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L3Apprenticeship5766 approved providers
The Level 3 Data Technician, and the 6 providers delivering it.
Source, format and present data securely in a relevant way for analysis.
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
Apprentices learn to source, collate and process data from multiple internal and external sources, applying data quality checks to identify gaps, duplicates and anomalies. They develop practical skills in formatting and storing datasets in line with legal requirements and organisational standards, including data anonymisation for privacy and regulatory compliance. The programme also covers how to apply basic statistical methods to identify trends, produce visualisations, and communicate findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Day-to-day responsibilities
Working under the guidance of senior colleagues, apprentices extract data from identified sources, clean and validate it, then combine datasets to support business decisions. Typical tools include spreadsheets, dashboarding software and database applications. Much of the week involves checking data integrity, documenting actions taken, and preparing outputs tailored to different audiences, whether that is a summary chart for a manager or a detailed dataset handed to an analyst. Regular interaction with colleagues across departments is part of the role.
Career outlook
Completion typically leads to roles such as junior data analyst, data support analyst or junior information analyst. From there, common progression routes include senior analyst, data engineer or data scientist positions, depending on further study or experience. Employers who recruit for this role span almost every sector, including finance, retail, healthcare, education, media and manufacturing. Larger organisations may have dedicated data teams, while smaller businesses often need someone who can handle a broad range of data tasks independently.
6 approved providers
Sorted by achievement rate.
Cambridge Spark
Employer: 4.0
Cambridge Spark is a specialist data and AI training provider that helps corporate and government or...
Apprentify
Employer: 4.0
Apprentify is a specialist digital and tech apprenticeship and training provider that focuses on hel...
AKR Growth
Employer: 4.0
AKR Growth is a social impact recruitment and training organisation that focuses on helping young an...
Aldridge Education
Employer: 4.0
Aldridge Education is a multi-academy trust that extends its provision beyond school-age learners to...
Achievement Training
Achievement Training Limited (ATL) is a private training organisation based in Plymouth city centre,...
City of London Corporation
The City of London Corporation delivers apprenticeships and adult learning through its Adult Skills ...
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
Completers typically move into roles such as Junior Data Analyst, Data Support Analyst, Junior Information Analyst, or Data Technician. Day-to-day work at this level involves collecting and cleaning datasets, running standard reports, identifying trends using spreadsheet or dashboarding tools, and presenting findings to non-technical colleagues. Most people in these roles work within an existing data team, supporting senior analysts or business intelligence functions rather than leading projects independently.
Progression paths
With three to five years of experience, a Junior Data Analyst can progress to Data Analyst or Business Intelligence Analyst, taking on more complex queries, greater autonomy over reporting pipelines, and direct stakeholder management. Two tracks tend to open up from there: a leadership route toward Data Team Lead or Analytics Manager, with responsibility for a small team and project delivery; or a specialist route toward Data Engineer, Business Intelligence Developer, or Data Quality Analyst, which typically requires further technical qualifications alongside work experience.
Where these roles sit
Every major sector in the UK generates demand for this kind of role. Financial services, NHS and wider healthcare, retail, local government, manufacturing, and media organisations all hire at this level. Employers range from large public sector bodies and national retailers through to mid-sized professional services firms and technology companies. Both in-house data teams and specialist analytics consultancies recruit at this entry point, making it one of the more sector-agnostic digital apprenticeships available.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Throughout the apprenticeship, the learner works in a real data role, building knowledge and skills across data sourcing, formatting, analysis, quality assurance and communication. Before moving to final assessment, the apprentice must pass a gateway check, which confirms that both the employer and training provider are satisfied the apprentice has reached the required level of competence across the standard's knowledge, skills and behaviours. Final assessment then confirms whether the apprentice can perform the role independently to the required standard. Assessment models for many standards are currently being updated as part of ongoing reforms, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
What learners need to prepare
Building a record of real workplace activity throughout the programme, rather than leaving it to the final months, makes preparation considerably easier. This means keeping documentation of data tasks completed, decisions made and outcomes delivered as part of normal work. Regular review points with the employer and training provider help track progress against the standard's requirements and flag any gaps early. Arriving at the gateway with a clear, well-organised body of evidence drawn from genuine work tasks gives the strongest foundation for final assessment.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
Look for providers whose tutors have current, hands-on experience with tools apprentices will actually use: SQL, Excel, Power BI or Tableau, and Python basics are reasonable expectations for this standard. Achievement rates above 65% are a solid baseline; above 75% is a stronger signal. Because this standard covers GDPR compliance and data ethics as core knowledge, ask whether the curriculum addresses UK data protection legislation specifically, not just generic compliance awareness. Employer satisfaction scores on FATP are worth weighing heavily here, since the apprentice works under direction and the employer relationship shapes almost every duty in the role.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious if a provider cannot explain which tools and platforms they teach, or if their curriculum materials reference outdated software versions. A high volume of starts paired with a declining achievement rate may indicate the provider is over-recruiting without the capacity to support learners through to end-point assessment. Vague answers about how they support apprentices in sectors outside tech (retail, health, manufacturing) are worth probing, since the standard is explicitly cross-sector and a one-size approach may not serve a learner working with sector-specific data systems.
