WIREDGOV

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is welcoming its second group of apprentices, six months after opening its brand new multimillion-pound Data Science Campus (DSC). The new recruits are among the UK's first data science apprentices and will become part of the ongoing technological transformation of ONS. Substantial new investment is enabling the Newport-based organisation to overhaul the UK's key economic statistics, making data on topics including prices, jobs and trade faster and more detailed.

The seven new apprentices, aged between 18 and 23, mainly from the Gwent area, have arrived straight from completing their A-levels or university. The apprenticeships are two years in duration and will lead to an accredited level 4 diploma.

Newport resident Darnell Wilkinson was attracted by the opportunity to continue with structured learning in his hometown: “When I graduated from my degree in Economics at Cardiff University I knew I wanted to continue learning, but didn’t want to go back to university, so I looked at different training pathways within the Civil Service. That’s when I saw the Data Science Apprenticeship at the ONS – not only was it right on my doorstep, it was also a fantastic opportunity to really make a difference across the UK, by working with policymaking organisations such as the Cabinet Office and Welsh Government.”

ONS Head of Apprenticeships Alison Adams commented: “This is an exciting time for apprenticeships in general, but to be at the cutting edge of forging a new path for people to follow is really rewarding. And it’s not just Data Science, the ONS also offers a range of different apprenticeship types, from Business Administration to Leadership and Management. We have also recruited Data Analyst apprenticeships across business areas in the organisation.”

Since opening, the DSC has welcome key figures including Welsh First Minister Caryn Jones and media commentators, all of whom have been impressed by the Campus’s and its work. ONS recently signed partnership agreements with the Alan Turing Institute – the UK's official data science institute – international partners including Statistics Netherlands, as well as universities and commercial organisations. Exciting projects are currently underway with multiple government departments including ONS, Cabinet Office, Defra, Welsh Government and the Bank of England.

For photos please email media.relations@ons.gsi.gov.uk.

Media contacts:

Tel: Simon Jukes
Media Relations Office: +44 (0)845 6041858
Emergency on-call: +44 (0)7867 906553
E-mail: media.relations@ons.gsi.gov.uk