Data & Finance Technician Apprentice

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Oldbury (B69 3DB)

Closes in 18 days (Monday 5 January 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 18 December 2025

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Summary

Passionate about problem‑solving, numbers, and technology? As a Level 3 Data & Finance Technician Apprentice at Sandwell Council, you’ll gain hands‑on experience while supporting the SEN Team’s Data & Finance Officers with vital data and finance tasks.

Wage

£14,526.20 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Data technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday - between the hours of 8.00am - 5.00pm

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 2 March 2026

Duration

2 years 3 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Your main jobs and duties will include:

  • Provide confidential, secure, and efficient support to the Data and Finance Officers in the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Team
  • Assist with IT systems including emails, spreadsheets, databases, and Microsoft applications to produce reports and maintain records
  • Collect, collate, and manage data and financial information as directed
  • Maintain accurate electronic filing systems and log information on the Synergy system
  • Carry out data entry and financial entries under supervision
  • Provide technical support and assistance where appropriate
  • Understand and apply the Council’s financial policies
  • Maintain accurate financial records, spreadsheets, and budget reports
  • Prioritise workload effectively to meet deadlines and ensure work meets council standards, regulations, and legislation
  • Uphold confidentiality at all times in line with the Council’s Code of Conduct and GDPR
  • Promote equality, inclusivity, and sensitivity to the needs of disadvantaged groups, acting as a role model in line with the Equalities Act 2010
  • Undertake other duties as required to support the objectives of the Thematic Area, appropriate to grade and ability
  • Carry out responsibilities with due regard to the Council’s Health and Safety policies

Where you'll work

Freeth Street
Oldbury
B69 3DB

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

QA LIMITED

Training course

Data technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Select and migrate data from already identified sources.
  • Format and save datasets.
  • Summarise, analyse and explain gathered data.
  • Combine data sets from multiple sources and present in format appropriate to the task.
  • Use tools and/or apply basic statistical methods to identify trends and patterns in data.
  • Identify faults and cleanse data to improve data quality, for example identifying gaps, duplicate entries, outliers and unusual variances, including cross-checking across data elements or between data sources.
  • Audit data results for maintenance of data quality, reviewing a data set once all sources are combined, to ensure accuracy, completeness, consistency and traceability from original data.
  • Demonstrate the different ways of communicating meaning from data in line with audience requirements.
  • Produce clear and consistent documentation of the data provided to others and of actions completed. Where appropriate or mandated by the working context, this documentation should use standard organisational templates.
  • Store, manage and distribute data in compliance with organisational, national, sector specific standards and or legislation.
  • Considers sustainability and ways to reduce impact. For example, using cloud storage, sharing links to files, avoid storing multiple versions of files, and reducing the use of physical handouts of documentation.
  • Parse data against standard formats, and test and assess confidence in the data and its integrity.
  • Operate collaboratively in a working context that accounts for, and takes advantage of, the roles, skills and activities of others, especially those interacting with the same data sets or working towards a common goal.
  • Prioritise own activities within the context of the duties to be performed, taking account of any known or expected impact on others.
  • Follows equity, diversity and inclusion policies in the organisation for a common goal.
  • Demonstrate the ability to use different tools and methods to formulate and utilise effective prompts to research, apply, and evaluate data transformation techniques.
  • Select and migrate data from already identified sources.
  • Format and save datasets.
  • Summarise, analyse and explain gathered data.
  • Combine data sets from multiple sources and present in format appropriate to the task.
  • Use tools and/or apply basic statistical methods to identify trends and patterns in data.
  • Identify faults and cleanse data to improve data quality, for example identifying gaps, duplicate entries, outliers and unusual variances, including cross-checking across data elements or between data sources.
  • Audit data results for maintenance of data quality, reviewing a data set once all sources are combined, to ensure accuracy, completeness, consistency and traceability from original data.
  • Demonstrate the different ways of communicating meaning from data in line with audience requirements.
  • Produce clear and consistent documentation of the data provided to others and of actions completed. Where appropriate or mandated by the working context, this documentation should use standard organisational templates.
  • Store, manage and distribute data in compliance with organisational, national, sector specific standards and or legislation.
  • Considers sustainability and ways to reduce impact. For example, using cloud storage, sharing links to files, avoid storing multiple versions of files, and reducing the use of physical handouts of documentation.
  • Parse data against standard formats, and test and assess confidence in the data and its integrity.
  • Operate collaboratively in a working context that accounts for, and takes advantage of, the roles, skills and activities of others, especially those interacting with the same data sets or working towards a common goal.
  • Prioritise own activities within the context of the duties to be performed, taking account of any known or expected impact on others.
  • Follows equity, diversity and inclusion policies in the organisation for a common goal.
  • Demonstrate the ability to use different tools and methods to formulate and utilise effective prompts to research, apply, and evaluate data transformation techniques.

Training schedule

At the end you will gain a Level 3 Data Technician apprenticeship qualification. This will include any Functional Skills as appropriate. 

The apprenticeship will also include a proportion of 20% Off The Job Training and a robust programme of Mandatory Apprentice Training provided by Sandwell Council to include:

  • Fire Awareness
  • Prevent
  • Safeguarding
  • Data Protection
  • Cyber Security and Equality & Diversity

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English Language (grade A-C/9-4 /L2 equivalent)
  • Maths (grade A-C/9-4 /L2 equivalent)
  • one other subject outside of English Lang. & Maths (grade A-C/9-4 /L2 equivalent)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

IT (grade A-C/9-4 /L2 equivalent)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Willingness to learn
  • Reliable and trustworthy
  • Self-motivated
  • Positive and enthusiastic
  • Able to follow instructions
  • Maintain confidentiality

Other requirements

  • Working at a computer all day, answering high volumes of calls, expected to work in a professional manner representing the company at all times and required to multi-task
  • You must be willing and able to attend training and undertake learning as required

About this employer

Sandwell is a large, multicultural metropolitan borough situated in the heart of the Black Country, to the west of Birmingham, within the West Midlands conurbation and with a population of over 280,000. The Council is one of the largest employers in the Borough with employees in a variety of occupations, providing a comprehensive range of services. For more information about Sandwell Council’s apprenticeship programme and our recruitment process please visit our YouTube channel. Find out more information on Sandwell’s Values and Behaviours on the council’s webpage. For more information on careers in local government you can view a copy of the Local Government Career Guide.

http://www.sandwell.gov.uk (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

  • The post is offered on a fixed-term contract to cover the duration of the apprenticeship training
  • You will receive support and guidance to identify and apply for any further apprenticeships or internal jobs that you are suitably experienced and qualified for

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

QA LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000005646.

Apply now

Closes in 18 days (Monday 5 January 2026 at 11:59pm)