Start your data career with purpose. At Buro Happold, people are at the heart of everything we do - and understanding our people through data is key to shaping a better, more informed organisation.
As a People Data Engineering Apprentice, you’ll play an active role in building and maintaining the systems that help us transform raw data into meaningful insights. Over the course of your Level 5 Data Engineer apprenticeship, you’ll develop your technical and professional skills while working on real projects that make a difference globally. You’ll be supported by experienced colleagues, a structured on‑the‑job learning plan, and a strong early careers community, helping you develop the technical, professional, and problem‑solving skills to thrive in data.
What will I be doing?
You’ll be part of the People Data & Solutions team, supporting the end‑to‑end data lifecycle: ingestion, storage, transformation, and quality – so that analysts, data scientists, and business teams can rely on trusted insights.
Data Engineering & Technical
* Work with people data models to understand how data is structured and used.
* Help design, build, and maintain data pipelines from structured, semi‑structured, and unstructured sources.
* Support ETL processes: clean, validate, and transform data for downstream use.
* Monitor pipelines, investigate issues, identify root causes, and support fixes.
* Contribute to data quality frameworks (accuracy, completeness, consistency, timeliness).
* Support deployment of new data processes and maintain technical documentation.
Data Governance & Compliance
* Follow data governance, privacy, and security standards.
* Maintain accurate records and audit logs.
* Analyse data flows to identify gaps, risks, or inconsistencies.
* Handle confidential information with professionalism.
Operational & Administrative
* Help prepare routine people data reports and dashboards.
* Respond to data access and data quality queries in a timely manner.
* Assist with small‑scale data projects, meeting deadlines with strong attention to detail.
* Support the HR Systems Specialist with data‑related system updates and improvements.
Collaboration & Continuous Improvement
* Work closely with analysts, data scientists, HR, and business teams to understand data needs.
* Contribute ideas that improve processes, tools, and documentation.
* Stay curious about data engineering, cloud, and AI – bringing new ideas to the team.
What does success look like?
* Strong progress through your Level 5 apprenticeship (on‑the‑job learning + external training).
* Accurate, timely support delivered within our governance standards.
* Trusted relationships with technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
* Clear attention to detail, problem‑solving mindset, and willingness to learn.
* Becoming a reliable first point of contact for people‑data‑related queries.
What do I bring to this role?
* Level 2 English and Maths (required for apprenticeship completion).
* Confidence using Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
* Interest in data, technology, and problem solving.
* Any exposure to programming (e.g., Python, SQL) or BI/visualisation tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) is beneficial but not essential – enthusiasm to learn matters most.
Experience & Qualifications
Level 2 English and Maths (required for apprenticeship completion). Confidence using Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook). Interest in data, technology, and problem solving. Any exposure to programming (e.g., Python, SQL) or BI/visualisation tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) is beneficial but not essential – enthusiasm to learn matters most.
Style & Behaviours
* Strong communicator with a professional, approachable manner.
* Exceptional attention to detail and organisational skills.
* Comfortable prioritising multiple tasks and adapting to change.
* Collaborative and respectful towards both technical and non‑technical colleagues.
* Proactive, accountable, and committed to continuous improvement.
Apprenticeship details
Programme : Data Engineer (Level 5)
Provider : BPP
Entry requirements & course info: More information about the Level 5 Data Engineer apprenticeship entry requirements can be found here
Application Process
We have partnered with BPP for the application and recruitment process so all applications must apply through them. Please apply using this link. For further guidance and support through the recruitment process, you may find our Early Careers Candidate Pack and Early Careers Interview Preparation Pack useful.
Ready to shape the future of people data at Buro Happold? If you’re motivated, eager to learn, and excited about starting a career in data engineering, we’d love to hear from you.
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