Data Analyst Apprentice Review

My role is very varied. I work with service managers so support them with data to improve performance and drive excellent quality work. This includes reporting on KPIs and performance, budgeting, reviewing processes, creating dashboards and meeting stakeholders. I review with the service managers on their goals and help them achieve this through different means. I am also responsible for maintaining any reports and dashboards I create and adapting them to changing requirements.

I have been taught a range of new software and applications which help provide data and resources to allow me to create these analytical pieces. I have developed my coding skill, even though it is not a huge part of my day-to-day role, it has been useful and I have developed this through various projects. I have also improved my communication skills since I have to interact with a range of stakeholders and audiences, it is important to tailor discussions and data to the appropriate audience to convey the correct view.

I immensely enjoy this apprenticeship as it gives me the responsibilities I would not have had at this age and stage in my career. I feel that I can confidently discuss with my peers and managers regarding reports and general work and have suitable support and input from them. It has a good balance regarding learning and working.

I believe it has been organised well on the work side with Vodafone. The university side of the programme however has not been organised well regarding tutor availability, deadlines and lecture structures as there has been several occasions where communication has been poor leading to issues amongst me and my peers. I do however have enough support that these issues can be raised by my manager's side within Vodafone to be discussed with the university.

I receive lots of support from my employer. My manager encourages me in every way regarding the apprenticeship and is keen to provide and help in any way that they can. The company is very supportive with its youth programmes and has taken steps to ensure we feel confident with our work/university balance.

The training provider has been good when working towards the qualification, however communication at times has been poor. Since the training is entirely virtual, it can be challenging to address issues in comparison to full-time students. Tutors are available, but since we spend one day out of five on university, when needing support outside of this, it can be quite challenging with short deadlines and availability.

The qualification has provided me the knowledge surrounding written work. This helps when writing up reports and documents. Additionally, some of the content we have covered can be applied to projects. By the end of the qualification, I will have gained knowledge on a wide range of topics and applications which can be used to better my analysis of data.

There are plenty of activities on offer through Vodafone and the youth committees. These range from socials organised after work with other apprentices, graduates and interns, sports events within Vodafone, and networking events open to all employees. These can be attended by anyone and are held regularly meaning there is never nothing on!

Yes

Vodafone is a great community of people and are knowledgeable on apprentices and youth programmes. They are supportive with studies and helping you gain your best potential. You are treated like a professional and given the responsibilities you might not elsewhere. I have felt supported and confident that I will thrive within Vodafone.

Vodafone are looking for people who can provide a fresh perspective on processes and procedures that may have been in place for years. There is no particular skills you should have prior to applying since depending on your role, you will learn what to use and how to do things when you start. The company want you to be your authentic self.