Hear about James’ Senior Advisor role in Water Resources with the Environment Agency and explore his Data Analyst apprenticeship journey.
My name is James Barnes and I am a Senior Advisor in Water Resources.
I am passionate about using data to help the environment, and so I chose the Data Analyst apprenticeship to develop my skills and expertise in creating, using and analysing data. I spend 20% of my work time on my apprenticeship, and then use my learning in my day-to-day role, delivering outcomes. I am currently undergoing the level 4 Data Analyst apprenticeship, but it does progress to a level 6 apprenticeship, which would allow me to create and enhance my skills over time.
In my apprenticeship, I have been developing my understanding of the data analysis lifecycle, and the importance of data and legislation in managing, curating and analysing data. Learning has been delivered through workshops and training presentations from the apprenticeship provider.
I have already been able to use new principles from undergoing my apprenticeship to create products and analysis for the Environment Agency, putting my new skills into practice.
I have also been developing practical skills through my apprenticeship, such as coding, using spreadsheets and business intelligence softwares. These skills are taught in code-along and individual learning plans, which has allowed me to develop skills relevant to me and my work.
Due to the way my apprenticeship is structured, it requires 20% of my work time to be recorded against the apprenticeship. In my role, much of my work can be easily factored into the scope of my apprenticeship. This means that it has worked really well for me, directly links in with my work and it allows me to quickly develop new skills and outputs for the Environment Agency. My line manager has been thoroughly supportive of my apprenticeship and very appreciative of the increased skillset which I have developed.
I really enjoy my apprenticeship, learning about new techniques, software and skills is invaluable. My apprenticeship has allowed me the space and time to develop skills in a supportive environment, where I can learn from the apprenticeship provider and my peers. It has been interesting to learn about how different skills can be applied in the environmental sector, as well as how they can be used in the financial and transportation sectors.
My role in Water Resources requires innovative thinking and horizon scanning, and my apprenticeship has helped me in achieving this. I have been able to point the organisation in the right direction for data strategy using the learning I have gained from my apprenticeship.
My apprenticeship helps me to develop new services in Water Resources in how we manage water abstraction and report on data. Developing new tools and better ways of working will help improve our efficiency, and I am glad of the opportunity to be able to undertake an apprenticeship which has helped me contribute to this. In the future, I would like to continue my development in digital services, working for the Environment Agency and delivering for the environment, economy and society.
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