Vacancy -- Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) Pathway Apprenticeships - Cardiff/Swansea

The Welsh Government's recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

Do you have an interest in technology and how it can be used to improve services and make them easier to use?  Are you enthusiastic about problem solving and coming up with new, creative ideas? Do you have good communications skills and like to get to the root of a problem?  If so, the Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) Pathway Apprenticeship can offer you the first step towards a career in the digital, data and technology profession.

The DDaT Pathway Apprenticeship is an 18 month Level 3 apprenticeship in ICT, Software, Web and Telecoms with a starting salary of £19,240 and a position within Welsh Government.

 

What will I do as a DDaT Pathway Apprentice?

You will work alongside digital, data and technology (DDaT) professions in teams across Welsh Government who are making our services and websites better.  Welsh Government has DDaT professionals working in a range of areas including:

• Health
• Tourism
• Education
• Environment

During your apprenticeship you will have a minimum of two placements, offering the opportunity to see the breadth of work being done across Welsh Government.  During these placements you will develop a range of skills, such as:

• Coding
• Testing
• Website development
• IT Security
• Business analysis
• Agile working
• Making effective use of data
• Presenting information in creative and interesting ways
• Communication skills
• Organisational skills

Placements will also give you a flavour of the different roles within the DDaT profession allowing you to consider your future career options. 

Once you have successfully completed the DDaT Pathway apprenticeship you will be eligible to apply for the Level 4 Specialist DDaT Apprenticeship, which will allow you to specialise in a particular role within the profession.

 

What qualification and training will I get?

You will study for Level 3 apprenticeship in ICT, Software, Web and Telecoms.  As well as getting the best possible work experience, you will attend college sessions and meet regularly with your tutor who will support you through the qualification.

The classroom based sessions will last for a minimum of 18 months. You’ll spend 80% of this time developing your skills on your placements and 20% doing classroom training, online learning, self-study, or completing assignments. To achieve your Level 3 apprenticeship certificate (a qualification in its own right), you will need to successfully complete all your work, assignments, exams and produce a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates all the competencies included in the standard.

You will receive additional training and support from the digital, data and technology profession within Welsh Government as well as having access to Welsh Government training and development.

 

Where can I work?

DDaT Pathway Apprentices are expected to be flexible and willing to travel for training and placements.  

The training for the cohort will be held in Cardiff to ensure there are sufficient numbers to run the sessions.  We will endeavor to minimise the number of trips you will need to make and ensure that the trips you do make are meaningful with additional opportunities available.  We envisage that you will need to spend up to 4 weeks training in Cardiff for the duration of the apprenticeship and these will be grouped as one week bootcamps. The cost of travel for training can be recovered.

By applying for this apprenticeship, you will be willing to work in one of the following locations:

• Cardiff
• Swansea

We will consider your location preferences when assigning you to postings but we cannot guarantee we will be able to offer a placement in your preferred location.  We will consider requests to work in specific locations based on personal circumstances like caring responsibilities.  Tell us your preferred location in the 'Additional Information' box.

 

What are you looking for in a DDaT Pathway Apprentice?

We are looking for someone who is:

• Interested in technology
• Passionate about improving the way things are done
• Open to change and trying new things
• Good at problem solving
• Logical and methodical
• Analytical

What are the entry requirements?

To be eligible to apply you:

• will be at least 16 years of age by March 2019.  There is no upper age limit
• will not be in full-time education when you start in March 2019
• don’t need any specific qualification. If you already hold a qualification at Level 3 or above in ICT, Software, Web and Telecoms Professionals or a similar subject, you may not be eligible for this apprenticeship scheme (if in doubt please check by e-mailing lleoliadau.placements@gov.wales )
• will need to meet the Civil Service Nationality requirements to apply.

To apply, you'll need to complete the online application form, and prepare a Personal Statement document answering the following 4 questions:

1. Think about an example of technology improving an aspect of daily life (for example a new app, a device or a website).  In no more than 500 words, tell us how you think technology improved the aspect of daily life and what you think the positive and negatives are of this example.
2. We want our apprentices to take initiative, challenge how things are done and come up with new ideas to improve how we work.  Tell us about a time when you’ve come up with an idea to improve the way things are done.  (Changing and Improving)
3. We expect our apprentices to be able to communicate clearly with a range of people within and outside of Welsh Government, using appropriate methods (phone, e-mail etc.). Tell us about a time when you’ve communicated an idea to different groups of people. (Leading and Communicating)
4. As an apprentice, from time to time you will come across challenges or problems which will need to be dealt with quickly and effectively. Tell us about a time when you have identified and dealt with a problem quickly and effectively.  (Delivering at Pace)

You should aim to write around 500 words for the first question, and then around 300 words each for the remaining questions.    You should upload your Personal Statement document in either Word or Pdf format on the 'Attach Supplementary Document' page of the application form.  Also, remember to tell us your preferred location in the 'Additonal Information' box.

Once you’ve submitted your application form, the selection process will consist of the following stages:

• Stage 1 - First stage sift on Question 1
• Stage 2 - Second stage sift on Questions 2, 3 and 4
• Stage 3 - Interviews and eligibility checks

For more detail about the application and interview process please read the Candidate Guidance.

Welsh language is a good skill to have and is desirable but not essential for these roles. We encourage Welsh speakers at all levels to apply for these posts as we want to increase the bilingual capability of the Digital, Data and Technology Profession within Welsh Government. We have a range of roles with opportunities to put your skills to use. We can also help you to learn or improve your Welsh if you want to.

All applications for this vacancy should be made online via the Welsh Government's online application system.  If you have a disability which would prevent you from applying on-line, please e-mail SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales to request an application pack in an alternative format, to request a reasonable adjustment related to a disability or support to submit your application.

We encourage applications from disabled people.  There is additional support available in the workplace for disabled people completing an Apprenticeship at the Welsh Government.

To apply, you'll need to have an account on our online application system.  Click the 'Apply' button below, and you'll be asked to 'Log in' if you already have an account, or 'Register' if you don't yet have an account.  Registration takes just a few minutes to complete.  You'll need an e-mail address to be able to register.  Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form, which you'll need to fully complete and submit before the deadline on the closing date.  

If you’d like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the ‘Language/Iaith' menu at the top of this page to take you to the Welsh version of this advert, from which you can apply in Welsh by clicking the 'Gwneud Cais' button at the bottom of the Welsh advert.

The Welsh Government recruits using the Civil Service Competency Framework (link)

General information about the Apprenticeships, including an FAQ document, is available on our web page. If you can't find the information you're looking for, contact the Corporate Shared Service Centre Helpdesk on 03000 255454 or SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales

11/01/2019, 16:00