Level 3 Data Technician apprentice Wesley Parker-Wilson, of Islington Council, tells us how his work experience, alongside his training, is 'invaluable'

1. Wesley Parker-Wilson – Level 3 Data Technician apprentice at Islington Council
See how:
• Wesley works to ensure the data collected by Islington Council
can be used to provide high-performing efficient services to
Islington residents
• Wesley analyses data from local schools to create reports for
those working in Social Care and Youth Offending services
• He hopes to begin applying his newfound Power BI knowledge to
his role at work
Wesley offers advice for prospective apprentices.
“I have really enjoyed the challenge of learning in a brand new field.”

2. “I am a Data Technician Apprentice with Islington Council,
working primarily with Islington Schools’ data, but I also use a
variety of Social Care and Youth Offending Services data.
The aim of my role is to assist the Data and Performance
Team to ensure the data we receive and collect can be best
used to provide high performing and efficient services to
Islington residents, and hopefully improve the lives of people
of living in the area.”

3. “I typically split my time between working on a larger ongoing project,
and other reoccurring weekly or monthly tasks. For example, since
joining Islington Council my main project has been analysing the
performance of schools in the area through the types of activities and
destinations (higher education, apprenticeships, internships,
employment etc) of those leaving school and college in Year 11-13, as
well as how other factors such as poverty in the area can effect student
attainment and school performance. My other regular responsibilities
include tasks such as data matching and checking to keep various
databases accurate and up to date, and creating regular reports to
assist those involved in social care and youth offending with providing
services to those in need.”

4. “I find it really satisfying working within a team that
provides services for local residents in the area in which I
live, and knowing that the work we do has a real world
impact motivates me to work hard.
This apprenticeship has meant a drastic change in work
sector for me, with no prior experience working with data,
and I have really enjoyed the challenge of learning in a
brand new field. Each week we have new training tasks to
complete, and there are 9 units covered within the course,
each covering a different aspect of theory, data, databases
and software.”

5. “We have completed the first unit, which gave a great introduction
to data for someone totally new to the field, which has helped me
understand how Islington Council uses and manages data. We are
currently completing our first module on Power BI, which I hope to
begin using soon to bring a data visualisation element to one of my
monthly tasks.
Whilst I am still very new to my role, I have already picked up more
responsibilities as time has gone on. I now create more regular
reports for a few different teams and services, using more sources
of data. Another responsibility planned for me is to assist with
Freedom of Information Act requests, which will be an exciting
challenge as I will be exposed to new data I do not use in my day to
day responsibilities, as well as the rules and regulations around the
FOIA.”

6. “To someone considering an apprenticeship, I would say: Do it! I think
apprenticeships are undervalued at the moment, with so much focus put
on young people going on to university, but if you know which field you
want to go into, then the work experience gained alongside training and
independent study is invaluable, and many apprenticeships lead into a full-
time job when the qualification is achieved. And it’s great earning whilst
you learn with no student debt!
Also, apprenticeships are not just for those aged 16-25, as people often
think, and people of any age can join apprenticeships, which is great if you
are looking for a career change.”