AI-Enabled Data Engineer

Level 5 apprenticeship

Equip your technical professionals with advanced data modelling and AI-enabled engineering skills, enabling them to design, build and optimise the data infrastructure that underpins AI-driven solutions.

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A woman looking at computer screens showing data charts.

Overview

In an era where data is the fuel for Artificial Intelligence, the traditional role of the Data Plumber, manually patching legacy systems is no longer enough. To deliver on the promise of AI, businesses need a new breed of professional: the Engineering Orchestrator.

Our Level 5 AI-Enabled Data Engineer programme is an apprenticeship designed for the age of intelligence. We don’t just teach technical implementation - we empower learners to architect the high-speed Data Motorways that make enterprise-grade AI possible.

By mastering AI-augmented engineering from day one, your team will move from writing manual boilerplate to orchestrating complex, self-healing systems. From building production-grade Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines to implementing Fin-Ops for cloud scalability, this programme ensures your data infrastructure is resilient, ethical, and built for the future.

Average duration

Up to 28 months, including assessment period

Ofsted rating

Good | View report

Key skills

To transition from a developer to an Engineering Orchestrator, apprentices must master the intersection of high-scale cloud infrastructure, advanced data modelling, and automated intelligence. Our curriculum is specifically engineered to bridge the gap between legacy data handling and modern AI requirements, equipping your team with the technical rigour to build autonomous, cost-effective, and transparent systems that serve as the fundamental backbone of organisational intelligence.

AI-Augmented Engineering

RAG and Vector Database Architecture

Self-Healing Cloud-Ops (IaaC)

Fin-Ops and Predictive Scaling

Ethical Lineage and Explainable AI

Who it's for

The Level 5 Data Engineer is designed for technical professionals and organisations ready to move beyond manual data management and into the realm of automated, AI-driven infrastructure. Whether you are looking to hire new talent or upskill your existing team, this programme bridges the gap between traditional data handling and high-scale engineering. It is a strategic fit for organisations in data-heavy or high-governance sectors, such as Finance, Healthcare, and Legal, that require a unified Data Motorway to feed corporate AI models safely and at scale. This apprenticeship is ideal for:

A Modern Infrastructure Builder: A STEM graduate or a Level 4 technical apprentice looking to become an AI-native Engineer.
A Level-Up Analyst: An experienced Data Analyst or Analytics Engineer moving upstream from static reporting into the infrastructure that powers it.
A Legacy Migrator: An established IT professional or Database Administrator (DBA) transitioning from on-premise systems to elastic, AI-enabled Cloud-Ops.
An AI Platform Specialist: A technical lead specifically tasked with building the Vector Databases and real-time data flows required for enterprise-grade Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).
A Junior Data Engineer: An existing team member looking to formalise their skills and master AI-augmented engineering and self-healing systems.

How your organisation benefits

A Level 5 Data Engineer provides a critical competitive advantage by building the Data Motorways required for enterprise AI and data projects. This programme shifts your team from manual maintenance to automated orchestration, reducing technical debt and accelerating the delivery of production-ready intelligence.

Using AI-augmented engineering to automate boilerplate and accelerate delivery
Gain internal expertise in building RAG and Vector Database architectures for real-time AI and data projects
Prevents cost sprawl through FinOps and predictive scaling
Create self-healing infrastructure that detects and repairs failures automatically
Built-in mastery of Ethical AI and global regulatory compliance
Create an AI-native engineering culture that scales across all major cloud providers

Eligibility

Regardless of age or prior attainment, anyone can undertake an apprenticeship provided they are learning new skills and are employed in England, in a relevant role. Kaplan will support you to assess the job role suitability as part of your application.

To do this apprenticeship employers may specify that candidates must have at least a grade 4/C GCSE (or equivalent) in maths and English. If apprentices don't have this level of maths and English, Kaplan offers free resources and support to make sure they develop their understanding and application of the subjects by the end of their apprenticeship.

Apprentices typically have one of the following:

A Level 3/4 Apprenticeship
12 months of work experience in the last 24 months if they do not have any other Level 2 qualifications
Demonstrate Technical Readiness: Possess a foundational understanding of data logic (Python/SQL) and cloud concepts, typically gained through a Level 3/4 apprenticeship or equivalent workplace experience.

Learner milestones

The Level 5 Data Engineer programme is designed as a modular journey, moving from foundational AI-augmented coding to complex infrastructure orchestration. Each milestone is built around a core Assessment Outcome (AO), ensuring that technical theory is immediately applied to real-world work products.

Months 1-3

The AI-Augmented Developer

The programme begins by redefining the developer workflow. Learners move beyond manual coding to master AI-assisted engineering, using integrated assistants to accelerate production without compromising on quality or security.

Key skills:

Syntactic literacy and code validation.
AI-augmented development.
Automated testing.
Code auditing.
Prompting for engineers.

Months 4-7

Intelligent Ingestion and Semantic Modeling

Learners bridge the gap between raw data and machine intelligence. This unit focuses on building ingestion pipelines that don't just move data, but understand it, preparing it for the rigorous requirements of modern AI models.

Key skills:

Semantic data modeling.
Automated profiling.
Advanced ELT/ETL.
Data quality automation.

