UK Ministry of Justice plans 80 apprenticeship starts after first QA data cohort

The Level 4 Data Analyst program attracted more than 1,100 applications for 12 places and combined full-time roles with structured technical training.

QA and the Ministry of Justice marked the completion of the first cohort of their Level 4 Data Analyst apprenticeship program

The Ministry of Justice plans to welcome around 80 new apprenticeship starters through its wider digital skills strategy after the first cohort completed a Level 4 Data Analyst program delivered with training provider QA.

The program was built around full-time roles inside the Ministry of Justice, with apprentices applying their learning to live projects across the justice system. Participants developed skills in analytics engineering, data modeling and stakeholder engagement while contributing to work supporting prisons, probation and courts.

Competition for a place was considerable. More than 1,100 people applied for the 12 positions available, pointing to demand for paid routes into government data careers.

Apprentices entered from a range of backgrounds. Some changed careers after working in retail, customer service, education and the charity sector, while others chose the program instead of university to gain workplace experience alongside formal training.

Career changers move into analytics engineering

Among the first cohort was Brian Seery, who moved into data after 12 years in outdoor retail and was subsequently named Apprentice of the Year at the QA Excellence Awards.

Pete McGinty retrained from customer service while continuing in paid employment to support his family. Their experiences illustrate how the program was used both as an alternative to university and as a route into a new profession for established workers.

Jo Bishenden, Chief Learning Officer at QA, says the partnership was intended to combine technical development with professional skills: “This programme shows what can be achieved when employers and learning providers work together to develop future talent. Our partnership with the Ministry of Justice has equipped apprentices with the technical expertise, confidence and professional skills to make an immediate impact, while opening doors for people from a wide range of backgrounds.”

Communication, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration were also emphasized during the cohort’s completion event, alongside the technical demands of analytics engineering and data modeling.

Ministry builds its internal data pipeline

The Ministry of Justice positions apprenticeships as one route to expanding the data capabilities used across its services. Phil Hall, Head of Analytics Engineering at the department, says the first cohort is already contributing to the organization while continuing to develop its technical and professional knowledge.

“As data becomes increasingly important across government, this programme has shown the value of apprenticeships as a way to ensure we have people with the skills we'll need in the future,” Hall explains.

The next step extends beyond the first Data Analyst cohort. Around 80 new apprenticeship starters are planned as part of the Ministry of Justice’s broader digital skills strategy.