In our rapidly evolving world, the skills needed in a digital, data, technology and innovation service are different to those from just a few years ago. Keeping up with these new skills goes beyond hiring for specific roles, we need our existing workforce to adapt to the new world as well.

Apprenticeships are the perfect way to develop those skills within an existing team. They offer a powerful, flexible way to address talent gaps and adapt to the changing needs of your organisation.

Whether you are looking to bring in enthusiastic new talent or upskill your most experienced staff, apprenticeships provide a structured, government-funded pathway to excellence.

The advantages of apprenticeships by numbers

If you are wondering if apprenticeships actually deliver, the data speaks for itself. According to UK government research, the impact on organisations is profound:

• Boosted morale: 92% of employers that have undertaken apprenticeships believe this leads to a more motivated and satisfied workforce.
• Relevant skills: 86% of employers said apprenticeships helped them develop skills relevant to their organisation.
• Better retention: 80% have seen a significant increase in employee retention, keeping vital knowledge within the borough.

Upskilling opportunities at every level

One of the biggest misconceptions about apprenticeships is that they are only for school leavers or entry-level roles. From an organisational perspective, apprenticeships are actually a powerful tool for strategic workforce planning at any tier of your team. They allow you to bring in advanced talent or transition seasoned professionals into critical, higher-level technical and leadership roles. 

Instead of struggling to recruit in a competitive market, you can use apprenticeships to develop mid-to-senior capability internally. Within digital, data, and technology teams, this means you can secure talent for complex roles such as:

• AI and Machine Learning Specialists to safely integrate automation and emerging technology into public services. 
• Business Analysts to map out and re-engineer complex council processes.
• Data Analysts and Data Scientists to mature your analytics capabilities.
• Product Managers and Service Designers to ensure your digital services are user-centred and efficient. 
• Cyber Security Professionals to protect critical council infrastructure.
• Software Developers and DevOps Engineers to modernise legacy systems.
• Digital and Technology Solutions Professionals (up to Master’s degree level) for strategic leadership.

The training is rigorous, combining daily on-the-job experience with a mandatory off-the-job training requirement. This ensures that while these high-level apprentices are actively delivering on your team’s current goals, they are simultaneously acquiring the advanced theoretical knowledge and professional behaviours required to fill your organisation’s trickiest capability gaps.

How apprenticeships work

Every apprenticeship is built on a standard – a blueprint designed by trailblazer groups of specialist employers who understand exactly what the industry needs. These standards define exactly what a person in that role should be able to do by the end of their programme.

To ensure quality and consistency, the journey ends with an end-point assessment. This is a formal, independent evaluation – often involving projects, presentations, or professional discussions – that confirms the apprentice is fully competent in their role.

Get started with the new LOTI guide

Navigating the world of digital, data, and technology apprenticeships can feel overwhelming. To help, LOTI has updated its comprehensive guide for 2026, which now includes over 50 different apprenticeship standards applicable to digital, data, technology roles within local government.

The guide outlines available roles from foundation level through to master’s degree level. It breaks down how the funding works and how these roles specifically help local authorities respond to the challenges of the digital age.