Our data science programme

Are you fascinated about data science? Do you love using mathematics to solve problems? Would you like an amazing experience, a great salary and go to university too?

What the programme offers

The Data Science programme is a 40-month programme, giving you the opportunity to support the data analytics work programme at Audit Wales while studying for a degree in data science as part of a level 6 apprenticeship.

You’ll gain valuable on-the-job skills, growing your own abilities as you help the team bring an innovative and passionate approach to data science, whilst studying for a Data Science BSc.

You don’t need experience, just an aptitude, commitment and enthusiasm. You bring your passion, and we will teach you the data science tools, techniques and skills to become a qualified data scientist.

Study package

You’ll study for a 3-year degree delivered by Cardiff Metropolitan University. The degree is delivered through day release and covers a wide range of topics including data visualisation and artificial intelligence.

Find out more on the Cardiff Metropolitan University website [opens in new window].

You’ll be encouraged and supported throughout your apprenticeship to manage your own personal development through progress reviews, and your degree programme will be supplemented with skills development workshops, both technical and soft skills programmes.

In addition to the support of your peers, you’ll be allocated a line manager who’ll have a critical role to play in developing and supporting you throughout your studies; and a buddy to help ease you into your new role as well as providing on-going informal support.

What will I do?

You’ll complete both on-the-job and off-the-job training. Working in a project environment using agile techniques, you’ll select, develop and apply new techniques to help solve complex problems, and learn how to showcase these to stakeholders.

You’ll work with a variety of teams from across the business developing data-led solutions for solving complex related problems, involved in all aspects of the way we use data at Audit Wales. You’ll work closely with auditors to understand their data needs, you’ll create new data tools to publish on our website, you’ll manage central datasets, and you’ll help to train auditors in new data techniques.

Day to day, you’ll be involved in delivering these core functions:

  • Lead research and development into innovative data techniques and tools.
  • Build impactful data tools and embed them as a new normal part of our work.
  • Drive modernisation of financial and performance audit by making it data enabled.
  • Centrally manage key datasets to ensure standard data is used for decision-making.
  • Work alongside audit and corporate teams to enable them to build ‘low code’ data tools/products.
  • Screen all data products before publication as an additional quality control step.
  • Promote data literacy for all staff, to improve the data culture at Audit Wales.

What qualifications will I get?

The apprenticeship is offered on a fixed term contract for 40-months. All apprentices who meet the scheme’s milestones will receive a BSc in Data Science (Level 6).

Academic requirements

To apply for this apprenticeship, you should have achieved (or be predicted to achieve):

  • three A-levels at grade B or above, one of which must be in a STEM subject; or
  • Level 4 apprenticeship in a relevant subject (for example Data Analytics).

You can also apply if you already have a degree, as long as the degree is in a subject not directly related to data science.

Candidates can apply on the strength of their predicted A-Level grades. Any offers made will remain conditional upon gaining the necessary academic qualifications.

To be eligible for an apprenticeship, you must:

  • Have a right to live and work in the UK.
  • Be resident in Wales or your employer is based permanently in Wales.
  • Have legally left school.
  • Intend to stay in employment for the next 12-months.
  • Not already be funded for other training courses by Welsh Government.
  • Be paid the relevant National Minimum Wage.
  • Work more than 16 hours per week.

Apprenticeship programmes receive funding support through the Welsh Government Apprenticeship Framework. The Welsh Government does not support apprenticeship qualifications where an individual already holds a qualification of the same type, content and level (or of a higher level). You should not enter for a qualification of the same type, content and level as that of a qualification you already hold.

However, if the apprenticeship would allow the individual to acquire substantive new skills, and it was evident that the content of the qualification was materially different from any prior qualification, then such an apprenticeship may be eligible for funding.

As part of the recruitment process your details will be shared with the university for the apprenticeship. The university is an integral part of the recruitment process as they are responsible for confirming candidate’s eligibility to undertake the apprenticeship in line with the Welsh Government Apprenticeship Framework. In agreeing to proceed with the application process you are agreeing to the sharing of your details with the university.

If you are uncertain as to whether you are eligible for a programme, please contact trainee.recruitment@audit.wales setting out clearly the qualifications you already hold.

