Data Architect Apprenticeship - Level 4

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UK’s largest producer of official statistics, helping people understand the UK’s economy, population and society.

We are looking for five people who are curious about data and technology and keen to learn to join our Data Architecture team through an apprenticeship programme.

Whether you are leaving school or college, considering a career change, or looking for an alternative to full-time classroom-based study, this could be an opportunity to start an exciting career in data and technology.

You do not need previous experience of Data Architecture. We are looking for your potential, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. You will receive training and support while gaining practical experience and working towards a nationally recognised qualification.

As a Data Architect Apprentice, you will learn how to:

• understand how data is structured, organised and used
• develop and work with data models
• understand and manage metadata
• apply data standards and data governance principles
• analyse and profile data to understand its quality and characteristics
• communicate technical information clearly to different audiences
• work with colleagues to understand their data needs and identify opportunities for improvement.

If you are curious, enjoy solving problems and want to develop a career where you can make a real difference through data, we would like to hear from you.

Security Clearance

For ONS the requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for 3 consecutive years immediately prior to applying and the department will consider eligibility by exception on a case-by-case basis. You will be asked to provide information regarding your UK residency during your application, and failure to provide this will result in your application being rejected.

At the point of SC application, you will need to provide or give access to the following evidence:

• Departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)
• UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records
• Your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
• Security Services records

Please note: We will reach out to you once the advert has closed to confirm eligibility for this role, this will be via an e-mail. Please check you e-mails.

Visa Sponsorship

ONS are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants are expected to hold a valid right to work in the UK when employment commences. If you are applying on a time-limited visa, this will need to be valid for at least 18 months at point of application.

Right to Work and Nationality Requirements

To work at the ONS, candidates must meet both UK right to work and security clearance requirements (where applicable).

If you are unsure whether you meet the appropriate right to work or security clearance eligibility criteria, please refer to the guidance on or contact the recruitment email provided in the advert before applying. Failure to meet these requirements will result in your application being rejected and employment offers being withdrawn.

Application Process

Number of Stages: 2 stage process

Stage 1: Application

Stage 2: Interview

Stage 1 – Application

The assessment process at the application stage will be based on your work history, CV, skills, experience, and personal statement. It is important that your application is tailored to highlight the skills, knowledge, and experience relevant to the role.

A personal statement is required at application stage, the maximum word count allowed is 1250 words, which should not be exceeded. You should provide evidence for each essential skill criterion listed in the person specification. As these criteria are scored, it is advisable to give clear examples for each one, including the impact of your actions, ideally utilising the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

In instances where a high number of applications are received, the sift pass mark may be adjusted, and candidates will be invited to interview based on merit order, i.e., those with the highest scores.

When a high volume of applications are received, the sift pass mark may be adjusted. Candidates will be invited to interview based on their merit order, with those achieving the highest scores being prioritised. Applicants who score below the adjusted pass mark but still pass will be placed on hold and may be invited to interview at a later date.

Please note that Success Profiles Behaviour examples are not required at this stage of the application process.

Stage 2 – Interview

If invited to interview, you will be assessed using techniques aligned with the Civil Service Success Profiles framework, covering all behaviours listed in the job advert.

You will be required to provide a 5 minute presentation at interview. The presentation topic will be emailed to candidates who have passed the initial online application stage, 1 week prior to interview. This presentation will assess candidates against the Success Profiles Behaviour Communicating and influencing.

Interviews will be in person in our Newport and Titchfield offices:

Titchfield: Segensworth Road, Titchfield, Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 5RR

Newport: Government Buildings, Cardiff Road, Newport, NP10 8XG

Please note: Travel expenses will not be reimbursed. You will also be required to bring valid photo identification to your interview.

A reserve list may be held for a period up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made.

Important Dates

• Supplier and SC Eligibility checks from 18/11 - 25/11. Please be aware we will be sending all candidates an e-mail to complete an eligibility form and to give your permission to share contact details with the supplier.
• Sift will be conducted from 30/11/2026
• Interviews will be from 16/12/2026 and some interviews will be held in the New Year.
• Apprenticeship are planned to start in April 2027, subject to security clearance and onboarding of the successful candidates.

For the full terms and conditions of the post, please see attachment.

Please note that all campaigns may be subject to withdrawal at any stage if the internal resource position changes.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service