Data Analyst Review

I work within a small team undertaking reporting on how IT Services have been delivered to internal employees. This typically involves the creation and maintenance of reports both for "business as usual" activities as well as for some end-user affecting projects at times. The reports that I and my team create are typically used by IT Infrastructure teams and their management and usually relates to ITIL processes such as Change Enablement, Incident Management, and Problem Management.

The level 4 Data analyst apprenticeship has been quite educational for me by consolidating some knowledge I already had, but more so in teaching me new methods of looking at data and data analysis methods, learning to program in Python, as well as considering the impact of different chart types, and their suitability for different audiences, and the use of colour and how that use needs to be accessible for vision impairment

The programme has been both enjoyable but difficult at times. There is definitely a need to be disciplined with time and focus to be able to learn new skills, knowledge and behaviours whilst continuing to deliver service and meet targets. Having an understanding manager is a must. Group work with other apprentices on the same programme is great as you get to hear about other peoples experiences and get to know people outside of your usual circles.

The programme was structured quite well, with the course modules delivered at regular time intervals . There was also flexibility in the programme so that if some work items had a hard deadline or if something unexpected came up, a learning due date could be extended after discussion with the learner success coach; though this can be a double-edged sword as the learning deliverable still needs to be met, so if learning is delayed, then at some point work needs to be delayed so that learning can be caught up.

I was in a slightly different situation to some of the other learners as I have a line manager and a functional manager. Both of these were very supportive of my learning. My functional manager helped with any prioritisation that was needed with my work and was available to review my output as I applied new skills which I had learnt.

My training provider has a "learner success coach" working with us to ensure that we are progressing through the topics and was able to get us time from subject matter experts that hosted workshops for us to help understand the topics we learned. In addition, towards the end of the programme they introduced a helpdesk system with some knowledge articles for common questions / problems and a new way to request help for specific issues.

This qualification, Level 4 Data Analyst, fits in very well with my job role and provides me with the confidence that I am competent to undertake the work and that I can bring value to the team with my new skills and knowledge. Further to my usual work in creating reports, I feel that I can help other teams associated with mine by helping them with data analysis activities.

The company arranges various social events. These are organised at various different levels as well, such as events for people at specific sites across all staff there, to events arranged specifically for certain departments like a sports days for the various IT Infrastructure teams, to country specific events. In addition to this people individually arrange events, such as someone putting up posters for a 5-a-side league. On top of this there is a Corporate Social Responsibility team that arrange for volunteering events to help with specific charities in the local communities for each office location

Yes

I have been with the company for a long time and have been lucky to have been able to work in several different roles over the years, albeit all within the IT Infrastructure space. One of the main things that I have enjoyed whilst working here is the people and culture.

My route into the company was a little different to most, a previous colleague from a previous employer recruited me but when I arrange she had moved on. However, I found the people I was working with and supporting to be really nice so I stayed. My advice to anyone applying would be to be open, honest, and be themselves. Whilst an interview is usually about representatives of the employer trying to understand an applicant, it is also an opportunity for an applicant to find out about people that they might be working with or for, so don't be afraid to ask questions in return.