Data Analyst Apprenticeship

HMRC; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 7,800 - 12,000; Full time

Job summary

HMRC is offering a Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship in the United Kingdom. You will work with data to uncover insights, create dashboards, and support decision-making across HMRC while gaining a recognised Level 4 qualification.

You'll balance hands‑on data work with structured learning, supported by mentors, and have the chance to progress within HMRC and the Civil Service over an 18‑month programme.

Qualifications

• Essential: Level 3 qualification or equivalent work experience.
• 5 GCSEs including English and Maths at grade 4 or above.
• Interest in data analytics and willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Apply tools and techniques for data analysis and visualisation.
• Identify, collect, and migrate data to/from various systems.
• Prepare data for analysis and present findings to stakeholders.
• Develop dashboards and reports on service health and performance.
• Support data-driven insights to improve services.

Job description

The Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship at HMRC offers an excellent opportunity to begin a career in data and analytics within the Civil Service. Combining hands‑on experience with structured learning, you’ll work alongside experienced professionals to analyse data, identify trends, and produce insights that support decision‑making across HMRC.

As an apprentice, you’ll gain experience working with data tools, reports and dashboards, helping to improve services and deliver better outcomes for customers. You’ll develop technical, analytical and communication skills whilst learning about data quality, governance and best practice in a large and complex organisation.

With support from experienced colleagues and a recognised Level 4 qualification, this apprenticeship provides a strong foundation for a long‑term career in data and analytics, with clear progression opportunities within HMRC and the wider Civil Service.

Breakdown of Apprenticeship:

You’ll have support from managers, coaches, fellow apprentices, and the Data Analyst community. With experienced mentors guiding your journey, you'll master the latest best practices while forming meaningful connections.

With an average of 6 hours a week reserved for training, you'll earn while progressing towards completion of your 18 month apprenticeship.

Important to Know:

This role is on condition you successfully complete your apprenticeship. Failure to meet this requirement will result in your removal from the apprenticeship. The role will be offered on a loan basis until you successfully complete your apprenticeship. If you fail or withdraw from the apprenticeship you will return to your business area and your loan will end. On completion of the apprenticeship your role will become permanent. Please discuss this with your line manager before applying.

Your manager will provide you with further details about the apprenticeship programme, including the structure of assessments and, where applicable, the number of permitted attempts to pass, if they have not already done so.

To assess your eligibility for the apprenticeship, QA, our approved learning provider will conduct the apprenticeship eligibility checks and aptitude test if applicable, before HMRC can confirm your successful offer onto this apprenticeship. This will require HMRC sharing your contact details with the learning provider who will contact you directly. Information is gathered in accordance with the Education and Skills Funding Authority (ESFA) guidance.

Please note that candidates who are successful at interview will be placed on a temporary hold status. This is to allow QA to complete their own internal checks. Once these checks have been successfully completed and passed, the candidates will then proceed to complete their pre‑employment checks with HMRC.

Person specification

Key Responsibilities:

• Apply tools and techniques for data analysis and visualisation.
• Identify, collect, and migrate data to and from a range of systems.
• Manage, clean, abstract, and aggregate data for analysis.
• Manipulate and link different datasets to support insights.
• Summarise and present data and conclusions in appropriate formats.
• Perform data preparation and cleansing with guidance.
• Support project teams with data‑driven insights and recommendations.
• Support continual improvement initiatives to improve the quality and accuracy of service and asset data.
• Analyse data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Develop dashboards and reports on service health and performance.
• Support risk identification and reduction through data analysis.
• Monitor service data and KPIs to help protect live services.
• Produce and effectively translate management information to support governance and decision‑making.
• Automate reporting and analysis to improve efficiency.
• Work with stakeholders to deliver actionable insights.

Who can apply for an apprenticeship?

To start an apprenticeship, you’ll need to be:

• 16 or over
• Have the right to live and work in the UK
• not in full‑time education

You can apply for an apprenticeship (opens in a new window) while you’re still at school but you’ll need to be 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays to start the apprenticeship.

Please note - if successful you must be 16 or over to undergo the relevant security checks.

A condition of your employment is the successful completion of your apprenticeship within the expected duration of 18 months. Failure to meet this requirement may result in HMRC removing you from the Apprenticeship Programme and/or terminating your employment.

Your training requirements and probation period will run concurrently. If you do not successfully complete your probation and/or the apprenticeship—where it is a specific requirement of your role—your employment with HMRC may be subject to termination.

Your manager will provide you with further details about the training programme, including the structure of assessments and, where applicable, the number of permitted attempts to pass, if they have not already done so.

Mandatory Requirements Details:

• Be able to work at least 30 hours per week (or follow an extended apprenticeship if part‑time).
• Qualifications:Essential Qualifications for the apprenticeship:Level 3 qualification (apprenticeship/A‑levels/BTEC, etc) or equivalent work experience (typically two years in a relevant role)Plus:5 GCSEs, including English and Maths at Grade 4 (C) or above.Experience with using Excel (in particular pivot tables and XLookup) and Microsoft products (or similar)Important: Candidates should not hold a qualification of the same type, content and level (or above) as this qualification. Candidates who already hold a level 4 or equivalent in a relevant subject are NOT eligible.

A condition of your employment is the successful completion of your apprenticeship within the expected duration of 18 months. Failure to meet this requirement may result in HMRC removing you from the Apprenticeship Programme and/or terminating your employment.

Once the vacancy is closed, you will receive an invitation to complete an IKM assessment. The assessment will test your knowledge and skills on Data Analytics Once you receive the invitation, you will have 5 days to complete the assessment. Once the test has been completed it will then be reviewed and candidates who meet the minimum threshold will pass through to Sift. Please Note: The assessment itself is timed, and once you begin the test, you will need to complete it within the allocated time limit. We therefore recommend that you start the assessment when you can dedicate sufficient uninterrupted time to complete it. Due to timescales associated with the sift and interview process NO extensions to the assessment deadline will be permitted. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you in completing the assessment, please let us know as soon as possible so that appropriate arrangements can be considered.Essential CriteriaStrong numerical and analytical thinking skills, with an awareness of the importance of careful data analysis to produce clear and meaningful insights.Ability to communicate the story that data tells and engage effectively with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.Strong written and verbal communication skills.Enthusiasm for learning and continuous professional development.Ability to work collaboratively and effectively within a team environment.Basic understanding of data concepts and principles.Ability to organise and prioritise work effectively while maintaining accuracy.An interest in using data to improve services, inform decisions, and solve business problems.