re gaining skills constantly – you look at how far you’ve come and what you can do now. Level 4 Software Developer apprentice

A real-world approach delivers results…

My first cohort delivered a presentation on their live project to a local MP who came in, and he was blown away by the work these apprentices were doing, given that some of them hadn't coded up until that point. This was quite early on in their apprenticeship, month 4 or 5. They had more confidence than more experienced employees and they had a much more natural pattern than other people who have been here years. That was a bit of a light bulb moment, seeing what they could achieveLine Manager, Transport for London

Hiring apprentices promotes retention…

With graduates, they come in sometimes and they just want to keep moving on to the next thing, gaining promotion after promotion. coming in at a younger age and gaining the skills within the team means he’s settled with us and hopefully we’ll get to keep him a lot longer. Team Manager, Lloyds Banking Group

Firebrand’s people know the industry inside out…

The instructors on the courses are all excellent and brilliant. They have so much experience behind them. Not only are you learning on the job, you’re listening to them and their personal experiences which are always so interesting. Level 3 Infrastructure Technician apprentice

Training for the industry is better than training to the minimum requirement…

I saw some of the work that came out of [my apprentice’s] Java course, which was very good; exactly what we needed from him. He probably picked up a few things that he won’t be using day to day, but it gives him that extra depth of knowledge which makes him more confident when he comes to use the technology. Line Manager, Lloyds Bank

Apprenticeships train engaged people with the right skills…

Ultimately, one of the big reasons we're doing apprenticeships is to home-grow the exact kind of person we want, with the exact kind of skills. The more effort you put in…the more likely you are to get the kind of person you know will then be able to go anywhere within your organisation. Line Manager, Transport for London

Your Information Systems Business Analyst programme

Customise your IT apprenticeship programme

Your IS Business Analyst programme is fully customisable, so you can change it to suit you as an employer or apprentice. In the table below, we've pre-selected the most popular Firebrand courses that align to the Occupational Brief in the government Standard for this apprenticeship. You can substitute these for optional courses up to the same value, where the same Knowledge Standards are covered.

Courses with Knowledge Standards highlighted in red cannot be substituted.

Confused? Let us know and we'll help build your progamme

Knowledge modules

Call us to discuss your Firebrand Apprenticeship Now
0800 081 6022