Skilled data analysts are currently in high demand because companies need experts to help them make data-driven decisions. Data analyst jobs like market research analysts and operations research analysts are expected to grow by 19 and 23 percent, respectively, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A data analyst apprenticeship can help you jumpstart a career in this field.
Data analyst apprentices get mentorship from industry experts and on-the-job training, and most programs are paid internships. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about data analytics apprenticeships, including available data analyst apprenticeship programs, future job prospects, and average apprentice pay.
What Is a Data Analyst Apprenticeship?
A data analytics apprenticeship is a company-specific work training program that teaches you the relevant experience and skills needed to become part of that company’s future workforce. Most data analyst apprentices have a good chance of being hired for full-time employment after the program ends.
To apply for a data analyst apprenticeship, you need to have basic knowledge of data, data structures, and different data analysis approaches. Apprentices will develop the practical application of this knowledge under the guidance of a mentor.
Which Companies Offer Data Analytics Apprenticeship Jobs?
The best data analyst apprenticeships are the ones offered by big tech companies. These are paid programs that give you a chance to study, undergo training, and earn money at the same time. Below we’ve listed a few entry-level data analytics apprenticeship jobs provided by some of the best employers in the industry.
Google Apprenticeship Program
Google has a work-and-study program in the US to train people with some education and limited work experience. You will need to have good English communication skills and a solid academic performance related to the apprenticeship program. Vacancies for Google data analyst apprenticeships open at different times of the year, so check the website frequently.
Microsoft Apprenticeship Program
The Microsoft Leap Apprenticeship Program has a data analyst apprenticeship pathway with different locations. To apply for the Microsoft data analyst apprenticeship program you need a college degree in a related subject. After you submit an application with a personal essay, you’ll be invited to attend an internship interview before being accepted to the program.
Amazon Apprenticeship Program
Amazon is a multinational ecommerce company that offers a learn-as-you-earn apprenticeship program. Currently, they are looking for a high school data analyst apprentice to join their New York team. They will train the apprentice to gather and analyze data using SQL over the course of the three-year, part-time program.
IBM Apprenticeship Program
International Business Machines (IBM) is a world-renowned technology company with a history as a pioneer in technological innovation. IBM’s data analyst apprenticeship includes a program called New Collar that allows apprentices to acquire new skills even if they don’t have a bachelor’s degree.
Lockheed Martin Apprenticeship
Lockheed Martin is a global aerospace security and weapons manufacturing company that offers apprenticeship opportunities ranging from aircraft maintenance to engineering. Under the apprenticeship program, you get a chance to undergo hands-on training by industry experts. There are different apprenticeship programs for people with different levels of education and work experience.
What Does a Data Analyst Apprentice Do?
A data analyst apprentice’s responsibilities are to learn what a professional data analyst does and how to perform these tasks. The duties of a data analyst include gathering and inspecting a company’s data and extracting essential information to support various decision-making processes.
As a data analyst apprentice, you get to learn through hands-on projects and mentoring. You’ll learn the skills needed to analyze data sets, use data systems securely, apply statistical methodologies, and visualize data.
Data Analytics Apprenticeship Salary
The average data analytics apprentice earns $71,105 per year, according to ZipRecruiter. Less than 10 percent of these apprentices earn $32,500 or less and the top 25 percent earn more than $91,000 annually.
Your data analyst apprenticeship salary will largely depend on the employer, the workload, and your experience. Apprentices are entitled to a salary of at least minimum wage and can get employee benefits like sick leave and healthcare.
Data Analyst Apprenticeship Requirements
The requirements for a data analyst apprenticeship will depend on the employer. In general, candidates should have strong analytical skills, enjoy math, and have basic knowledge of data analytics software. Companies looking to hire data analyst apprentices usually want someone currently enrolled in or pursuing undergraduate studies, or who has relevant experience working with data.
To be hired as a data analyst apprentice, you should be familiar with some of the most used analytics tools, including Python, Excel, SAS, MySQL, and Tableau. You should have strong attention to detail, be good at data visualization, and be a critical thinker.
Careers in Data Analytics You Can Pursue After an Apprenticeship
You can build a career in data analytics in a wide range of specialties because almost every industry generates data that can be analyzed. Data analysts can work in agriculture, medicine, commerce, and climate research. We’ve listed some of the most common careers in data analytics below.
Business Analyst
A business analyst researches and analyzes data related to business operations, products, and services. They present business trends to company leaders and suggest data-driven solutions to improve business operations and finance. This is a great career in data analytics for someone with a business degree who is looking to switch to a data career later in life.