Questions to ask before you commit
- What data tools do apprentices work with during training, and are those the same tools used in workplace assessments?
- How does the programme cover UK GDPR and data ethics, and is that taught as a standalone module or woven through the whole curriculum?
- What is your current achievement rate for this standard, and how has it changed over the last two years?
- How do you adapt delivery for apprentices whose employers are outside the tech sector, for example in retail, health or manufacturing?
- What does end-point assessment preparation look like, and how much support do apprentices get in the final three months?
- Can you share examples of the kinds of roles your completers move into after finishing?
- How do you handle an apprentice whose employer does not give them access to a sufficient range of data tasks to meet the standard?
Common questions
What are the entry requirements for the Data Technician apprenticeship?
There are no nationally set entry requirements for this standard, so employers set their own criteria. In practice, most employers look for a reasonable level of numeracy and literacy, and some familiarity with spreadsheets or basic digital tools is often helpful. Apprentices must have, or be working towards, English and maths at Level 2 before they complete. The role suits school leavers and career changers alike, provided the employer can give them regular access to real data.
How long does the apprenticeship take and how does learning fit around work?
The typical duration is 24 months, though actual completion time depends on the individual's prior experience and the employer's programme design. Apprentices are employed throughout, applying their learning directly in the workplace. A portion of contracted hours must be spent on off-the-job training, but the exact percentage is subject to ongoing reforms under Skills England. Check the current specification on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education pages on gov.uk for the latest requirements.
How is the apprenticeship assessed?
Before taking end-point assessment, the apprentice must pass through a gateway, at which point the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice has developed the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the standard. Assessment models for many standards are being updated as part of current reforms, so it is worth checking the gov.uk specification page for the current end-point assessment approach. Typically, assessment involves a portfolio, a practical project or presentation, and a professional discussion.
How does an employer pay for the training?
The funding band for this standard is £13,000, which is the maximum government contribution towards training costs. Levy-paying employers (those with a payroll above £3 million) pay through their Digital Apprenticeship Service account. Smaller employers co-invest, paying 5% of the training cost with the government contributing 95%. Employers with fewer than 50 staff who take on an apprentice aged 16 to 18 pay nothing toward training costs. Funding covers training and assessment only, not the apprentice's wage.
What does a Data Technician apprentice actually do day to day?
Day-to-day work involves collecting data from identified sources, cleaning and formatting datasets, checking for errors such as duplicates or missing values, and blending data from multiple sources. Apprentices produce reports and visualisations suited to different audiences, from technical colleagues to managers who need a plain summary. They handle data in line with GDPR and organisational policies, document what they have done, and flag quality issues to senior colleagues. The role sits within a team and most tasks are completed under guidance.
What can a Data Technician apprentice do after completing this apprenticeship?
Completers typically move into roles such as junior data analyst or data support analyst. From there, progression often leads toward data analyst, BI analyst or data engineer positions. A natural next step academically is the Level 4 Data Analyst apprenticeship, which builds on the same foundations and develops more advanced analytical skills. Sectors that employ at this level include finance, retail, health, education, manufacturing and media, so career options are broad rather than tied to a single industry.
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Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 576.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
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