Please note that the guidance given above does not consider every circumstance and Audit Wales reserves the right to reject an application where it considers that any eligibility criteria have not been met.

With regards to qualifications that fall outside of eligibility criteria we would advise that any ‘Data Science’ or ‘Computer Science’ qualification achieved at degree level or higher will be ineligible. Any qualifications containing modules of data analysis, data science or computer science to level 4 will also need to be considered to check regarding funding eligibility. All qualifications will be checked on a case-by-case basis at the sifting stage.

 

Application process

To apply please complete our short application form. We are looking for candidates who not only meet our academic criteria but are showing a clear interest in the apprenticeship and the public sector.

The application form asks you two questions, one generic and one specific competency question. In completing your application form ensure that you tell us a little about yourself and the skills and experiences you have and how those will help you in the apprentice role. We want to see evidence of your commitment to the public sector and to earning and learning as a data science apprentice.

We are always impressed by people who are enthusiastic about the work of Audit Wales and how they feel they can contribute to it, so we would encourage you to do some research and think about how you picture yourself working with us.

We are also growing a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we work in and the skills, experiences, and perspectives they offer and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. Being a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee to progress all disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role to psychometric test stage.
Every application is read and reviewed by a human, not by machines or AI. We want to hear your story, in your own words.

If you meet the minimum mark required, you will be progressed to Stage 2, the completion of psychometric tests.

Tip: The application form is your opportunity to sell yourself and set yourself apart from other applicants. Try to ensure that you understand the role and the organisation, and that this is reflected in your application. Ensure that you detail the essential academic requirements as detailed in the job description, as failure to demonstrate you meet the minimum academic requirements could result in you being sifted out.

While you may use AI tools to polish the flow of your writing or check grammar and spelling, the competency questions must be answered by you personally. Your responses should reflect your own experiences, insights and motivations. Audit Wales is looking to understand you… not what AI generates. So, make sure your examples and reasoning are authentic and genuinely yours.

You will be asked to complete a couple of psychometric tests. These tests reflect the skills and aptitude we are looking for in the apprentice role.

Tip: We recommend you do at least one practice of each test first before completing the tests. This will give you a feel for the types of questions asked and how long they will take you to answer. It’s a great way to prepare, helping you relax and perform to the best of your ability.

Further details regarding the assessment centre will be provided if you are invited to attend but normally include an interview and a technical exercise. The assessment process is aimed at assessing you against the job description/person specification and the values and behaviours.

The interview is a panel-based interview, which will include questions on a research topic which you are informed of prior to the assessment centre.

The interview also provides you with the perfect opportunity to ask us any questions about our organisation and the training programme.

Following your attendance at the assessment centre, we will notify you shortly afterwards to let you know whether you have been successful.

If you are successful, you will receive a conditional offer to join Audit Wales. All offers are subject to pre-employment checks, which include:

  • Verification of academic qualifications listed in your application (you will be required to produce hard copy certificates).
  • Confirmation of your right to work in the UK.
  • Any other relevant checks required for your role.

We value the importance of the Welsh language in our work and aim to provide a bilingual service to everyone who wants to use it.

Our aim is for at least 20% of our graduate trainee cohort to have Welsh language skills. We encourage applications from individuals that have Welsh language skills to help us meet this aim. If you are a Welsh speaker and are keen to use your Welsh language skills in the workplace, we would love to hear from you.

If successful and you do not currently have Welsh language skills, don’t worry. We can support you in learning Welsh if you wish and will also support you to develop basic Welsh language skills to meet our Welsh language commitments.

The following Welsh language skills are desirable for this role.

  • Reading - can read some routine work-related material with support e.g. dictionary.
  • Spoken - can hold some work-related conversations.
  • Understanding - can understand routine work-related conversations.
  • Written - can prepare routine work-related material with checking.

We welcome applications from all candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for our Programme. However, please note that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship.

To be considered you must already have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the training scheme.

You must be a UK National, National of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK or Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with (or eligible for) status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS).

We are not able to sponsor work visas. Please email hrandpayroll@audit.wales should you have any questions on your nationality eligibility.