2027 Data Science Apprentice - Level 6 Data Scientist

Thales Group; Crawley Down; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid/flexible working

Pension

Private medical insurance

Employee discounts

Health Care Cash Plan

Learning and development support

Volunteer hours

Annual bonus

Job summary

Thales Group in the United Kingdom is seeking a Data Scientist Apprentice to develop data-driven solutions. You will work with datasets, learn to build predictive models, and generate insights to support business decisions, alongside experienced data professionals.

The programme covers data science concepts, Python/SQL programming, analytics, and governance, with a focus on responsible AI and stakeholder engagement, all within a hybrid working setup.

Qualifications

• 3 A levels (BBC) including Maths
• Minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above (Maths at Grade 5/C or above) including English Language
• Level 4 Data Analyst qualification can be considered on case-by-case basis

Responsibilities

• Identify business challenges and use data science techniques to propose solutions.
• Collect, prepare, cleanse, and analyse data from multiple sources.
• Support development and testing of predictive models and analytical solutions.
• Collaborate with data teams to create dashboards and data products used across the business.
• Evaluate model performance and contribute to continuous improvement of analytics.

Skills

Data Science

Analytics

Machine Learning

Statistics

Data Engineering

Data Visualization

Python

SQL

Education

A levels (BBC)

GCSE Maths & English

Level 4 Data Analyst qualification

Tools

Python

SQL

Job description

About the Role

As a Data Scientist Apprentice, you will be valued for your curiosity, analytical mindset, and passion for solving problems using data. You will work with a variety of datasets, tools, and technologies to identify trends, build predictive models, and generate insights that support business decision-making.

Working alongside experienced data professionals, you will learn how to transform raw data into valuable business intelligence and help develop data-driven solutions that create measurable impact.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Identifying business challenges and using data science techniques to recommend solutions.
• Collecting, preparing, cleansing, and analysing data from multiple sources.
• Building skills in:
• Data Science and Analytics
• Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
• Statistical Analysis
• Data Engineering Fundamentals
• Data Visualisation and Storytelling
• Programming and Automation (e.g. Python, SQL)
• Supporting the development and testing of predictive models and analytical solutions.
• Working with data teams to create data products, dashboards, and insights used across the business.
• Evaluating model performance and supporting continuous improvement of analytical solutions.

What You Will Learn

Throughout the apprenticeship, you will gain experience and knowledge in:

• Data collection, preparation, and management techniques.
• Statistical methods and hypothesis testing.
• Programming languages such as Python and SQL.
• Machine learning concepts and model development.
• Data visualisation and storytelling techniques.
• Exploratory and predictive analytics.
• Artificial Intelligence fundamentals and responsible AI practices.
• Data governance, ethics, and compliance.
• Cloud-based analytics and data science platforms.
• Business and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Communicating technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Project management and agile ways of working.

Apprenticeship Programme

You will study towards a Level 6 Data Scientist Apprenticeship with The University of Nottingham. The programme is delivered over 42 months through a blend of:

• On-campus learning
• Online study
• Workplace-based learning

You will typically attend university for a minimum of 4 weeks each academic year, delivered in 1-week blocks. On successful completion of the programme and End Point Assessment, you will achieve:

• A fully funded BSc (Hons) Data Science degree
• A Level 6 Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship qualification

Entry Requirements

To apply, you will need:

• 3 A levels (BBC) including Maths (Citizenship Skills, General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted)
• Or a Level 4 Data Analyst qualification will be considered on a case-by-case basis
• Minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above (Maths at Grade 5/C or above) Must include English Language and Mathematics

Please note that those with a relevant degree will not be eligible for this programme.

Benefits

• Competitive salary of £24,000 per annum
• Performance-related pay uplifts
• Holiday entitlement of 201 hours a year (plus a company day and bank holidays)
• Contributory Company Pension
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Hybrid/flexible working options
• Employee assistance programme
• Learning and development support
• Employee discounts and wellbeing initiatives
• Life Cover
• 80 Hours Volunteering per year (first two years)

To be considered for this position, you must have the permanent right to work in the UK and be able to successfully complete and maintain UK Government security checks, including Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) screening and Security Clearance (SC), which is a government background check, before starting employment.To be eligible for SC clearance, you will typically need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last five years. As part of the vetting process, you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity, right to work in the UK, any time spent overseas during the last five years, and your employment and/or education history.

Because of the work we do at Thales, all roles are subject to security requirements.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

Closing date: Our applications will close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 17 February 2027, this is the only time we will be accepting applications this year. Please note, we will be in contact by the end of February 2027 with details of next steps.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ROLES MAY CLOSE EARLIER THAN THE ADVERTISED DEADLINE IF WE RECEIVE A HIGH NUMER OF APPLICATIONS. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID MISSING OUT ON THIS OPPORTUNITY.