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About the job
Benefits
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Location
About the job
Job summary
At the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), we encourage applications from everyone, particularly groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. We pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has and promote inclusivity and equality of opportunity for all. Our recruitment process is anonymised, which means that your name, date of birth and other personal details will not be seen by the sift panel.
Contract type:Data Engineering ApprenticeProgramme – Fixed Term Appointment (24 months).
Do you have the drive and ambition to develop your skills to build a career in IT?
Are you looking for a rewarding job that pays you while you train, while gaining a nationally recognised qualification with an award-winning leader in digital transformation?
If so, there's no better place to start than our Data Engineering Apprentice programme.
Job description
We are looking for apprentice Data Engineers to join DVLA’s Date Engineering team. You will learn how to help build tools, services and pipelines to make data available to analysts, data scientists and report builders.
Successful applicants will have good analytical skills and take a positive approach to solving problems.
What is a Data Engineer?
Data engineers are responsible for finding trends in data sets and building algorithms to help make raw data more useful and enriched to the organisation. This IT role requires a significant set of technical skills, including a deep knowledge of SQL database design and multiple programming languages. But data engineers also need communication skills to work across departments to understand what business leaders want to gain from the company’s large datasets.
This programme will combine classroom training with hands on experience, designed to teach you the skills you need to succeed in a long-term career in IT.
Successful candidates will spend up to one day a week in a classroom environment. The rest of their time will provide on-the-job experience, working directly with teams as part of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s (DVLA) IT community. This is a fantastic opportunity where you will grow your wider skills such as teamwork, resilience, communication, and problem solving.
By end of the programme you will earn a Level 3 or 4 qualification in IT.
Would you like to find out more? If so, we are organising a session where you can virtually 'meet the team' on 28th March 2024 at 12pm.
Please click here to book on.
Responsibilities
Your responsibilities will include but will not be limited to:
- Working with data users to understand and meet their needs.
- Helping to build robust and scalable automated data pipelines
- Learning how to use Infrastructure as code to deploy Azure cloud infrastructure.
- Being part of an Agile Scrum team, creating, estimating, developing, and testing of product backlog items.
You will have the opportunity to build/develop your skills in a cloud platform and the following - Azure, Event Hubs, Structured Streaming, Databricks, Delta Lake, Azure Data Factory, Azure DevOps, SQL, Python.
Successful candidates will spend up to one day a week in a college/university environment. The rest of their time will provide on-the-job experience, working directly with teams as part of DVLA’s IT community. This is a fantastic opportunity where you will grow your wider skills such as teamwork, resilience, communication, and problem solving.
The programme will include undertaking a number of qualifications that will require examinations as well as on-team training. There will be regular assessment points to evaluate the progress and proficiency of candidates. Your learning portfolio will be assessed at checkpoints throughout the programme, failure to successfully meet the standard during checkpoints could result in 3 months’ notice being provided to cease employment.
We reserve the right to seek full or partial repayment of costs associated with your qualification, should you not contribute to the programme, or may include related costs such as exam fees, membership fees or materials.
Working for the DVLA Digital Team
At DVLA, licensing is just the start. Every project you implement, touch, and deliver has a ripple effect that’ll wash across the entire nation. Here, the work you’re doing has the capacity to change the way over 50 million people interact with our services. As we aim to keep our roads some the safest in the world, our innovative, transformative, digital-led services help optimise an entire nation of individuals and businesses every single day. That’s huge. No two ways about it.
To see how our people are transforming our digital services, head over to our DVLA Digital Services Blog and, to understand more about the great opportunities and benefits of working at DVLA read our Inside DVLA blog.
For more information about the role and responsibilities please see the attached Role Profile.
Additional Information
Applications will be accepted from full time applicants. Full time roles at DVLA consist of 37 hours per week. Flexible working may also be available subject to the needs of the business. If you have a flexible working requirement, you should contact the vacancy holder in advance of making an application to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your desired working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role. To contact the vacancy holder, please use the job contact details listed under ‘Contact point for applicants’.
This role will be based in Swansea, and we will be operating a hybrid working model that allows you to work between home and on-site giving you greater flexibility about where and when you work, subject to business needs and this also allows for ongoing support, development, and collaboration with colleagues.
Therefore, the expectation is that you will spend a minimum of 60% of your working time based at your principal workplace (DVLA). We would encourage you to discuss the working arrangements for this role with us during the recruitment process.
Person specification
You will be motivated and proactive with a passion for a career in Software Development. Good organisational skills will be required. You must be able to work on your own initiative and perform under pressure. You will be organised with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise appropriately.
Successful applicants will have good analytical skills, a keen eye for detail and take a positive, proactive approach to solving problems.