Months 8-11

Cloud-Ops and Adaptive Resilience

The focus shifts to the Data Motorway, the infrastructure itself. Apprentices learn to build elastic, cost-effective cloud environments that are engineered to be self-healing and highly available.

Key skills:

Infrastructure as code (IaaC).
Self-healing design.
Fin-Ops and cost scaling.
CI/CD for data.

Months 12-16

Advanced Architecture and High-Performance Pipelines

This milestone tackles the Hard Tech of modern data delivery. Learners master the high-performance infrastructure required to provide applications and users with accurate, real-time, and contextual data at scale.

Key skills:

Advanced indexing and retrieval.
Contextual data engineering.
High-throughput streaming.
Scalable feature management.

Months 16-18

The Synthesis and Leadership Gateway

The final phase of the programme transitions the learner from Engineer to Strategic Lead. Rather than a standalone end-point project, this phase focuses on consolidating the technical work-products created throughout the programme into a high-level Portfolio of Engineering Excellence.

Key skills:

Work-product synthesis.
Strategic ROI validation.
The technical interview prep.
Vendor certification.

At a glance

Data Engineer

Level 5 apprenticeship

Funding options

Levy payer

Fully-funded

Non levy payer

95% government funded

Next steps

Looking to train future digital talent? Book a consultation with our expert Kaplan team.

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Unrivalled support

Our apprenticeships are uniquely designed to offer unparalleled support for both employers and learners. We provide expert-led, practical training and simulations that build transferable digital skills and instill a growth mindset - essential for effectively leveraging technology.

Support for employers

Clients benefit from comprehensive support to foster trust and collaboration, ensuring a successful apprenticeship experience.

Dedicated supportNamed client solutions contact and sector expert tutors ensure personalised guidance and relevant training throughout the apprenticeship journey.
Seamless onboardingTransparent application process, recruitment assistance for new vacancies, and clear visibility for line managers via learner portfolio dashboards.
Work-integrated learningApprentices apply skills directly to your organisation, supported by timely, accurate tracking and real-world experience.

Support for apprentices

Apprentices receive robust support, ensuring they have access to the information and resources needed to succeed in their roles.

Comprehensive supportRegular 1:1s with an industry-experienced Talent Coach, tutor access via email, and year-round Student Services support ensures consistent guidance.
Collaborative progress trackingApprenticeship ePortfolio allows for real-time tracking, evidence uploads, communication with coaches, and peer-to-peer learning within a small industry cohort.
Practical and applied learningInteractive lab environments and work-based projects enable apprentices to contextualise and apply skills directly in the workplace.

Why choose Kaplan?

Professional qualifications built in

All apprentices gain a vendor certification in Data Engineering, from a recognised industry qualification provider as well as proving their Python programming knowledge with a Python Institute Certification.

Expertly designed programmes

We work with industry and subject matter experts to design and deliver our programmes, ensuring they are fit for purpose and meet the specific needs of your organisation.

Immersive, hands-on learning

Small, interactive classes support personalised learning, with simulated labs to build and test practical business analysis skills.

Confident, capable employees

The programme, like all Kaplan programmes, is designed to support learners in increasing confidence to apply skills in the workplace.

Hear from our apprentices

My talent coach’s dedication to my growth and development has been invaluable, and I’m fortunate to have her on this journey.

Chloe Auger

Level 3 ICT apprentice at C.I.KNOW

View case study

An apprenticeship is an amazing opportunity if you want to change fields or progress to a different area in your career.

Monika Wojdasova

Level 3 Data User apprentice at Harris Federation

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Co-created with leaders in their field

Our commitment to excellence is evident in our strategic alliances with best-in-class key partners, bringing decades of leadership and specialist knowledge to every programme. This expertise underpins our rich content and immersive learning labs, driving tangible results.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Level 5 AI-Enabled Data Engineer apprenticeship programme?

The Level 5 AI-Enabled Data Engineer apprenticeship is designed to break down traditional data silos and legacy architectures that bottleneck AI adoption. It focuses on the high-velocity engineering required to fuel modern Artificial Intelligence, ensuring data is reachable, readable, and ready for machine learning

Who is this programme suitable for and how long does it take?

The Level 5 AI-Enabled Data Engineer apprenticeship is suited for technically-minded change agents ready to bridge the gap between software engineering and data science, such as Junior Data Engineers and Analysts, Database Administrators, and Junior Software Developers. The programme takes up to 24 months to complete, including the End Point Assessment period.

How is the apprenticeship funded?

It is funded at £19,000 for Levy payers, or a £950 employer contribution for non-levy payers.

What technical skills are covered?

Learners master the Modern Data Stack (MDS), Prompt-Driven Development (PDD) with Python and SQL, and AI-Ops and Cloud FinOps for pipeline automation. They also focus on building AI-ready architectures, which includes Semantic Data Modelling, Vector Databases (RAG), and data privacy protocols for Generative AI and Large Language Models.

How does the Level 5 AI-Enabled Data Engineer apprenticeship programme benefit my business?

Level 5 AI-Enabled Data Engineer apprenticeship transforms your raw data into a secure, measurable business asset that delivers genuine value. Your team will evolve beyond basic data management to engineer resilient, automated pipelines that feed high-quality, high-velocity data directly into your business processes and AI models.

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