Data Scientist
A data scientist applies scientific methods to resolve business-related problems. They work with large amounts of data using advanced analytics tools to analyze trends, data sets, and patterns. Data scientists are among the highest-paid in this field. They typically have more advanced statistics training than professionals in other careers in data analytics.
Computer Systems Analyst
A computer systems analyst conducts diagnostics tests to ensure that whole computer systems are working smoothly. They look at the data from these tests to determine system problems. This type of data analyst also suggests software updates and evaluates new technologies that might meet the company’s needs, so it’s a good data analytics career for anyone who loves to learn about the latest tech news.
Quantitative Analyst
A quantitative analyst uses information derived from data analytics to see financial trends and spot financial investment opportunities. They use math and statistics to see these trends and calculate the risks. Quantitative analysts are in demand in the field of stock trading, banking, and insurance.
Market Research Analyst
This data analytics career focuses on consumer behavior. Market research analysts review advertising and sales data to see if companies are finding their target audience or to identify a new target audience. They also research competitor performance and analyze the larger market to look for new sales opportunities.
How to Get a Data Analytics Apprenticeship
To get a data analytics apprenticeship, you’ll need to be able to demonstrate that you meet the requirements of the program and are highly motivated to learn. The apprenticeship application process can be competitive, and, if you don’t meet the requirements, your chances of getting hired can be very slim.
Most data analytics apprenticeships require some formal education, either through a university degree or a bootcamp. These programs will give you a solid foundation in statistics and computer programming so that when you do land an internship, you can focus on learning the practical business applications of these skills.
Bootcamps
Coding bootcamps are intensive learning programs that teach students data analysis skills through a mix of lectures and hands-on projects packed into three to six months of training. At a data analyst bootcamp, you will become job-ready by mastering industry-relevant tools such as Python, Numpy, Pandas, and advanced Excel.
The best data analyst bootcamps include career prep and job interview assistance that gives you a competitive edge in applying for apprenticeships. Learning your skills through a bootcamp program is an excellent way to meet the requirements for an apprenticeship job.
Internships
There are a lot of tech companies that offer data analyst internship programs for college students. Internships are shorter, less intensive, and less competitive than apprenticeships. You’ll still learn about data analytics in an on-the-job setting, but you’ll have fewer responsibilities and do lower-level work. Most internship programs are part-time and can be paid or unpaid.
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Getting into an internship program with a well-known company is a great way to boost your resume and prepare for a data analyst apprenticeship. You can even apply for an apprenticeship at the same company after you graduate from college.
Trade Schools
A trade school, also known as a technical school, focuses on honing practical work skills with fewer academic lectures. Colleges and universities offer data analytics programs that only take a few months to two years to complete.
Vocational Training
Like trade schools, some vocational institutes offer data analyst courses and certificates. Vocational schools focus on teaching practical skills. You can become a data analyst with or without a degree by enhancing your skills through vocational training. However, if you want to become a data scientist, you’ll probably need to complete a bachelor’s degree.
Is a Data Analytics Apprenticeship Worth It?
A data analyst apprenticeship will help you learn advanced data analytics skills through mentorship and work-based learning. Most data analytics apprenticeships are paid learning experiences. Even better, data analyst apprentices have a high chance of getting hired by the company they intern at.
A data analyst apprenticeship is a worthwhile step to starting a career as a data analyst. However, apprenticeship programs can be hard to get into, and they aren’t the only way to start your career. Data analytics bootcamps are another way to gain intensive training, hands-on experience, and mentorship.
Data Analytics Apprenticeship FAQ
Most people think that data analytics is hard to learn. Analytics requires a love of data and statistics, and data analysts need to have skills in programming, mathematics, finance, and business. It is hard to be a data analyst if you don’t like detail-oriented, computer-based projects.
How do you know if an apprenticeship is legit?
There are apprenticeship schemes that hire “apprentices” for cheaper labor. All apprenticeship programs should have an Apprenticeship Agreement with details like the number of hours required per week, salary, and scope of learning. Data analyst apprenticeships should pay at least minimum wage with a mix of hands-on training and mentorship.
Do you get paid as an apprentice?
Much like an employee, an apprentice should receive at least minimum wage in the state they work in. Data analytics apprenticeships usually pay more than minimum wage because of the education requirements needed to enroll in the program. Apprentices also enjoy some of the same benefits as employees such as sick leave and health insurance.
How many hours does an apprentice work?
A data analyst apprentice usually works full-time for 35 to 40 hours a week. Lectures, mentor meetings, and other training activities count as working hours. Some apprenticeships are available on a part-time contract, with 16-20 hours of work and learning per week.
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