Data Engineer

⚡ Includes 1 x Free Professional Qualification

🎓 Level 5
⌛ 20 months + Assessment
💻 Live Virtual Learning (approx 2 hours training per week)
📊 Off The Job Training (approx 3 hours per week)
🏷️ £Free – £19,000 – Check Funding

View Start Dates

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Introduction

Data Engineers play a key role in building systems that collect, manage and convert data into usable information, (often called data pipelines). These pipelines support data science, analysis and business intelligence activity. Typically, Data Engineers work in organisations handling large data volumes.

They ensure the right data pipelines are in place, providing continuous access to critical data for informed decisions, optimised performance, and enhanced governance.

Our apprenticeship equips individuals with the skills and knowledge to build data management systems to maintain smooth data flow for analysis, supporting data-driven business decisions.

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Who can do this apprenticeship?

This apprenticeship is designed for individuals, in any sector, who are responsible for data systems and pipelines.

Apprenticeship candidates are likely to be working as:

Data Engineer
Big Data Engineer
Data Engineering Specialist
ETL Engineer

Candidates will need to…

Be employed in or being hired into a job role with data engineering responsibilities
Have edit access to workplace data stores and databases
Query and manipulate workplace data using tools and programming such as SQL and Python
Develop algorithms and processes to extract structured data from unstructured workplace data sources
Have some knowledge of data and some knowledge of at least one programming language
Have support from their employer to dedicate approximately 8 hours a week to training

✅ Core content

Apply role and responsibilities of a data engineer in the workplace
Work safely, securely and accurately with data
Plan and build data products using industry methods
Apply extract, transform and load (ETL) using SQL and Python
Engineer structured, semi-structured and unstructured data
Apply and advocate for software development practices
Automate data pipelines using industry tools
Implement systems that collect, manage and convert data into usable information
Support and manage data systems and respond to incidents
Collaborate with business intelligence, data science, artificial intelligence and software and technology teams
Understand the modern data stack, including extract, load and transform (ELT)

For more information you can visit Skills England and browse the full Level 5 Data Engineer Apprenticeship Standard.

⚡ Included Professional Qualification (free of charge)

We’re committed to maximising the impact of our apprenticeships and include professional courses (at no extra cost) in the majority of our apprenticeships. These give apprentices industry-recognised qualifications that enrich learning, build confidence and deliver even greater value organisations.

The following Professional Qualification is now included with this apprenticeship:

BCS Award: Generative AI

Each course comprises of additional learning, live online with a trainer, exam preparation and the final exams. For more information see our Additional Professional Qualifications page.

🟢 Live online learning

Our interactive live, online training model is designed to create a flexible learning environment without losing any of the benefits of in-person teaching. An apprenticeship with LearnTech typically looks like…

Live weekly online sessions – 2 hours per week
Off-the-job training (OTJT) - Weekly hours are programme specific (see top of page)
Immersive learning experience through Microsoft Teams Classroom
Maximum classroom size of 12 ensures a highly effective trainer to student ratio
Monthly 1 to 1 mentor meetings
Maths and English - if required

▶️ Discover more with our 5 minute Typical Week in Training video.

Matt Lyons

Head of Apprenticeships

Matt is the Head of Software Development, Data and Business Analysis at LearnTech, specialising in creating and delivering education and training in software development. With a degree in Applied Computing and a Diploma in Teaching, Matt has been managing and delivering tech education qualifications since 2011.

Passionate about hands-on learning, Matt is dedicated to helping students strengthen their skills through practical, project-based learning. He combines his knowledge with a commitment to helping students build real-world expertise, ensuring they gain valuable, industry-relevant experience.

View Course Brochure

View Course Infographic

Key information all on one page…

Apprenticeship Timeline

The modules shown in the timeline below will be covered by all apprentices on this programme.

Use the arrows on each side below to navigate.

Initial Steps

Enquiry to Enrolment

📅 Typically 4 – 8 weeks

What happens:

The employer, apprentice and LearnTech design the bespoke apprenticeship training plan, and complete the required paperwork.

