Training programmes can be funded in two ways:
Apprenticeship-levy funded
For employees based in England, training is funded by the UK government’s Apprenticeship Levy scheme, meaning there is no direct cost to the employer. Learners complete the training as an apprenticeship and receive a nationally recognised apprenticeship certificate.
Apprenticeship requirements:
Employer-funded
Training is funded by the employer. The training includes all the same modules as the apprenticeship, but without the requirements and commitments. For more flexibility, learning content can be customised to meet budget, timescales and skills requirements.
About this route:
The employer-funded route would suit those who are either looking for more flexibility, are not eligible for funding or are not suitable for an apprenticeship. Some examples would include individuals who are:
Experiential learning
We apply an approach of blended experiential learning through a mixture of interactive, instructor-led workshops and hands-on practice using Jupyter notebooks and EDUKATE.AI, creating the optimum balance between theoretical and practical learning.
This accelerates learning and equips learners with the ability to apply their skills and knowledge in practice, guaranteeing ROI.
EDUKATE.AI - learning and assessment platform with instant feedback.
EDUKATE.AI is Cambridge Spark’s proprietary learning platform for data science.
Developed with funding from InnovateUK and in collaboration with Cambridge University, EDUKATE.AI is a smart system that allows learners to experience and experiment with real-world simulated projects whilst receiving immediate and personalised feedback and recommendations on their code.
Integrated into the platform are video lectures and learning resources for a complete learning experience. EDUKATE.AI is in itself a standalone, industry-leading virtual learning solution for data, analytics and AI.
Powered by our teaching engine K.A.T.E.®, what makes it unique is that it's focused on production-ready data science code rather than ‘toy’ learning examples and exercises, simulating a real working environment.
With access to EDUKATE.AI you will get:
Multiple practical real-world simulated assignments with immediate and personalised feedback and ticketed tutor support for every module
Interactive instructor-led video workshops with notebook exercises
Tutor-led live-coded assignment solution videos
Read more about EDUKATE.AI here
Attend live workshops (or catch up with recordings): All of our live workshops are recorded and available afterwards so no matter what, you have ultimate flexibility and can always catch up.
Live 1:1 tutor support in every class: All our live, virtual instructor-led sessions have both a lecturer and at least one tutor on hand to answer questions and support learners, ensuring fewer disruptions and a more personal experience.
Instant Q&A: While one expert leads the virtual training sessions, tutors are also on hand for instant Q&A via the messaging platform.
Interactive, hands-on learning: Throughout the training programme and lectures, learners will complete exercises in Jupyter Notebooks and have access to EDUKATE.AI® to practice the skills they’ve learnt.
Study groups: Learners have access to a Slack community, where they can come together to chat, socialise and discuss what they are learning and working on.
The technical skills already being applied in various departments are making waves throughout GSK’s UK and global teams. One solution developed by an apprentice allowed for over £30,000 savings due to task automation via a Python script.
“I wanted to get a strong grip on Python as a programming language and develop an understanding of data analysis. GSK collects a lot of data in various formats, with the right skill set, I would be able to identify patterns and unlock value for my team”.
Saad Abdullah, Apprentice
The L4 Data Analyst Academy accelerates learning and ensures ROI by allowing apprentices to work on a real-world data problem in the context of their business. Read the full case study here.
Cambridge Spark is a leader in transformational data science and AI training. Their pioneering training programmes are built on their proprietary AI-powered learning and assessment platform, EDUKATE.AI®, to accelerate the tech capability of both individuals and organisations.
Expert designed curriculum
Apprenticeship and Degree Apprenticeship Programmes are designed by Data Scientists and Data Analysts working in industry, for industry
Instant feedback 24/7 with EDUKATE.AI®
Learners are given instant feedback that’s aligned with standards such as PEP8, Pylint, Cyclomatic Complexity and Unit Tests, as well as machine learning metrics such as accuracy, F1 score, MSE and the confusion matrix.
Work-based projects and portfolios
Learners gain applied practical experience through completing real-world data problems. Programmes are focused on enabling learners to apply new skills into their work right away, driving value for the business and ensuring ROI.
Innovative virtual learning solutions
Live, instructor-led virtual learning sessions have been specifically designed for group remote learning. Training takes place over high-quality video and audio, creating a virtual classroom. Learners also have access to break out rooms, supported by Slack, where they can come together to chat, socialise and discuss the training.
Teaching & coaching from professionals
The very fabric of Cambridge Spark is deeply-rooted in academia, with the teaching and coaching team consisting of PhD’s from the UK’s best universities, and professionals with backgrounds in world-renowned Machine Learning organisations, such as Google, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Amazon, and Morgan Stanley.
Apprenticeships are a long-term training commitment which seek to upskill existing UK-based employees within an organisation, enabling employers to foster a workforce consisting of highly-skilled and highly-engaged talent.
They typically run over 12-24 months and include 6 hours off-the-job training, enabling a blended approach between theory and practical-learning.
Apprenticeships are open to anyone in full-time employment in England. They are open to current as well as new employees, people of any age, and even those with previous qualifications.
Apprenticeships can be for people early in their careers as well as experienced talent looking to advance their skill set or change careers, which is increasingly necessary as the world of work changes.
In England, if you are a large organisation with annual salaries over £3m you can have your apprenticeships 100% funded by the government through the apprenticeship levy. Employers who do not fall into this group can either have 95% funded by the government (and pay just 5%) or can have levy transferred from another levy-paying organisation to have them 100% funded.
Off-the-job training is defined as learning which is undertaken outside of the day-to-day work duties and it must take place within the apprentice’s normal working hours.
It can be delivered on a flexible basis, for example, as part of each day, one day per week, one week out of five, or as block release, and can be carried out at the apprentice’s place of work or from home.
The 6 hours off-the-job training provides learners with the time to focus and develop the required skills, knowledge, and behaviours to achieve the apprenticeship