Junior Data Engineer(Apprentice)

Care Quality Commission; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A regulatory body is seeking a Data Engineer Apprentice to design, build, and maintain data pipelines crucial for their regulatory insights. This role offers a fully funded Level 5 Data Engineering apprenticeship, where you will learn while working alongside experienced professionals. The ideal candidate should have some programming experience, strong communication skills, and a motivation to complete structured learning. Benefits include flexible working options and a Civil Service pension.

Benefits

Learning and development tailored to your role

Flexible working options

Civil Service pension with 28.97% contribution

Qualifications

• Programming experience ideally in Python.
• Motivated to complete structured apprenticeship.
• Some experience using databases or SQL.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain data pipelines using Python and SQL.
• Design and optimise data products in Azure.
• Collaborate with QA engineers to ensure data quality.

Skills

Programming experience (Python preferred)

Skills in SQL

Data modelling

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Education

Level 2 English and Maths (GCSE grade C/4 or above)

Tools

Python

SQL

Azure Data Factory

Databricks

Job description

Make A Difference

Are you curious about how data can improve the way we make decisions? Do you enjoy solving problems and want to develop technical skills that make a genuine impact? Join our Data & Insight (D&I) team as a Data Engineer Apprentice, and help us design, build and maintain the data pipelines that power our regulatory insights. You will work alongside experienced data engineers in our Enterprise Data & Reporting function, supporting projects that shape how CQC uses data across the organisation. While you learn on the job, you'll complete a fully funded Level 5 Data Engineering apprenticeship with our training partner.

What you’ll learn

• The full data engineering lifecycle and principles of data modelling.
• Designing and maintaining analytics pipelines that deliver actionable insights.
• Maximising the value of business data through clean, reliable data flows.
• Building core technical and leadership skills that support data‑driven decision‑making.
• You will spend around 6 hours per week in structured learning (previously 20% off‑the‑job time) and the rest applying your new skills on live projects.
• You’ll be supported by a line manager, mentors and peers, and have access to internal communities and learning tools.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain data pipelines using tools such as Python, SQL, Azure Data Factory and Databricks.
• Design and optimise data products and data models in the cloud (Azure).
• Collaborate with QA engineers and senior colleagues to ensure data quality and reliability.
• Take part in initiatives like team hackathons, applying new skills to real‑world challenges.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Have some programming experience (ideally Python, but others welcome).
• Are keen to build skills in SQL, data modelling, testing, Git, CI/CD and a DevOps mindset.
• Communicate clearly and work well in a team.
• Are motivated to complete a structured apprenticeship and apply learning at work.
• Experience working with data – using databases, Excel or SQL to query, analyse and manage information.
• A practical approach to solving technical problems where data or systems are involved.
• Some experience writing code (Python, SQL or Scala) and an interest in growing your capability further.
• Applicants must have lived in the UK or the European Economic Area (EEA) for the past three consecutive years.
• No prior Data or Computer Science degree or similar experience.
• Not be currently enrolled in another funded apprenticeship or overlapping course.
• Commit to the minimum planned off‑the‑job learning time (6 hours per week) for the duration of the programme.
• Hold Level 2 English and Maths (GCSE grade C/4 or above), or be willing to complete Functional Skills as part of the programme.

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.