Apprentice Data Engineer

Job summary

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn while you earn!

This Apprenticeship combines working and learning, in a great opportunity where you’ll earn a salary, get workexperience, and finish the apprenticeship with a Level 5 Qualification in Data Engineering – which you won’t have to pay a penny for!

We will provide a fully paid 24 month Apprenticeship to help you gain a Level 5 qualification specialising in Data Engineering and provide hands on working experience.

Day to day, as an Associate Data Engineer, you will help the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) gather, organise, and use data effectively. You will work in a busy environment alongside experts in policy, data analysis, software development, IT, and business analysis to support the agency’s data needs and drive improvements based on solid data insights.

You’ll spend 20% of your working week studying with lots of support from Data Engineers, your line manager and Apprenticeship provider.

You’ll be working with an organisation that serves millions of people, making a real difference to road safety and protecting the British public.

For more information on the apprenticeship please visit: Data engineer / Skills England

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency - Department for Transport Careers

Job description

The Associate Data Engineer works under the guidance of data engineers and Head of Data Engineering to help the Data Engineering team deliver and improve data systems using cloud services like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

1. Ensure work aligns with agreed methodologies (including Agile/Scrum) so that the team maintains consistency, promotes collaboration, and delivers iterative, high-quality work.
2. With the support of a senior data engineer, provide input to the technical assurance of proposed IT solutions to ensure they meet design expectations, fulfil business requirements, and adhere to best practices.
3. Document the design/technical specifications in response to agreed user requirements to enable clear communication among stakeholders and maintain consistency for current and future implementations.
4. Learn and execute data profiling techniques and source system analysis to understand dataset structures, quality, and potential issues for more informed decision-making.
5. Support the implementation of data operations processes so that data integrity is maintained, efficient data flow is achieved, and reliable business insights are supported.
6. Study data quality frameworks and best practices to help establish robust processes that ensure high-quality data essential for accurate analysis and decision-making.
7. Help implement basic data pipelines to automate the movement, transformation, and loading of data into systems for seamless integration and analysis.
8. Practice writing clean and maintainable code to promote software sustainability, reduce technical debt, and make future maintenance and extension easier for the team.

For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only; whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

Adaptability and Learning:

• Quick learner, open to learning new technologies.
• Knowledge or awareness in one of the following: Computer Science, Information Technology, Networking or Software Engineering or similar.

Communication and Teamwork:

• Adaptable to changing and evolving teams

Time Management and Prioritisation:

• Basic task management and tracking.
• Ability to prioritise tasks.

Soft Skills and Attitude:

• Willingness to learn from others.
• Positive problem-solving approach

To be eligible for this apprenticeship, you must hold:

• A Level 3 qualification in a Digital subject (e.g., two A levels in digital subjects, a Level 3 apprenticeship in a digital subject, an International Baccalaureate at Level 3 in a digital subject, or a BTEC Extended Diploma in a digital subject). We will accept predicted grades for the level 3 qualification. The grades must have been achieved by 31st August 2026 to allow us time to check eligibility.
• 5 GCSEs including English and Maths at Grade 4 (C) or above. Or Equivalent
• Experience of a Programming Language (such as Python).
• Be aged 18 or over.
• Have the right work in the UK.
• Not be in full-time education.
• Not be in receipt of funding for other learning programmes at the point of enrolment for this apprenticeship.
• Have valid and eligible residency status and be resident in the UK for 3 years before the start of the apprenticeship. Full eligibility details can be found here at Annex A. If you are not sure if you meet the residency requirements then please contact us before applying.

If you currently hold or are working towards a similar qualification of the same level or higher, then you will not be eligible to apply for this vacancy. In order to be eligible for our apprenticeship vacancy, any qualifications previously held or currently being worked towards must differ in content so that this apprenticeship provides substantial new skills. Additionally you must not already be over-qualified or over-experienced in this type of work.

If you apply and are found to possess the above: your application will not be considered; any offer of employment will be withdrawn, and your contract will be terminated.

This apprenticeship is expected to start September 2026 so the successful candidate will need to be available then.

Additional Information

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 30 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Please note that we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Licence sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.

Qualifications

L3 qualification in a Digital subject:
- Two A levels in one or more digital subjects.
- Or Level 3 apprenticeship in a digital subject.
- Or International Baccalaureate at Level 3 in a digital subject.
- Or BTEC Extended Diploma in a Digital subject.
We will accept predicted grades for the level 3 qualification. The grades must have been achieved by 31st August 2026 to allow us time to check eligibility.

- 5 GCSEs including English and maths at Grade 4 (C) or above. Or Equivalent
- Experience of Programming Language (such as Python).

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,485, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency contributes £8,831 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.

Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

How to apply:

Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's qualifications, skills, and potential fit within our organisation.

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Sift of CV, personal statement and 2 Behaviour examples

Stage 2: interview

You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.

Stage 1: Sift

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

Behaviours – you will be asked to provide a 250-word statement on the following Behaviours:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (Job history and Qualification details) and a personal statement (750-word count).

Within your Personal Statement, please provide evidence of your Experience in the following areas:

• Understanding and experience of using Programming languages (such as Python)
• Experience of utilising GIThub and writing SQL statements
• Willingness and desire to learn and develop your career in Digital as a Data Engineer

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour: Making effective decisions. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The sift will take place week commencing 13th July 2026.

Stage 2: Interview

At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Experience

• Understanding and experience of using Programming languages (such as Python)
• Experience of utilising GIThub & writing SQL statements

Strengths

The interviews will take place from week commencing 27th July 2026.

This interview will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window).

Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.

Further information on the selection process

Feedback on your application can only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

We will also hold a12 reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.

Should we receive a large number of applications, we may invite a shortlist of the highest performing candidates to interview. This means that some applications that meet the required standard could be placed ‘on hold’ after the sift and invited to interview if the vacant position(s) remain unfilled. You will be notified if your application is being put ‘on hold’ once the sift has been completed.

Appointments for this position will be made in order of merit. If you are successful in the selection process but there are no further available posts for the advertised role, you may be contacted to discuss an offer for a lower graded role (with similar experience and responsibility requirements).

If you are unsuccessful in the selection process, your application may be considered for a lower graded position if your demonstrated skills and experience meet the requirements of the alternative position. Candidates will be considered in order of merit.

AI Tools and Platforms

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert or the information on our website, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit theHow We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

If your application is successful but you have been dismissed from the Civil Service, your application could be removed at the pre-employment checking stage depending on the nature of the dismissal.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

All external applicants and current employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) will be required to undergo a Social Media Check. A Social Media Check is a review of your publicly available online activity, typically across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and others. The purpose is to identify any public posts or content that could raise concerns for employers, such as:

• Hate speech or discriminatory behaviour
• Threats or acts of violence
• Illegal activity or substance misuse
• Sexually explicit material
• Extremist views or affiliations

Importantly, this check does not involve hacking into your accounts or accessing private messages. It only considers content you have chosen to make public. Employers use this kind of screening to help ensure their workplace remains safe, inclusive, and aligned with company values. It’s not about judging your personality or lifestyle - it’s about checking for potential red flags that might affect the role or company culture. If you have questions or concerns about the social media check, we would be happy to explain in more detail what’s being looked at and how your data is handled securely and fairly.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : digital Recruitment Team
• Email : digitalrecruitment@dvsa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here (https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/) to visit Civil Service Commission

Attachments

Data_Engineer__Job_Description_2025_V3 Opens in new window (docx, 783kB)