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The Department for Transport is recruiting two Transport Modeller Apprentices to join the Analysis directorate. Working as part of the wider DfT analyst community, you will contribute to work that helps make people’s journeys safer, cleaner, faster and more affordable. You do not need previous modelling experience; what matters is that you enjoy complex maths challenges, are keen to learn, and want to develop your skills through real work and structured study.

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 and 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 DfTc: Department for Transport Central - Department for Transport Careers

Job description

As a Transport Modeller Apprentice, you will develop analytical, coding and modelling skills while supporting real transport analysis. You will start with simpler tasks and be coached by your line manager in the fundamentals of transport modelling, with opportunities to apply your learning to work across areas such as transport solution design, stakeholder engagement, sustainability and behavioural change.

For this opportunity, you don’t need to have modelling expertise. What’s important is that you enjoy getting your teeth into complex maths challenges and have a desire to learn. We’ll start you off with simpler tasks, then your line manager will coach you in the fundamentals of transport modelling as well as giving you plenty of opportunities to apply your skills to genuine work. This work will focus on areas such as Stakeholder and Community Engagement, Transport Solution Design, and Sustainability & Behavioural Change Programmes. This will be complemented by studying for a part time BSc in Transport Planning with Northeastern University London – more details are available here.

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

Developing an understanding of data sets produced by statistician colleagues and collating the right data for modelling tasks.
Analysing data using tools such as Excel, R and Python.
Running modelling scenarios to help predict the impact of new policies on the transport network.
Using Geographic Information System software to map and analyse transport data.
Reviewing scheme assessment documents and summarising findings for analyst colleagues.
Helping move existing models to more powerful coding tools, including preparing data, designing code, checking errors and debugging.
Quality assuring modelling results by cross-checking outputs.
Visualising data clearly for both analytical and non-analytical audiences.

For further information on the role, please read the 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.

About the Level 6 Transport Planner Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship is an exciting opportunity to ‘earn whilst you learn’ by combining theoretical learning with practical ‘on-the-job’ experience; allowing you to work towards a nationally recognised qualification, whilst building skills in your daily role and earning a salary. An apprenticeship also allows you to secure a qualification with no tuition / student fees as the programme is fully funded by the department. You will spend 20% of your contracted working hours dedicated to your apprenticeship and will be surrounded by a supportive network.

You will be allocated an apprentice buddy and will have regular development conversations with a dedicated learning coach and the DfT Apprenticeship Team to ensure your learning needs are met and you are on track to successfully complete your apprenticeship. You will be part of an apprentice community which will provide you with the opportunity to support, network and share experiences with each other, as you embark on your apprenticeship journey together. The apprenticeship will provide you with new skills to apply to your job role, ensuring you are continuously learning, in a stretching but supportive environment. You can find out more about the apprenticeship standard here.

Person specification

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

Experience of using a software package, such as Excel or a coding package, to achieve effective outcomes.
Experience of proactively taking steps to improve your skills and knowledge, either personally or professionally.

Additional Information

To be eligible for this apprenticeship, you must:

Have the right to work in the UK.
Hold at least a grade 5 in GCSE English and a grade 7 in GCSE Maths, or equivalent qualifications.
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 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.

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/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

There will be a requirement to travel to London one a year for the duration of your apprenticeship.

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.

Visa Sponsorship

DfTc does not offer Visa Sponsorship for this role.

Qualifications

Grade 5 in GCSE English and Grade 7 in GCSE Maths, or equivalent qualifications

Behaviours

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

Developing Self and Others
Making Effective Decisions
Delivering at Pace
Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,485, Department for Transport 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.
Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

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, Ability and Experience.

How to apply:

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

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Online test
Stage 2: Sift of CV and personal statement
Stage 3: Interview

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

Stage 1: Online test

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

Ability - numerical capability.

After submission of the first stage of your application (personal details), you will be invited to complete a Civil Service numerical test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the full application.

Please complete the online test as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended) to give yourself enough time to complete your full application. Both the online test and the full application must be completed by the closing date on the advert, otherwise your application will be rejected.

Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The test is administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

Our online test supplier will be performing scheduled maintenance between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on 19th July and 3 p.m. and midnight on 2nd August. You will be unable to access tests during this period.

If you are in the middle of a test when the maintenance begins, your progress will be paused. You will be able to resume your test from where you left off via your application centre once the downtime has ended. Please note that you will not be able to launch any new tests while the system is offline.

Stage 2: Sift

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

Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (500-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:

using a software package, such as Excel or a coding package, to achieve effective outcomes
proactively taking steps to improve your skills and knowledge, either personally or professionally

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

The sift will take place week commencing 3rd August.

Stage 3: Interview

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

Behaviours - Developing Self and Others, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing
Experience
Strengths

The interview will include a Transport Modeller numerical test. Further information will provided if you are invited to interview.

The interviews will take place week commencing 17th August.

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

We will also hold a 12-month 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.

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.

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.

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How 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.

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 : Mohammed Hussain
Email : mohammed.hussain@dft.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: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here

Attachments

Role Profile - Transport Modeller Apprentice Opens in new window (pdf, 276kB)

Salary range

£30,485 per year