Spatial data specialist
Level 7 · Degree (Master’s)Digital 2 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
This Level 7 apprenticeship trains specialists to collect, manage, analyse, and communicate spatial data to support decision-making in areas such as planning, environment, infrastructure, and emergency response. Apprentices use advanced GIS tools, remote sensing, and data science techniques to extract meaning from geographic information. It can lead to roles such as GIS Manager, Spatial Analyst, or Head of Geospatial Intelligence.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Advanced GIS software use including ArcGIS and QGIS
Remote sensing, satellite imagery analysis, and photogrammetry
Spatial database management and SQL for geographic data
Data science techniques applied to spatial datasets
Cartographic design and effective geospatial visualisation
Geospatial standards, metadata, and data quality principles
Communicating spatial insights to technical and non-technical audiences
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Build and maintain spatial datasets and geodatabases
Analyse geographic data to answer specific research or business questions
Produce maps, dashboards, and spatial reports for stakeholders
Process satellite or aerial imagery to extract useful information
Develop automated workflows for spatial data processing
Advise colleagues on best use of geospatial data and tools
Ensure data quality, standards compliance, and metadata are maintained
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 7 (Degree (Master’s)) - roughly Master’s-degree level. Usually needs a relevant degree or Level 6 qualification, or significant experience.
What’s next: Leads into senior and chartered professional roles.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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