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Honours for apprentice data scientists

Cambridge University Press & Assessment is celebrating the achievements of its first cohort of degree apprentice data scientists who all graduated with firsts.

Jul 28 2023

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From left to right: Adam Sanigar, Pat Robbie, Marieta Pagoni, William Caulker, Sarah Hand, Josh Shailes, and Gosia Gawedzka. Not shown: John Clarke and Muhammad Chaudry.

Cambridge's first-ever cohort of data scientist BSc graduates stand and pose outside the Old Schools building dressed in navy and yellow cap and gowns. — From left to right: Adam Sanigar, Pat Robbie, Marieta Pagoni, William Caulker, Sarah Hand, Josh Shailes, and Gosia Gawedzka. Not shown: John Clarke and Muhammad Chaudry.

Apprentices are so important for widening our talent pool at Cambridge as they are another way of growing our workforce and developing our people.

The Data Science Apprenticeship Programme is a pivotal part of Cambridge’s journey towards a data-driven culture. The programme has helped to unlock the power of data for customers and provided the individuals with the skills needed to work in the growing field of data science.

The outstanding first cohort of BSc Data Science degree apprentices received distinctions and graduated this month with first-class honours.

A celebration at Cambridge University Press & Assessment’s headquarters this week recognised the exceptional achievements of the nine successful graduates.

The talented individuals were selected during the autumn of 2019 and embarked on a unique learning journey, combining practical workplace experience with academic studies. The data scientist apprenticeship programme, culminated in a BSc (Hons) Data Science degree awarded by Anglia Ruskin University.

Data scientist apprentice graduate, Pat Robbie dressed in navy and yellow cap & gown. — Pat Robbie, Performance Data Analyst, Regional Development and Planning, graduated with first-class honours.

Several of Cambridge's cohort of data scientist apprentice graduates talk to each other dressed in navy and yellow cap and gowns — Gosia Gawedzka, Associate Data Scientist, ARD (centre), and her BSc Data Science degree apprentice colleagues gather outside the Old Schools building in Cambridge for their graduation ceremony on 11 July.

The cohort produced impactful work, showcasing their acquired skills and knowledge in the fields of programming, big data analytics, and machine learning. Despite challenges posed by the global pandemic, the apprentice data scientists demonstrated remarkable resilience, dedication, and the ability to persevere throughout their programme of learning.

Janet Scotcher, Chief People Officer at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, said: "Apprentices are so important for widening our talent pool at Cambridge as they are another way of growing our workforce and developing our people. I’m so proud of what our apprentices have achieved.”

What's next for the data scientists?

Many of the apprentices have decided to stay with us as we grow the organisation’s capabilities in data, analytics and artificial intelligence.

Now equipped with some of the most sought-after skills in the job market, including programming, big data analytics and machine learning gained from working as apprentices at Cambridge, the BSc apprentice graduates have moved into various roles. The pioneering cohort of graduates now actively apply their data science skills in different areas of the organisation such as technology, Academic publishing, English, corporate services, and assessment research.

Nick Raikes, Director of Data Science in the Assessment Research and Development Division (ARD), and sponsor of the data apprenticeship programmes, said: “I am so pleased that so many of the apprentices have decided to stay with us as we grow the organisation’s capabilities in data, analytics and artificial intelligence.”

Adam Sanigar, Associate Data Scientist, ARD, said: “Working on machine learning projects at Cambridge has been completely life-changing. When I was job hunting, I wasn’t having much luck for quite a while but doing a job I love and that challenges me has made me a lot happier than I was before. I’ve now got a degree and almost four years’ experience in data science so the sky’s the limit now!”

Data scientist graduate, Adam Sanigar, outside the Old Schools building walks toward the Cambridge Corn Exchange dressed in a navy and yellow cap and gown for the graduation ceremony. — Adam Sanigar, Associate Data Scientist, ARD: "I’ve now got a degree and almost four years’ experience in data science so the sky’s the limit now!"

Data scientist apprentice graduates smile outside the graduation ceremony held at the Cambridge Corn Exchange dressed in navy and yellow cap and gowns. — Josh Shailes, (Associate Data Scientist, ARD), Sarah Hand (Academic Data Analytics Manager), and William Caulker (Associate Data Scientist, Technology), apply their data science skills in roles across the organisation.

Sarah Hand, Academic Data Analytics Manager, who received a prize at graduation for achieving the highest mark in the final year, said: “I decided to undertake the BSc apprenticeship as I have always been interested in understanding data and how it can be used to help inform decisions. I wanted to learn new skills and techniques that I could then share with others to improve processes and ways of working. I am passionate about ensuring that everyone has at least a basic level of data literacy.

“The lecturers try to make the content relevant with real-world examples and this helped ensure that the skills and techniques learned can easily be transferred into the workplace. The degree highlighted how much I enjoy working with data and since completing the degree apprenticeship I’ve decided to apply for a more data focused role within Academic publishing at Cambridge, which I have now started, and I have already utilised content from my studies within projects and processes.”

Enhancing skills and embracing data

Already our apprentices have made a major contribution – both individually and collectively – to better curating and making productive the mountains of data which come from our assessment and publishing activities.

The BSc Data Science degree apprentices join over 50 colleagues who have successfully completed a data apprenticeship at Cambridge University Press & Assessment since the programme's inception in 2019. The full programme at Cambridge currently consists of five data science-related apprenticeships that range from Level 3 (Data Technician) up to MSc (Digital and Technology Solution Specialist), equipping new and existing colleagues with highly regarded skills in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Acknowledging and commending the achievements of the data apprentices at a celebration at Cambridge’s headquarters on 26 July, Tim Oates CBE, Director of ARD, said: “The Data Apprenticeships are a tremendous success. We have seen high retention and completion rates combining with superlative grades. The apprenticeships are sharply contemporary and forward-looking yet benefit from sitting in a tradition of learning-through-work which stretches back hundreds of years.

“Already our apprentices have made a major contribution – both individually and collectively – to better curating and making productive the mountains of data which come from our assessment and publishing activities.”

Tim Oates CBE faces outward and stands next to a screen displaying a QR code delivering a speech to the successful data apprentices and their line managers at the data apprentice celebration held at University Printing House in Cambridge. — Tim Oates CBE, Director of ARD, commended the achievements of the data apprentices and hailed the success of the programme at a data apprentice celebration held in Cambridge.

A group photo of attendees at the data apprentice celebration held at University Printing House. — More than 50 colleagues have successfully completed a data apprenticeship at Cambridge University Press & Assessment since the programme's inception in 2019.

Dedicated to upskilling colleagues and empowering individuals to thrive, the organisation recently launched a number of capability academies to transform the way colleagues develop essential skills and capabilities for the future. The academies provide opportunities to enhance skills, stay up to date with industry trends, and drive innovation. A ‘Global Data Academy' has been central to the initiative, reflecting a drive to harness the power of data and artificial intelligence (AI).

Cambridge University Press & Assessment is invested in the learning and growth of millions of learners around the world, and the same commitment is made to every colleague.