Data Officer - Apprenticeships
| Posting date: | 13 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £26,707 to £29,588 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 29 March 2026 |
| Location: | Plymouth, South West England |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | University of Plymouth |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | B1149 |
Summary
"Are you a detail-driven data specialist with a passion for accuracy and compliance?"
About the role
The Data Officer for Apprenticeships reports to the Administration Operations Manager within the Apprenticeship & Skills Hub. The primary purpose of the role is to manage the production and submission of the Individual Learner Record (ILR) statutory return to the Department for Education (DfE). You will ensure timely, accurate funding submissions while supporting data analysis, reporting, and audit preparation to enable the successful delivery of apprenticeship & skills programmes.
You will:
• Manage the preparation, accuracy, and submission of the Individualised Learner Return (ILR Funding Submission) to the DfE, ensuring compliance with funding and audit requirements.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of DfE funding rules, ILR specifications, and apprenticeship funding guidance, implementing changes as required.
• Analyse, reconcile, and report apprenticeship data, producing monthly reports and highlighting actions to support compliance and accountability.
• Support audit preparation by collating compliant data, liaising with stakeholders, and assisting during audit visits.
• Provide administrative and system support, particularly with our apprenticeship platform, ensuring accurate programme set-up and effective communication with students, staff, and employers.
For this role, you will need to be on site 3 days a week. Although we can accommodate working from home for this role, flexibility to be on-site will be expected due to business needs.
For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact Joanne Clements: by email at joanne.clements-3@plymouth.ac.uk
We’re currently unable to sponsor this role under the Skilled Worker visa route. However, we welcome applicants who already have the right to work in the UK, including those on visa routes we can accept (e.g. Graduate visas).
What we’re looking for:
• Strong numeracy, literacy, and IT skills, with advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and databases.
• Proven experience of working accurately with large datasets under tight deadlines, demonstrating attention to detail and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and with external stakeholders.
• A flexible, self-motivated approach with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Desirable- A sound understanding of apprenticeships.
For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.
Application Process
Please apply online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, skills and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.
Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.
Our Offer
A successful external candidate for this position would be employed by the University of Plymouth Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Plymouth. Employees of the University of Plymouth Services Limited work alongside the University of Plymouth colleagues in delivery of Plymouth’s strategic vision, and will adopt the University of Plymouth’s HR policies and procedures in full unless otherwise stated.
We have a wide range of staff benefits available to employees, depending on eligibility:
• Generous annual leave: 25 Days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays & Closure Days
• Generous pension scheme
• Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Development opportunities
• Enhanced family leave
• Flexible working
• Retailer discounts
• On-site nursery
Additional Information
The University of Plymouth is an inclusive community where everyone is welcomed regardless of their background. To find out more about our inclusive community initiatives, such as Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter.
About the role
The Data Officer for Apprenticeships reports to the Administration Operations Manager within the Apprenticeship & Skills Hub. The primary purpose of the role is to manage the production and submission of the Individual Learner Record (ILR) statutory return to the Department for Education (DfE). You will ensure timely, accurate funding submissions while supporting data analysis, reporting, and audit preparation to enable the successful delivery of apprenticeship & skills programmes.
You will:
• Manage the preparation, accuracy, and submission of the Individualised Learner Return (ILR Funding Submission) to the DfE, ensuring compliance with funding and audit requirements.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of DfE funding rules, ILR specifications, and apprenticeship funding guidance, implementing changes as required.
• Analyse, reconcile, and report apprenticeship data, producing monthly reports and highlighting actions to support compliance and accountability.
• Support audit preparation by collating compliant data, liaising with stakeholders, and assisting during audit visits.
• Provide administrative and system support, particularly with our apprenticeship platform, ensuring accurate programme set-up and effective communication with students, staff, and employers.
For this role, you will need to be on site 3 days a week. Although we can accommodate working from home for this role, flexibility to be on-site will be expected due to business needs.
For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact Joanne Clements: by email at joanne.clements-3@plymouth.ac.uk
We’re currently unable to sponsor this role under the Skilled Worker visa route. However, we welcome applicants who already have the right to work in the UK, including those on visa routes we can accept (e.g. Graduate visas).
What we’re looking for:
• Strong numeracy, literacy, and IT skills, with advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and databases.
• Proven experience of working accurately with large datasets under tight deadlines, demonstrating attention to detail and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and with external stakeholders.
• A flexible, self-motivated approach with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Desirable- A sound understanding of apprenticeships.
For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.
Application Process
Please apply online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, skills and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.
Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.
Our Offer
A successful external candidate for this position would be employed by the University of Plymouth Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Plymouth. Employees of the University of Plymouth Services Limited work alongside the University of Plymouth colleagues in delivery of Plymouth’s strategic vision, and will adopt the University of Plymouth’s HR policies and procedures in full unless otherwise stated.
We have a wide range of staff benefits available to employees, depending on eligibility:
• Generous annual leave: 25 Days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays & Closure Days
• Generous pension scheme
• Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Development opportunities
• Enhanced family leave
• Flexible working
• Retailer discounts
• On-site nursery
Additional Information
The University of Plymouth is an inclusive community where everyone is welcomed regardless of their background. To find out more about our inclusive community initiatives, such as Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter.