Teachers and lecturers
Data & AI careers: a guide for teachers and lecturers
Insights & Intelligence Engines
About this guide
This guide is for teachers and lecturers who advise students on careers in Data & AI.
It is built from the TechSkills Career Matrix and Career Planner. Every pay, hiring and funding figure shows its source and the date it was checked. Where our data has a gap, the guide says so.
- Areas of work covered
- 9
- Apprenticeship standards listed
- 9
- Produced by
- TechSkills, techskills.org
Data & AI at a glance
| No. | Area of work | What it covers | Example roles | Pay range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Data Foundations & Engineering | Before insights or AI can exist, data must be collected, cleaned, structured, and made accessible. | Data Engineer, Analytics Engineer, Database Specialist, Data Platform Engineer | £33,515 to £90,000+ |
| 02 | Analytics & Decision Intelligence | Extracting meaning from data to guide strategy, operations, and performance. | Data Analyst, Business Intelligence Developer, Decision Scientist, Analytics Lead | £30,000 to £82,250+ |
| 03 | Machine Learning & AI Development | Designing algorithms and models that automate prediction, classification, and optimisation. | Machine Learning Engineer, AI Engineer, Applied Scientist, NLP / Computer Vision Specialist | £44,875 to £117,000+ |
| 04 | Data Strategy, Governance & Ethics | Managing risk, compliance, privacy, and ethical considerations. | Data Governance Lead, Privacy Engineer, Responsible AI Specialist, Chief Data Officer | £40,000 to £150,000+ |
| 05 | AI Operations & Deployment | Ensuring AI systems remain reliable, secure, and effective after deployment. | MLOps Engineer, AI Platform Engineer, Model Operations Specialist, AI Reliability Engineer | £57,500 to £123,750+ |
| 06 | Frontier AI & Advanced Applications | Pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve. | Generative AI Specialist, Robotics AI Engineer, Autonomous Systems Developer, AI Research Engineer | £55,000 to £105,000+ |
| 07 | Applied Data Science & Experimentation | Using statistics and experimentation, A/B tests, causal inference, forecasting, to answer specific business questions with evidence. | Data Scientist, Experimentation Lead, Forecasting Analyst, Research Scientist | £36,000 to £95,000+ |
| 08 | Data & AI Product Management | Defining the roadmap for data platforms and AI features, balancing what's technically possible with what genuinely helps users. | AI Product Manager, Data Product Manager, ML Product Owner, Platform Product Manager | £47,624 to £102,735+ |
| 09 | Asset Integrity & Inspection Engineering | Uses ultrasonic, radiographic and thermographic imaging to inspect materials, welds and components for hidden flaws, generating and interpreting the data that proves whether safety-critical infrastructure and equipment can keep running. | NDT Engineer, Materials Engineer, Asset Integrity Engineer, Quality Assurance Engineer | £24,000 to £70,000+ |
Pay ranges come from job advert data. The source for each range is shown with the area of work in the next section.
The areas of work, one by one
01 Data Foundations & Engineering
- What it is
- Before insights or AI can exist, data must be collected, cleaned, structured, and made accessible.
- Example roles
- Data Engineer, Analytics Engineer, Database Specialist, Data Platform Engineer
- Skills used
- Data pipelines; ETL/ELT; Cloud data platforms; Data modelling; Reliability engineering
- Who it suits
- Engineers who enjoy solving complex systems and infrastructure challenges.
- Example of the work
- Enables organisations to trust, access, and scale their data assets.
- What shows someone can do it
- Ability to deliver production-grade data systems that support analytics and AI at scale.
- Sectors that hire
- Financial Services, Retail & E-commerce, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Telecommunications, Government & Public Sector
- Pay
- £33,515 to £90,000+. Source: database administrator, ONS ASHE, to lead data engineer, IT Jobs Watch UK.
Apprenticeship route: Construction Technology & Geospatial Surveying
- What it is
- Before any dataset, 3D model or map exists, someone has to capture the real world accurately: laser-scanning a construction site, surveying land with GPS equipment, or flying a mapping drone. This is data engineering's on-site, hands-on entry point.
- Example roles
- Surveying Technician, Engineering Design Technician (BIM/CAD), Geospatial Survey Technician
- What suits this route
- Comfortable working outdoors on construction sites or in the field; Precise, methodical approach to measurement and data capture; Interested in how the physical and digital worlds connect, not just abstract data
- Pay
- £32,905 to £47,519. Source: median, surveying technician to chartered surveyor.
| Standard | Reference | Level | Typical length | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surveying Technician | ST0332 | Level 3 | 24 months | 29 July 2026 |
| Engineering Design Technician | ST0164 | Level 3 | 42 months | 30 July 2026 |
| Geospatial Survey Technician | ST0491 | Level 3 | 24 months | 29 July 2026 |
02 Analytics & Decision Intelligence
- What it is
- Extracting meaning from data to guide strategy, operations, and performance.
- Example roles
- Data Analyst, Business Intelligence Developer, Decision Scientist, Analytics Lead
- Skills used
- Data visualisation; Statistical analysis; Dashboard development; Business translation
- Who it suits
- Logicians who enjoy structure, organisation, and clear visual communication.
- Example of the work
- Supports evidence-based decision-making across organisations.
- What shows someone can do it
- Ability to communicate insights clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
- Sectors that hire
- Financial Services, Retail & E-commerce, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Professional & Consulting Services, Insurance
- Pay
- £30,000 to £82,250+. Source: data analyst 10th percentile to senior data analyst 90th percentile, IT Jobs Watch UK.
Apprenticeship route: Data Analyst, Apprenticeship Route
- What it is
- Work with a real employer's own data from day one, progressing from collecting and formatting data through to producing the insight and reports the business actually uses to make decisions.
- Example roles
- Data Technician, Junior Data Analyst, Data Analyst Apprentice
- What suits this route
- Comfortable learning on the job with structured mentoring rather than lecture based study; Wants to earn a wage and avoid student debt while training; Can meet real employer entry requirements, typically GCSEs or A levels rather than a completed degree
- Pay
- £20,500 to £41,000+. Source: Data Technician apprentice to fully qualified Data Analyst, Glassdoor/Payscale UK.
| Standard | Reference | Level | Typical length | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data Technician | ST0795 | Level 3 | 24 months | 10 August 2026 |
| Data Analyst | ST0118 | Level 4 | 24 months | 10 August 2026 |
03 Machine Learning & AI Development
- What it is
- Designing algorithms and models that automate prediction, classification, and optimisation.
- Example roles
- Machine Learning Engineer, AI Engineer, Applied Scientist, NLP / Computer Vision Specialist
- Skills used
- Model development; Training pipelines; Evaluation; Deployment; Responsible AI practices
- Who it suits
- Mathematical thinkers who love experimentation, research, and coding.
- Example of the work
- Powers automation, personalisation, and intelligent services.
- What shows someone can do it
- Ability to move models from experimentation into real world production environments.
- Sectors that hire
- Technology & Software, Financial Services, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Retail & E-commerce, Automotive
- Pay
- £44,875 to £117,000+. Source: NLP specialist 10th percentile to AI engineer 90th percentile, IT Jobs Watch UK.
Apprenticeship route: Machine Learning Engineer, Apprenticeship Route
- What it is
- Gather data, build, deploy and validate real machine learning and AI solutions for a real employer, earning a wage throughout rather than self-funding a postgraduate degree.
- Example roles
- Machine Learning Engineer Apprentice, ML Operations Engineer, AI Data Specialist
- What suits this route
- Comfortable learning on the job with structured mentoring rather than lecture based study; Wants to earn a wage and avoid student debt while training; Can meet real employer entry requirements, typically A levels or a relevant Level 4/5 qualification rather than a completed degree
- Pay
- £28,000 to £65,000+. Source: ML Engineer apprentice to newly-qualified ML Engineer, Glassdoor/Payscale UK.
| Standard | Reference | Level | Typical length | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machine Learning Engineer | ST1398 | Level 6 | 24 months | 10 August 2026 |
04 Data Strategy, Governance & Ethics
- What it is
- Managing risk, compliance, privacy, and ethical considerations.
- Example roles
- Data Governance Lead, Privacy Engineer, Responsible AI Specialist, Chief Data Officer
- Skills used
- Data protection; Regulatory compliance; Ethical frameworks; Risk management
- Who it suits
- Detail-oriented thinkers interested in law, ethics, and social impact.
- Example of the work
- Builds trust, compliance, and long term sustainability.
- What shows someone can do it
- Balancing innovation with accountability and public trust.
- Sectors that hire
- Financial Services, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Government & Public Sector, Legal Services, Insurance
- Pay
- £40,000 to £150,000+. Source: data protection officer, IT Jobs Watch UK, to chief data officer, Payscale UK.
05 AI Operations & Deployment
- What it is
- Ensuring AI systems remain reliable, secure, and effective after deployment.
- Example roles
- MLOps Engineer, AI Platform Engineer, Model Operations Specialist, AI Reliability Engineer
- Skills used
- Model monitoring; Automation; Infrastructure; Lifecycle management; Performance tuning
- Who it suits
- System builders who enjoy the bridge between software engineering and AI.
- Example of the work
- Transforms prototypes into dependable production systems.
- What shows someone can do it
- Operational ownership of AI systems in real world conditions.
- Sectors that hire
- Technology & Software, Financial Services, Retail & E-commerce, Telecommunications, Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Pay
- £57,500 to £123,750+. Source: MLOps engineer, junior to senior, IT Jobs Watch UK, closest real data for AI platform/model ops/reliability roles.
06 Frontier AI & Advanced Applications
- What it is
- Pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve.
- Example roles
- Generative AI Specialist, Robotics AI Engineer, Autonomous Systems Developer, AI Research Engineer
- Skills used
- Large language models; Reinforcement learning; Human-AI interaction; Advanced simulation
- Who it suits
- Early adopters who thrive in rapidly changing, experimental environments.
- Example of the work
- Positions the UK at the forefront of global innovation.
- What shows someone can do it
- Ability to translate research into practical applications.
- Sectors that hire
- Technology & Software, Automotive, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Media & Entertainment, Aerospace & Defence
- Pay
- £55,000 to £105,000+. Source: robotics engineer to generative AI software engineer, IT Jobs Watch UK.
07 Applied Data Science & Experimentation
- What it is
- Using statistics and experimentation, A/B tests, causal inference, forecasting, to answer specific business questions with evidence.
- Example roles
- Data Scientist, Experimentation Lead, Forecasting Analyst, Research Scientist
- Skills used
- Experimental design; Causal inference; Statistical modelling; Forecasting; Hypothesis testing
- Who it suits
- Curious investigators who want proof, not just intuition.
- Example of the work
- Turns uncertainty into confident, evidence-backed decisions.
- What shows someone can do it
- Scientific rigour combined with the ability to communicate uncertainty clearly.
- Sectors that hire
- Financial Services, Retail & E-commerce, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Insurance, Technology & Software
- Pay
- £36,000 to £95,000+. Source: junior data scientist to senior data scientist, IT Jobs Watch UK.
08 Data & AI Product Management
- What it is
- Defining the roadmap for data platforms and AI features, balancing what's technically possible with what genuinely helps users.
- Example roles
- AI Product Manager, Data Product Manager, ML Product Owner, Platform Product Manager
- Skills used
- Product strategy; Stakeholder management; Data literacy; Roadmapping; User research
- Who it suits
- Bridge-builders who enjoy scoping ambiguous problems into shippable plans.
- Example of the work
- Ensures data and AI investment translates into features that create real value.
- What shows someone can do it
- Ability to translate between data scientists, engineers, and business stakeholders.
- Sectors that hire
- Technology & Software, Financial Services, Retail & E-commerce, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Media & Entertainment
- Pay
- £47,624 to £102,735+. Source: AI product manager, 25th to 90th percentile, Glassdoor UK.
09 Asset Integrity & Inspection Engineering
- What it is
- Uses ultrasonic, radiographic and thermographic imaging to inspect materials, welds and components for hidden flaws, generating and interpreting the data that proves whether safety-critical infrastructure and equipment can keep running.
- Example roles
- NDT Engineer, Materials Engineer, Asset Integrity Engineer, Quality Assurance Engineer
- Skills used
- Ultrasonic, radiographic and thermographic inspection; Fault and defect analysis; Inspection reporting and certification; Safety-critical asset assessment; Quality assurance and re-inspection audit
- Who it suits
- Methodical, detail-focused people who'd rather prove something is safe with real evidence than take someone's word for it.
- Example of the work
- Prevents catastrophic failure of safety-critical infrastructure and equipment across nuclear, aerospace, rail, oil & gas, marine and construction.
- What shows someone can do it
- Ability to find and correctly report a hidden structural flaw before it causes a safety-critical failure.
- Sectors that hire
- Manufacturing & Engineering, Aerospace & Defence, Energy & Utilities, Construction & Civil Engineering, Marine & Maritime
- Pay
- £24,000 to £70,000+. Source: technician to senior NDT/asset integrity engineer, Glassdoor/Indeed UK benchmarks.
Apprenticeship route: Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
- What it is
- Inspect materials, welds and components on site or in a test facility using ultrasonic, radiographic and other non-destructive methods, working towards industry-recognised NDT certification rather than starting with a standalone degree.
- Example roles
- NDT Operator Apprentice, NDT Engineering Technician, Inspection Engineer
- What suits this route
- Comfortable working on site, in a workshop, or around industrial test equipment; Patient, methodical approach to detailed inspection work; Interested in materials and structures, not just the finished design
- Pay
- £22,000 to £45,000+. Source: Level 2 operator apprentice to Level 3 engineering technician, Glassdoor/Indeed UK benchmarks.
| Standard | Reference | Level | Typical length | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-destructive Testing (NDT) Operator | ST0358 | Level 2 | 18 months | 31 July 2026 |
| Non-destructive Testing Engineering Technician | ST0288 | Level 3 | 36 months | 31 July 2026 |
| Non-destructive Testing Engineer (integrated degree) | ST0369 | Level 6 | 48 months | 31 July 2026 |
Routes into the field
| Route | What it is | Cost and pay |
|---|---|---|
| Apprenticeships | Earn while they train through structured learning that combines workplace experience with recognised development. | their employer (or the government, via the apprenticeship levy and co-investment) pays for all their training and assessment costs directly to the provider, they are never billed for tuition, and they don't take out a loan for it. Apprentices are paid at least the apprentice minimum wage of £8.00 an hour. |
| Degrees | Build strong technical foundations through longer-form study with opportunities to specialise and progress academically. | Covers their tuition fees in full, paid directly to their university or college, not means-tested, so every eligible student can borrow the same amount regardless of household income. Repayments under Plan 5 are 9% of income above £25,000 a year, and the loan is written off after 40 years. |
| Bootcamps & Intensive Training | We don't currently have any Tech Industry Gold accredited bootcamp providers - accelerate their move into tech via the government's own Skills Bootcamps programme instead: free, flexible courses up to 16 weeks, built around employability. | Free to the learner. Up to 16 weeks. Available across England. |
| Flexible Learning (Apprenticeship Units) | Build relevant tech skills through shorter, flexible learning without committing to a full programme from the start. | Shorter, flexible training. Focused, in-demand skills. Aligned to employer needs. Can build toward larger qualifications. |
- Apprenticeships: Explore Apprenticeships
- Degrees: Find Degrees
- Bootcamps & Intensive Training: Find a Skills Bootcamp (gov.uk)
- Flexible Learning (Apprenticeship Units): Explore Flexible Learning
- Who pays for an apprenticeship
- Employers with an annual pay bill over £3 million pay into the apprenticeship levy, topped up by government, to fund training. Smaller employers get most of the cost covered through government co-investment, and from the 2026/27 funding year, training for under-25s at these smaller, non-levy-paying employers is fully funded.
- Apprentice minimum wage
- £8.00 an hour: the National Minimum Wage apprentice rate, which applies if they're under 19, or 19+ and in the first year of their apprenticeship (from 1 April 2026). Once they're 19+ and past their first year, they move to the normal age-based National Minimum Wage (up to £12.71/hour for ages 21+ from April 2026), many employers pay well above the legal minimum.
Funding sources: gov.uk: Apprenticeship funding rules and assessment plan guidance, 2026 to 2027 (checked 20 July 2026); gov.uk: Student finance for undergraduates, gov.uk: Repaying your student loan; gov.uk: How interest is calculated, Plan 5 (checked 20 July 2026). Rates change each year, so confirm current figures on gov.uk before quoting them.
Apprenticeship standards in this career family
| Reference | Standard | Level | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| ST0358 | Non-destructive Testing (NDT) Operator | Level 2 | 18 months |
| ST0164 | Engineering Design Technician | Level 3 | 42 months |
| ST0288 | Non-destructive Testing Engineering Technician | Level 3 | 36 months |
| ST0332 | Surveying Technician | Level 3 | 24 months |
| ST0491 | Geospatial Survey Technician | Level 3 | 24 months |
| ST0795 | Data Technician | Level 3 | 24 months |
| ST0118 | Data Analyst | Level 4 | 24 months |
| ST0369 | Non-destructive Testing Engineer (integrated degree) | Level 6 | 48 months |
| ST1398 | Machine Learning Engineer | Level 6 | 24 months |
- ST0358 Non-destructive Testing (NDT) OperatorInspects materials, welds and components using non-destructive testing methods (e.g. ultrasonic, radiographic) under supervision. Requires industry-recognised NDT Level 2 certification in one method.
- ST0164 Engineering Design TechnicianIts own typical job titles explicitly list "Building information modelling (BIM) technician" and "CAD technician", the genuine standard behind both roles, sitting in the engineering rather than construction route.
- ST0288 Non-destructive Testing Engineering TechnicianSupervises NDT Operators and validates their work through re-inspection audits across aerospace, motorsport, power generation, rail, oil & gas, marine and construction. Live version 1.1 (v1.0 retired March 2025).
- ST0332 Surveying TechnicianCovers 7 pathways including Building, Land, and Quantity Surveying Technician. Leads to a Level 3 Diploma in Surveying and RICS Associate membership. Its own typical job titles explicitly include "Land Surveying Technician".
- ST0491 Geospatial Survey TechnicianCollects geospatial data for maps, GNSS/GPS and infrastructure using GIS. Explicitly lists utilities companies among typical employers, and is the closest current standard for GIS Technician and Utility Survey Technician roles.
- ST0795 Data TechnicianThe entry-level route into data work: source, format and present data securely for analysis, and communicate outcomes to the relevant audience.
- ST0118 Data AnalystThe core UK apprenticeship standard for data analysis: collect, organise and study data to provide business insight and support evidence-based decision-making.
- ST0369 Non-destructive Testing Engineer (integrated degree)Oversees NDT operations and staff, inspecting safety-critical components for faults such as corrosion and cracking. Typical job titles include Specialist Inspector, NDT Expert and Quality Engineer.
- ST1398 Machine Learning EngineerThe current UK apprenticeship standard for ML engineering: gather data from different sources to design, build, deploy and validate machine learning and/or AI solutions. Progresses toward AI Data Specialist roles.
Pay and hiring
| Level | Median pay | 25th to 75th percentile | Salaries in sample | Source | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | £32,500 | £30,000 to £37,000 | 11 | IT Jobs Watch: Junior Data Analyst (UK) | 6 months to 11 Jul 2026 |
| Mid-level | £45,000 | £35,000 to £60,000 | Not given | IT Jobs Watch: Data Analyst (UK) | 6 months to 11 Jul 2026 |
| Senior | £60,000 | £50,000 to £76,250 | 62 | IT Jobs Watch: Senior Data Analyst (UK) | 6 months to 11 Jul 2026 |
A small sample makes a figure indicative only. The hiring note below says where that applies.
- Hiring
- Demand for data analysts continues to grow, with UK data-role postings up 7.7% year-on-year, organisations across finance, retail, healthcare and government are all hiring. The junior-level figures above are based on a small sample (11 salaries), so treat that specific band as indicative rather than precise.
- Remote working
- 49.5% of UK data-role job postings were listed as hybrid or flexible; fully remote positions commanded the highest average salary of the three arrangements (Jan-Apr 2026 data).
- Fastest growing skill
- AI-related keywords now appear in over half of UK Data Analyst postings (53.80%), alongside continued strong demand for Power BI and cloud platforms like Azure, a shift from purely descriptive reporting toward AI-assisted analytics.
Skills and certifications
Skills employers ask for
| Skill | Importance | Demand | Time to learn | Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SQL (Structured Query Language) | Critical | Very High, in 70% of postings | 2-3 weeks | All routes |
| Power BI | Critical | Very High, in 63% of postings | 3-4 weeks | All routes |
| Python | High | High, in 63% of postings | 4-6 weeks | All routes |
| Microsoft Excel | High | High, in 61% of postings | 1-2 weeks | All routes |
| Tableau | Medium | High, in 57% of postings | 2-3 weeks | All routes |
| Business Intelligence & Data Storytelling | High | Very High, in 64% of postings | Ongoing, alongside tool-specific learning | All routes |
| Capture Accurate Site Survey Data (GPS, Laser Scanning, Drone Mapping) | Critical | High | On-the-job over the first 12 months of an apprenticeship | Apprenticeship |
| Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Methods (Ultrasonic, Radiographic, Visual) | Critical | High | Method-specific PCN Level 1/2 certification, typically several weeks of training plus supervised practice | Apprenticeship |
| Inspection Reporting & Certification | High | Medium | Built up alongside hands-on inspection practice over the apprenticeship | Apprenticeship |
- SQL (Structured Query Language): SQLKhan Academy
- SQL (Structured Query Language): PostgreSQL documentationPostgreSQL
- Power BI: Power BI learning pathMicrosoft Learn
- Python: Python documentationPython.org
- Python: Data Analysis with PythonfreeCodeCamp
- Microsoft Excel: Excel for data analysisMicrosoft Learn
- Tableau: Tableau free training videosTableau
- Business Intelligence & Data Storytelling: Foundations: Data, Data, EverywhereCoursera (Google, free-audit)
- Capture Accurate Site Survey Data (GPS, Laser Scanning, Drone Mapping): Working with GPS Data (QGIS User Guide)QGIS.org
- Capture Accurate Site Survey Data (GPS, Laser Scanning, Drone Mapping): Using QGIS as a survey toolEmlid
- Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Methods (Ultrasonic, Radiographic, Visual): Education & TrainingBINDT (British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing)
SQL (Structured Query Language): Share of UK Data Analyst job postings mentioning SQL. Power BI: Share of UK Data Analyst job postings mentioning Power BI. Python: Share of UK Data Analyst job postings mentioning Python. Microsoft Excel: Share of UK Data Analyst job postings mentioning Microsoft Excel. Tableau: Share of UK Data Analyst job postings mentioning Tableau. Business Intelligence & Data Storytelling: Share of UK Data Analyst job postings mentioning Business Intelligence broadly (tool-agnostic). Capture Accurate Site Survey Data (GPS, Laser Scanning, Drone Mapping): Named typical work on the SSC's live occupation page for 'Surveying technicians' (skillsclassification.org), and the occupational profile of the Surveying Technician (ST0332) and Geospatial Survey Technician (ST0491) apprenticeship standards. Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Methods (Ultrasonic, Radiographic, Visual): Core occupational purpose of the NDT Operator (ST0358) and NDT Engineering Technician (ST0288) standards; BINDT (the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing)'s Personnel Certification in NDT (PCN) scheme is the recognised industry qualification route for each method. Inspection Reporting & Certification: Named as a core Engineering Technician (ST0288) responsibility alongside hands-on inspection work.
Certifications
| Certification | Provider | Cost | Time | Level | Recognised | Best stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900) | Microsoft | $99 / approx. £80 (exam fee, correct at time of writing, check learn.microsoft.com for current pricing) | 2-4 weeks part-time (15-25 hours for someone new to data) | Beginner | Medium | Before you apply |
| Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate | Google (via Coursera) | Coursera subscription, approx. £35-45/month, typically completed in 3-6 months | 3-6 months part-time | Beginner | Medium | Before you apply |
For teachers and lecturers
| Area of work | Who it suits | Example roles | Apprenticeship standards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Foundations & Engineering | Engineers who enjoy solving complex systems and infrastructure challenges. | Data Engineer, Analytics Engineer, Database Specialist, Data Platform Engineer | ST0332 Level 3, ST0164 Level 3, ST0491 Level 3 |
| Analytics & Decision Intelligence | Logicians who enjoy structure, organisation, and clear visual communication. | Data Analyst, Business Intelligence Developer, Decision Scientist, Analytics Lead | ST0795 Level 3, ST0118 Level 4 |
| Machine Learning & AI Development | Mathematical thinkers who love experimentation, research, and coding. | Machine Learning Engineer, AI Engineer, Applied Scientist, NLP / Computer Vision Specialist | ST1398 Level 6 |
| Data Strategy, Governance & Ethics | Detail-oriented thinkers interested in law, ethics, and social impact. | Data Governance Lead, Privacy Engineer, Responsible AI Specialist, Chief Data Officer | None listed in the Matrix yet |
| AI Operations & Deployment | System builders who enjoy the bridge between software engineering and AI. | MLOps Engineer, AI Platform Engineer, Model Operations Specialist, AI Reliability Engineer | None listed in the Matrix yet |
| Frontier AI & Advanced Applications | Early adopters who thrive in rapidly changing, experimental environments. | Generative AI Specialist, Robotics AI Engineer, Autonomous Systems Developer, AI Research Engineer | None listed in the Matrix yet |
| Applied Data Science & Experimentation | Curious investigators who want proof, not just intuition. | Data Scientist, Experimentation Lead, Forecasting Analyst, Research Scientist | None listed in the Matrix yet |
| Data & AI Product Management | Bridge-builders who enjoy scoping ambiguous problems into shippable plans. | AI Product Manager, Data Product Manager, ML Product Owner, Platform Product Manager | None listed in the Matrix yet |
| Asset Integrity & Inspection Engineering | Methodical, detail-focused people who'd rather prove something is safe with real evidence than take someone's word for it. | NDT Engineer, Materials Engineer, Asset Integrity Engineer, Quality Assurance Engineer | ST0358 Level 2, ST0288 Level 3, ST0369 Level 6 |
The Who it suits column comes from the Career Matrix. It is a starting point for a conversation, not an assessment.
Notes on your students
Activities for lessons and clubs
| Activity | What students do | Level | Time | Skills shown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales Dashboard | A Power BI or Tableau dashboard built from a public retail/sales dataset (e.g. a Kaggle superstore dataset), showing revenue trends, top products and regional performance with interactive filters. | Beginner | 8-12 hours | Power BI, Microsoft Excel |
| Customer Churn Analysis | Using a public telecom or subscription churn dataset (e.g. the well-known Kaggle Telco Customer Churn dataset), identify which customer attributes correlate most with churn using Python/pandas, and present findings with clear visualisations. | Intermediate | 12-18 hours | Python, SQL, Business Intelligence & Data Storytelling |
| NHS Data Explorer | An exploratory analysis of a real, genuinely public NHS dataset (e.g. NHS England's Data Catalogue at data.england.nhs.uk, the NHSBSA, NHS Business Services Authority, Open Data Portal, or NHS Digital's published statistics), for example, prescribing trends or A&E waiting times by region. | Intermediate | 12-16 hours | SQL, Python, Business Intelligence & Data Storytelling |
| Power BI Executive Dashboard | A polished, presentation-ready Power BI dashboard summarising a full dataset for a non-technical executive audience, fewer, higher-level visuals than the Sales Dashboard project, with a clear narrative flow and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators, the specific numbers a business tracks to judge success) calculated using DAX (Data Analysis Expressions, Power BI's built-in formula language). | Advanced | 15-20 hours | Power BI, Business Intelligence & Data Storytelling |
| Multi-Method Site Survey Comparison | Survey a real or training yard site using a total station and an RTK GNSS (Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System, a highly precise, centimetre-accurate form of satellite positioning) or GPS rover, capturing the same control points with each method, then bring both datasets into GIS (Geographic Information System, software for mapping and analysing location-based data) or CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software to compare accuracy and produce a single coordinated survey plan. | Beginner | 6-10 hours | Capture Accurate Site Survey Data (GPS, Laser Scanning, Drone Mapping) |
| Drone to BIM (Building Information Modelling) Discrepancy Check | Fly an authorised UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, i.e. drone) mapping mission over a site or existing structure, process the imagery into an orthomosaic (a single, accurately-scaled aerial image stitched together from many overlapping photos) or point cloud (a 3D map made of millions of individually measured points), then overlay it against the BIM design model or GIS (Geographic Information System) site drawing to flag any as built versus design discrepancies. | Advanced | 10-15 hours | Capture Accurate Site Survey Data (GPS, Laser Scanning, Drone Mapping) |
| Component Inspection Report (NDT) | Under supervision, inspect a test component using an available non-destructive testing method (e.g. visual or ultrasonic), then produce a formal written inspection report stating the method used, findings, and a clear pass/fail decision against a stated acceptance standard, reviewed by your mentor or trainer. | Intermediate | 6-10 hours | Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Methods (Ultrasonic, Radiographic, Visual), Inspection Reporting & Certification |
These are the portfolio projects used in the TechSkills Career Planner. Each is meant to produce work a learner can show an employer.
Where to find out more
- National Careers ServiceCareers advice, job profiles, information and resources. (Department for Education. Checked 1 November 2026.)
- Find an apprenticeshipRegister a profile, search vacancies and apply for an apprenticeship. Applicants must be 16 or over. (GOV.UK. Checked 1 November 2026.)
- Skills BootcampsFor people updating their skills to progress in their current job or move into a different role. (JobHelp, GOV.UK. Checked 1 November 2026.)
- Skills England: apprenticeship searchSkills England's apprenticeship search. (Skills England. Checked 1 November 2026.)
General notes
Sources and checking
The figures in this guide were checked on dates from 11 July 2026 to 1 November 2026. Each source below shows its own date.
- Skills England: ST0358 Non-destructive Testing (NDT) OperatorChecked 31 July 2026
- Skills England: ST0164 Engineering Design TechnicianChecked 30 July 2026
- Skills England: ST0288 Non-destructive Testing Engineering TechnicianChecked 31 July 2026
- Skills England: ST0332 Surveying TechnicianChecked 29 July 2026
- Skills England: ST0491 Geospatial Survey TechnicianChecked 29 July 2026
- Skills England: ST0795 Data TechnicianChecked 10 August 2026
- Skills England: ST0118 Data AnalystChecked 10 August 2026
- Skills England: ST0369 Non-destructive Testing Engineer (integrated degree)Checked 31 July 2026
- Skills England: ST1398 Machine Learning EngineerChecked 10 August 2026
- National Careers Service, Department for EducationChecked 1 November 2026
- Find an apprenticeship, GOV.UKChecked 1 November 2026
- Skills Bootcamps, JobHelp, GOV.UKChecked 1 November 2026
- Skills England: apprenticeship search, Skills EnglandChecked 1 November 2026
- gov.uk: Apprenticeship funding rules and assessment plan guidance, 2026 to 2027 (checked 20 July 2026)
- gov.uk: National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates (checked 20 July 2026)
- gov.uk: Student finance for undergraduates (checked 20 July 2026)
- gov.uk: Repaying your student loan; gov.uk: How interest is calculated, Plan 5 (checked 20 July 2026)
- ONS ASHE Table 14, 2024 (revised) (checked 11 July 2026)
- IT Jobs Watch: Data Analyst / Junior Data Analyst / Senior Data Analyst (UK) (checked 11 July 2026)
- Data Job Market Report (UK), Learning People / Adzuna, Jun 2026 (checked 11 July 2026)
- IT Jobs Watch: Data Analyst skills (UK), 6 months to 11 Jul 2026 (checked 11 July 2026)
- Luxley: Data Analyst Certifications UK 2026 (checked 11 July 2026)
- UK Standard Skills Classification (skillsclassification.org): Surveying technicians (checked 29 July 2026)
- IfATE/Skills England: Surveying Technician (ST0332), Geospatial Survey Technician (ST0491) (checked 29 July 2026)
- QGIS.org user guide (checked 29 July 2026)
- Emlid documentation (checked 29 July 2026)
- IfATE/Skills England: Non-destructive Testing (NDT) Operator (ST0358), Non-destructive Testing Engineering Technician (ST0288) (checked 31 July 2026)
- BINDT: Education & Training / PCN certification scheme (checked 31 July 2026)
- IfATE/Skills England: Non-destructive Testing Engineering Technician (ST0288) (checked 31 July 2026)
- Microsoft Learn certification documentation (checked 11 July 2026)
- CBT Nuggets: 'Is the DP-900 Worth It?' (checked 11 July 2026)
- Careery: Google Data Analytics Certificate Review 2026 (checked 11 July 2026)