Eligibility/Qualifications
To be eligible to apply for an apprenticeship, applicants must:
- Be 16+ when the apprenticeship starts (12th August 2024) to be able to start on this date
- Have left full-time education
- Not be in receipt of funding for other learning programmes
- Have the right to work in the UK
- Have valid and eligible residency status and be resident in the UK for 5 years before the start of their apprenticeship
In order to be eligible for our apprenticeship vacancy you must be able to qualify for the apprenticeship funding, any qualifications previously held or currently being worked towards must differ in content so that this apprenticeship provides substantial new skills.
If you therefore currently hold or are working towards a similar qualification (apprenticeship in IT of the same level or higher (Level 3 or 4), then we encourage you to speak with us, so that we can assess suitability, and look to identify an appropriate qualification for you to undertake through the programme.
Please note, if you are not subsequently eligible to undertake the apprenticeship, your application will not be considered; any offer of employment will be withdrawn, and your contract will be terminated.
We strive to ensure that DVLA is a great place to work where everybody can be their true self, be treated with dignity and respect, and according to their individual needs. We have a number of staff network groups run by staff to support their colleagues.
Working for the DVLA Digital Team
At the DVLA, licensing is just the start. Every project you implement, touch and deliver has a ripple effect that’ll wash across the entire nation. Here the work you’re doing has the capacity to change the way 50 million people interact with our services. As we aim to keep our roads some of the safest in the world, our innovative, transformative digital-led services help optimise an entire nation of individuals and business every single day. That’s huge. No two ways about it.
To see how our people are transforming our digital services, head over to our DVLA Digital Services Blog and, to understand more about the great opportunities and benefits of working at DVLA read our Inside DVLA blog.
Due to the evolving nature of the business, vacancies can become available at any time. Therefore, this campaign may create a reserve list to fulfil demand if it arises which will be held for a period of 9 months.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Digital, Data and Technology Framework (DDaT) - Data Modelling - Working
- Digital, Data and Technology Framework (DDaT) - Problem Resolution - Awareness
Benefits
Passionate, reliable and always willing to push yourself and those around you, you’ll continue to seek improvement in your own role and challenge us too. Because we pride ourselves on how we approach your development. From training courses to specialist skills workshops and opportunities to grow your expertise, we thrive when you thrive. We are firm believers that diverse organisations have the most diverse impact on society, we welcome and encourage applications from absolutely everyone. You can find out more about all of the above here alongside a full list of our benefits:
- Best in class learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues
- Generous employer contribution of at least 26.6%, depending on rate of salary and chosen pension scheme
- Digital communities with clear career frameworks
- On-site gym plus personal training available
- On-site nursery, restaurants and coffee bar
- 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays), increasing by 1 each year (up to 30) & 1 extra day for the King’s birthday
- Free parking
- Ability to buy and sell annual leave
Things you need to know
Selection process details
For this role you will need to submit a CV and personal statement of up to 1000 words. We need to understand how your skills and experience meet all the essential criteria for this role. You can use any part of your life to demonstrate your skills and experience, but it must be relevant to the role. You can refer to your work experience, education, hobbies, or interests.
You can decide the best way to structure your personal statement. You may choose to address each of the essential criteria on their own. Or you can give one example that covers all the essential criteria we are looking for. Click here for further guidance on submitting your CV and personal statement.
It is essential when submitting your personal statement that you provide as much detail as possible, within the word count, against the essential criteria outlined below as this will be used in conjunction with your CV to assess candidate suitability to move to the next round in the recruitment process.
For your CV and personal statement, please provide detailed evidence of your experience of the following essential criteria:
- Experience where you have learnt new skills, demonstrating motivation and enthusiasm (250 words).
- Experience of and exposure to IT, demonstrating your current skill level. Please include any learning/qualifications you have in IT (250 words).
- Experience of working with others and being part of a team (250 words).
- Experience demonstrating good organisational skills and prioritising your work (250 words).
The sift is due to take place on 2nd April 2024.
Interviews will be held week commencing 15th April 2024.
This interview will be conducted via a video interview, details of which will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
If invited to interview, this may consist of a range of question types. These could include questions around behaviours and how you would respond in any situation as well as specific examples of things you have done.
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:
- An interview and Data Management assessment
You will be assessed on technical skills in the DDaT framework which can be found here.
The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website.
Please take note that DVLA does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
If you are applying as an internal candidate, please see the additional notes below.
Additional Notes – If applying as an Internal DVLA Candidate.
Internal DVLA applicants are eligible to apply. Staff currently working in DVLA who are not able to secure a role following completion of the course of the programme would be redeployed back into the agency in line with the posts available at the time at their substantive grade. If there are no suitable posts available at that time then DVLA redeployment processes will apply. This would be underpinned by a loan agreement.
Additional Notes – Permanent Civil Servants applying for a fixed term appointment (FTA) in DVLA from another Government Department.
If your current department does not agree to a loan, you will still be offered an appointment on a fixed-term basis but please be aware that if you are not able to return to your previous post this could result in redundancy from the Civil Service on the conclusion of your appointment. Please contact us if you would like more information.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Document Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.
Further Information
For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.
Pre-employment Checking
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here