Training Module

Domain Context

📅 5 weeks

Module focus:

Introducing the role and responsibilities of a Data Engineer in the workplace, including working safely with data.

Training Module

Extract, Transform & Load using SQL

📅 7 weeks

Module focus:

Create a data product by extracting data from a database, clean and load transformed data.

Training Module

Extract, Transform & Load using Python

📅 12 weeks

Module focus:

Create data products by extracting unstructured data from sources, clean & load transformed data.

Training Module

Data Product Design

📅 7 weeks

Module focus:

Learn how to plan and build a data product by gathering, evaluating, and refining user and business requirements to guide its design.

Training Module

Data Quality & Validation

📅 7 weeks

Module focus:

Evaluate and mitigate data quality issues by assessing the fitness of data sources and ensuring their reliability.

Training Module

Software Development Principles

📅 8 weeks

Module focus:

Identify, apply and advocate software development best practice, using appropriate methods.

Training Module

Automate Data Pipelines

📅 10 weeks

Module focus:

Automate data pipelines using both programming languages and graphical user interfaces, aligned with the business case.

Training Module

Data Architecture

📅 6 weeks

Module focus:

Understand the main components of data architecture and how each organisation’s architecture can differ.

Training Module

Technology & Service

📅 7 weeks

Module focus:

Apply and advocate for technology and service management best practice, to support business continuity.

Training Module

Emerging Tools & Tech

📅 5 weeks

Module focus:

Identify opportunities through research and developments for increased benefits to own organisation.

Training Module

Gateway & Assessment Prep

📅 3 weeks

Module focus:

Gateway is the evaluation period between completing training and final preparations for assessment.

Assessment

Apprenticeship Assessment

📅 Up to 4 months

What happens:

The apprentice demonstrates their knowledge and skills against the apprenticeship criteria, through various methods, to gain their qualification.

Onward Journey

Alumni & Continued Development

📅 After successful completion

What happens:

We’re keen to offer your apprentice support to develop further & opportunities to share their skills.

Why employers choose LearnTech…

A banner illustrates four points: "Full access to our trainers if you want to talk tech" with a computer icon, "No salespeople" with a crossed-out figure, "Employer-designed delivery model" with a network icon, and "Science-backed training" with a brain icon.

Ready to find out more?

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I'm a Potential Apprentice (Employed)

I'm a Potential Apprentice (Not Employed)

Employer Contact Form

Tech apprenticeships offer a great way for your business to develop skilled employees tailored to your organisation’s needs. We’re here to support you in all aspects of your tech and data apprenticeship needs.

If you’re ready for a no obligation Employer Information Session via Teams, or would just like more details at this stage, please complete the form below and we’ll be in touch!

Potential Apprentice (Employed) Contact Form

If you're currently employed in a role that offers experience related to the apprenticeship you’re interested in, please fill in the contact form below and we'll be in touch soon!

An apprenticeship is a job with training leading to a qualification. So, if you’re NOT currently employed in a suitable role, here are the three main ways to start an apprenticeship...

1 - Apply for an apprenticeship vacancy. Visit our Apprenticeship Vacancies Page to view our current opportunities. You can also explore all available apprenticeship vacancies in England using the government website findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk, where you can filter by your interests and location, plus save your searches and get email alerts for new vacancies.

2 - Talk to your current employer. If you're interested in an apprenticeship as part of your career development, speak with your employer. Following this, you can contact us to book an information session to find out more about the programmes you’re interested in.

3 – Approach another employer. Consider approaching a potential employer with a proposal to join their team as an apprentice. Many have succeeded with this approach, showing their enthusiasm for work and learning.

For more information about becoming an apprentice, explore our Apprentice Guide.

We wish you the best of luck in your future career 🙂

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From Excel, Power BI and data visualisation to data management systems, machine learning and AI, our programmes equip individuals with the tools to grow, while adding value in the workplace.

➡️ Employers - book an information session with us to explore how apprenticeships can support your team.
➡️ Team members - talk to your employer about getting started.