Data Engineer Apprentice

Please note that this is an apprenticeship position and therefore anyone with more than six months professional experience working as a Data Engineer or who holds a degree or Master’s degree in a related subject (such as Data Science or similar) will not be eligible.

You will also need to commit to completing a Level 5 Data Engineering Apprenticeship.

About Crimson:

At Crimson, we help public-serving organisations use data, digital and AI to deliver better outcomes for people.

Working here means tackling meaningful problems, delivering work that stands up to scrutiny, and doing it with people who care how it’s done.

Crimson Limited is a technology consultancy and Microsoft Solutions Partner that guides forward-thinking leaders through digital transformation using Microsoft technology and AI.

We exist to help organisations make better decisions and deliver better services. That responsibility shapes our standards, our culture and our expectations of one another. We are ambitious about impact, careful about delivery, and honest about the realities of change.

About this role

We are hiring a Data Engineer Apprentice to train and work alongside experienced Microsoft consultants on real client engagements. You will spend time designing, planning and building data integrations, data pipelines & data platforms. You will work alongside the Chief Data Offices, Data Architects and Data Integration Experts to deliver and operationalise data solutions, including system to system integrations, data lakes and relational databases.

Duties and responsibilities

The following gives an indication of the duties and responsibilities that the post may involve. The post holder will be expected to work flexibly and carry out any work that is reasonably required and is appropriate. The post holder may occasionally be required to work outside of their core hours, this time will be accrued as lieu time to be taken at a point in time as agreed with their line manager. The post holder may also be required to travel when required to carry out their role.

Position summary

This apprenticeship offers an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience and develop practical skills in data science while working towards a recognised qualification. As a member of the Digital Transformation Team, you will support a range of projects, contributing to the development of high-quality data solutions, integrations and platforms. This role enables you to learn from experienced data consultants, collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, and apply your skills to projects that inspire better policy and decision-making.

You will receive comprehensive training and mentorship, developing your expertise in data collection, cleansing, integration, ETL, management, processing and the opportunity to extend into data visualisation and analysis. Upon completion, you will have built a solid foundation in modern data workflows and best practice within a Microsoft environment. As well as ensuring sufficient training to meet your Level 5 Data Engineer Apprenticeship, you will have access to a range of Microsoft training services as part of Crimson’s Digital Transformation Team.

You will;

• Implement data flows to connect operational systems, data for analytics and business intelligence (BI) systems

• Document source-to-target mappings

• Carry out data integrations between systems

• Re-engineer manual data flows to enable scaling and repeatable use

• Support the build of data streaming systems

• Write ETL scripts and code to make sure the ETL process performs optimally

• Develop business intelligence reports that can be re-used

• Build accessible data for analysis

Desired Skills

We are looking for people who have a n interest to understand how things work , ask questions, and explore why data looks the way it does. A good apprentice won’t just follow steps — they’ll want to know what sits behind the process. We are looking for people with:

• A strong interest in data and data platforms, with demonstrable motivation to build a career in this field

• Familiarity with data platforms, data pipelines, and creating data visualisations (coursework, science experiments, projects, or self-study count)

• Some experience with coding (e.g. Python, SQL, or similar) is desirable but not essential

• Excellent problem-solving skills

• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present findings clearly

• A strong team player who can work collaboratively and communicate clearly within a team

• A self-starter with a positive attitude, curious mindset, and willingness to embrace new challenges

• A commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Essential Qualifications

• 7 GCSE’s (or equivalent) at grades 9-4 or A-C including English and Mathematics

• 3 A Levels at grades A - C (or equivalent) in STEM subjects

Applications are encouraged from graduates in subjects including Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biochem, Statistics, Computer Science who are looking for an apprenticeship route to a Data Engineering career.

Salary: £22,000 increasing to £25,000 based on performance in the first 12 months

Location: Crimson offer hybrid working, 3 days in the office, 2 days remote however applicants must be willing to attend the office (Birmingham: B37 7YE) 5 days per week when requested. (E.g. during induction)

Why join us

• Be part of a thriving and dynamic company, that has been voted one of The Times Best Companies to work for in the UK, and where everyone can have a direct impact on our success

• Work in a supportive, structured yet fun environment alongside 6 other apprentices, where you get the help, feedback and mentoring from experienced Microsoft consultants to shape your career

• Earn a competitive salary while you learn, with a pension and 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays)

• Real delivery from day one. Live client engagements not synthetic exercises

• Modern AI tooling; Azure OpenAI, Copilot Studio and the wider Microsoft AI stack as core working tools

• Microsoft certifications; Funded support for professional certifications across Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, and AI

• Career trajectory; a clear route into a permanent role on successful completion of the Level 4 AI & Automation apprenticeship

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