Analytics Manager Review

My role is to digitalise processes, gather data, transform and present data for reporting, dashboards and analysis. I make applications, integrations and database objects. I use Power BI, Python, SQL. I engage a variety of stakeholders to create digital innovation, data and AI strategy.

Yes, a lot of people / business skills, software specific skills through using tools in the workplace. The training provider does not adapt content for apprentices though, so the content is focused on things that are too easy for apprentices, not challenging technical skills. There are huge gaps in the course content, much of it out of date.

I enjoy the programme, but I had no mentors in the workplace or obvious career pathway because data analysis is new to the industry of construction. I didn’t want to be the expert, I wanted to learn from experts. The uni could have been more inspiring and challenging. I have brought about a lot of good experiences myself by attending conferences and events outside of work and uni.

No organisation from the apprenticeship service, poor organisation from the uni, sometimes leaving us with a full time student workload (3 modules) in one semester and only one module in the next semester, causing unnecessary stress with multiple simultaneous exams and deadlines which could have been paced more appropriately for a part time degree. The workplace is organised but no specific program of development internally. No coordination between the 3 parties, all of them requiring their own set of admin from the apprentice. KSBs are abstract and do not mean anything, have no specific examples and constantly having to reference them is a waste of time. Having to log off the job hours for university even though this is a set program, known in advance using excel sheets and zip files, waste of time. Course content not adapted for apprentices meant it’s too easy and focused on skills the apprentices already gained quickly in the workplace, lectures largely a waste of valuable time. Most learning is through self directed learning and some of the coursework.

Lots of support. My employer recognised that I need further stimulus due to the lack of access to experts for my area in the business so they supported me to travel to international conferences. (Euro Python) in Dublin and Prague. However, wider business issues about where analytics sits in the business mean a lack of support from IT because I sit outside of IT but that’s where the skill sets are that could support my learning. Business has supported me personally with career progression and involvement in strategy to bring about change and shaping future learning.

There is moral support from individuals at the training provider, and further support can be requested. However, the content and level of it is not supportive of our learning, nor is it inspiring, with much of it out of date, and does not exceed the A level in computer science I already completed. I learn through challenging myself in personal projects.

As a subject and passion it helps me to perform highly, but the actual course content is not to a high enough level and is too broad to have an impact on its own, so it doesn’t help me to perform better. Being given time to work on coursework projects helps me perform better, but this is because I adapt them to something interesting and take it to a higher level to include skills beyond requirement that I would like to learn.

Some networking events for apprentices and graduates. Even though I was an apprentice I took part in the graduate project. Attendance at industry events is supported and enabled. I found I need to go outside the industry of construction for the type of events which help me learn. Data Science Festival, PyData, EuroPython and I was supported to attend these. The business is quite distributed geographically and I know there is lots to be involved in but I find I am too busy to get involved in much more.

Yes

A company full of good people who have a wide range of experiences in life and career, where people are supported and listened to. There is lots of opportunity in Skanska and continued life long learning is supported. The business has many aspects and functional areas to interest everyone and help make a wider positive impact to society.

You can be yourself, Skanska is modern and open to all, do your research into what Skanska actually does and if you know the area of the business you’re applying to, find out more about its projects. Think about why your role is important to Skanska so that you know how you will be adding value and this should prepare you well for interview.