Become a Data Technician with IT Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a great way to learn on the job and enter the field of IT. 

If you'd like to see whether a Data career is for you, a Level 3 apprenticeship in Data Technician could be just what you need.

Let's take a look at the Firebrand Data Technician standard.
 

What is a Data Technician?

Also known as Data Support Analysts, Junior Data Analysts, or Junior Information Analysts, Data Technicians collect and prepare large data sets for analysis.

While Data Analysts specialise in gathering business insights from big data, Data Technicians focus on data collection, database maintenance, data cleaning, and similar tasks.

The average Data Technician salary in the UK is £43,000.
 

What does a Data Technician do?

Data Technicians extract, clean, and analyse large data sets. They ensure that data is accurate, error-free, and secure at all times; depending on company structure and industry, they can work cross-departmentally or within large Data teams.

On average, typical Data Technician job responsibilities include:

• developing data collection systems
• collecting and extracting relevant data
• cleaning data and resolving data errors
• ensuring data accuracy
• analysing data, including complex data manipulation
• carrying out quality assurance
• visualising data
• creating data reports and presentations
• keeping data secure according to policies and procedures

and more.

As mentioned above, Data Technicians need experience with specific technology, such as:

• SQL
• Qlik
• Tableau
• SRDR
• Data Management Suites such as Oracle, SAP, or AWS
• Microsoft Excel
  
  

What is the Firebrand Data Technician Apprenticeship like?

At Firebrand, we specialise in getting people certified fast.

We were the first Apprenticeship provider to adopt the new Digital Standards and, three years ago, we became the first training provider to be inducted into the WorldSkills UK Excellence programmes.

Our Level 3 Data Technician Apprenticeship takes 16 months, 13 for practical followed by a 3-month EPA. The apprenticeship trains aspiring Data Technicians to source, format, and present data securely, from blending data to analysing data, applying legal and ethical principles when manipulating data, and communicating outcomes to different audiences.

The thorough curriculum takes learners through Microsoft Excel, the fundamentals of visualisation, Open Source resources, Database and Data Warehouse fundamentals, Data Quality issues, and more.

Our programme is taught through a blended framework of residential and online learning. Throughout the programme, learners are supported by Learning Mentors (from Firebrand as well as at their workplace) and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) with decades of experience in IT.

If you do a Data Technician Apprenticeship, how can you progress?

After completing a Data Technician Apprenticeship, you may choose to continue to work full-time, progress to a higher-level apprenticeship such as Level 4 Data Analyst, or choose an integrated degree such as Level 6 Data Scientist and Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions.

Will Data Technicians be replaced by AI?

While Artificial Intelligence (AI) can make data manipulation more efficient, it is unlikely to fully replace Data Technician roles. These professionals will have to learn to use AI systems for increased productivity, working alongside them in their day-to-day roles.

Interested?

See our latest Apprenticeship vacancies.

What is Firebrand?

For the past 13 years in a row, we’ve been named one of the Top 20 IT Training Companies in the World.

We specialise in accelerated courses, bespoke solutions, and Apprenticeships that get you certified at twice the speed.

Could one of them be right for you?