The Power of Data Apprenticeships for Public Sectors
Company-Wide Data Upskilling at Birmingham City Council
Back in August 2022, Birmingham City Council partnered with us to upskill over 20 employees with sought-after data skills through Level 3 and Level 4 apprenticeships. This initiative aimed to build a more data-literate workforce, enabling employees to harness data effectively for improved decision-making and service efficiency.
Birmingham City Council has successfully integrated data apprenticeships into its workforce, utilising the training programmes to enhance service delivery, drive efficiencies, and support long-term strategic goals. We caught up with the team at Birmingham City Council to discuss the impact of this data upskilling project so far…
The Challenge: Bridging the Data Skills Gap
Like many large organisations, Birmingham City Council faced a significant challenge: a growing need for digital and data expertise within its workforce. As technology continues to transform public services, the need for employees who can interpret, manage, and utilise data effectively has become increasingly urgent.
“We’ve done a lot of work to identify and understand where our key critical areas are and where we need to improve the abilities of our current cohort of staff. One of those is within our digital technology service areas.”
— Faye Higgins, Early Careers Lead
With industries shifting toward data-driven decision-making, Birmingham City Council recognised that closing the skills gap was essential to delivering efficient, high-quality services.
The council identified digital technology as a key area for workforce development and sought a solution to upskill existing employees while maximising the use of its Apprenticeship Levy. Rather than relying solely on external hiring, the council saw an opportunity to invest in its existing workforce, ensuring employees had the tools and knowledge to adapt to an increasingly digital landscape.
The Solution: Implementing Data Apprenticeships
To address this challenge, the council partnered with us to upskill the team. The goal was to provide employees across a range of roles and departments with the technical knowledge and practical experience necessary to harness data for strategic decision-making.
“We have a significant number of apprenticeship providers on our books at the moment. Our experience with Baltic is probably one of the best that we’ve got. They’re super helpful, really intuitive, and they work with us to adjust things if needed.”
— Faye Higgins, Early Careers Lead
Baltic Apprenticeships was chosen through a rigorous procurement process, standing out due to our personalised approach, strong industry reputation, and ability to support both large employers and small businesses through Levy Transfers. The council viewed this partnership as an opportunity to maximise its apprenticeship funding while contributing to skills development in the wider Birmingham community.
The Impact: Improvements to Service Delivery & Decision-Making
One key success story comes from Birmingham Children’s Trust, where data apprentice Nathan has played a pivotal role in enhancing service efficiency. Originally hired in an administrative role, Nathan transitioned into a more data-focused role as the council began to prioritise data initiatives. Nathan began teaching himself data skills through self-study before enrolling on a professional development apprenticeship to gain a formal Data qualification.
“My interest in the apprenticeship was to solidify that knowledge and get a formal qualification. When you’re self-taught, you learn what you need to get the job done, but not necessarily everything that you could do with data.”
— Nathan Sysum, Data & Performance Manager
Now, Nathan specialises in data management within the Council’s Safeguarding Hub. Before his apprenticeship, a service review highlighted the need for better data management and analysis to inform decision-making. The apprenticeship has allowed Nathan to apply new skills in Power BI, SQL, and automation to improve data reporting for critical safeguarding decisions.
“Nathan’s role has transformed how the team understands and interprets data, allowing them to identify key trends and indicators to better support vulnerable children.”
— Clair Graham, Head of Service
His work has improved data accessibility by developing dashboards that provide real-time insights and has enhanced efficiency by streamlining data reporting processes, freeing up staff time for frontline work. His ability to link data insights with practical outcomes has allowed teams to operate more proactively, addressing gaps and risks before they escalate.
Maximising the Apprenticeship Levy
Birmingham City Council, like many large employers, had substantial unspent Apprenticeship Levy funds. Instead of allowing these funds to go unused, the council strategically invested in data apprenticeships to upskill existing staff and support small businesses through Levy Transfers.
“Like most large employers, we don’t utilise all of our Apprenticeship Levy. We do a lot of work around Levy transfer; we support a lot of SMEs with their digital technology needs, as well as looking at our own internal processes and our own internal staff.”
— Faye Higgins, Early Careers Lead
This approach ensured better utilisation of funding, preventing the return of unused Levy funds to the central government. Workforce upskilling in critical areas, particularly in digital and data roles, became a priority. The council also extended support for SMEs, helping local businesses access apprenticeship opportunities they might not otherwise afford. Through Levy Transfers, the council extended the benefits of apprenticeships beyond its own workforce, with a goal of strengthening Birmingham’s wider economy.
Why Invest in Data Apprenticeships?
The team at Birmingham City Council emphasised that data apprenticeships are not just about developing new talent but also about future-proofing businesses.
The council has seen significant benefits, including improved efficiency, as its data apprentices introduce automation and analytics tools that save time and improve accuracy.
Additionally, apprenticeships offer flexibility in workforce development. They cater to individuals at different career stages, from young professionals starting their careers to experienced employees looking to transition into data roles.
Advice for Employers Considering Data Apprenticeships
The team provided their golden advice for employers considering data apprenticeships…
“Definitely do it. It is a benefit to your company as well as it is to the individuals themselves.”
— Clair Graham, Head of Service
Though, they noted, that you must be strategic with your partnerships to ensure they align with your business goals and requirements. You must conduct thorough research, and choosing the right provider is essential, ensuring they have experience in delivering the necessary programmes.
“Do your research first to really understand what apprenticeships fit the areas that you’re going to service. Not every box is going to fit what you need. Look at the skills, knowledge, and behaviours that staff need and match that to the skills shortages you’ve got.”
— Faye Higgins, Early Careers Lead
The team also stressed the importance of organisational support for apprentices. Birmingham City Council ensures that their apprentices have the necessary time and resources to balance their learning with work responsibilities, and providing mentorship and structured support enhances apprenticeship success and long-term retention.
Final Thoughts
For employers looking to future-proof their business, data apprenticeships present an invaluable opportunity to develop internal talent while maximising available funding resources.
Birmingham City Council’s experience demonstrates the transformative impact of data upskilling on both organisational efficiency and workforce development.
By investing in Data apprenticeships, businesses and public sector organisations can build a skilled workforce, enhance decision-making processes, and drive innovation across departments.