About the job

Job summary

We recognise the challenges that people with protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.

The Department for Transport (DfT) is recruiting for a Transport Modelling apprentice. It’s an exciting career – working with big data sets and applying advanced coding expertise to complex modelling questions.

Working as part of the wider DfT analyst community, your work will make a direct contribution to making people’s journeys safer, cleaner, faster and more affordable, as well as building future capacity. Some examples of the work of Transport Modellers are:

• Analysing the impact of proposed active travel (cycling and walking) schemes.
• Assessing the impact of aviation plans on net carbon targets, considering the impacts of new technologies.
• Detecting the social, economic and technological variables which affect change in travel behaviour and assessing potential impacts on modelling approaches.
• Assessing the impact of road schemes on the network and advising ministers on funding decisions.

Job description

For this opportunity, you don’t need to have modelling expertise – what’s important is that you enjoy getting your teeth into complex maths challenges and have a desire to learn. We’ll start you off with simpler tasks, then your line manager will coach you in the fundamentals of transport modelling as well as giving you plenty of opportunities to apply your skills to genuine work. This will be complemented by studying towards a BSc in Transport Planning apprenticeship (level 6) with Aston University over five years.

Click here to find information on the Transport Planning BSc.

You can find out more about the Level 6 Transport Planner Apprenticeship here and the apprenticeship standard can be accessed here .

Your responsibilities will vary depending on which team you are first posted to, but could include:

• Developing an understanding of the different data sets produced by Statistician colleagues then collating the right set needed for a modelling task.
• Data analysis, using tools such as Excel, R and Python. For example, methodically running modelling scenarios to predict the impact of a new policy on the UK road network.
• Using Geographic Information System software (GIS) to map and analyse transport data.
• Reviewing scheme assessment documents provided by external bodies - assessing the quality and rigour of the documents and summarising their content to analyst colleagues.

For a more detailed description of the role, please see the attached role profile.

About the Level 6 Transport Planner Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship is an exciting opportunity to ‘earn whilst you learn’ by combining theoretical learning with practical ‘on-the-job’ experience; allowing you to work towards a nationally recognised qualification, whilst building skills in your daily role and earning a salary. An apprenticeship also allows you to secure a qualification with no tuition / student fees as the programme is fully funded by the department. You will spend 6 hours per week of your contracted working hours dedicated to your apprenticeship and will be surrounded by a supportive network at DfT.

Aston University’s Transport Planning Degree Apprenticeship is the first of its kind in the UK and has been developed in close partnership with specialist transport consultancies, local authorities and governing bodies to create a programme that meets the needs of the transport industry. As a Transport Planner apprentice, you will be immersed in the economic, operational and environmental issues related to the transport profession. In addition, you will acquire the professional, academic and management skills necessary to succeed in any sector of the industry.

Aston University’s teaching requirements mean that you will need to be committed to attending six one-week teaching blocks on campus per year with virtual learning taking place in between. 

Person specification

You'll have experience of using software packages to achieve effective outcomes. You will be enthusiastic in developing yourself by identifying gaps in your own knowledge and seeking learning opportunities. You will have the ability to analyse and research information to support decisions. You will have excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly and concisely. 

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply, you must:

• Be at least 16 years old.
• Have the right to work in the UK.
• Been a UK/EU/EAA resident for at least three years prior to starting the course.
• Have left full-time education when the apprenticeship starts.
• Not be in receipt of funding for other learning programmes (including another apprenticeship.)
• Hold at least a grade 5 for English GCSE and a 7 for GCSE maths.

If you currently hold or are working towards a similar qualification of the same level or higher than a BSc in Transport Planning, you will not be eligible to apply for this vacancy. In order to be eligible for our apprenticeship vacancy, any qualifications previously held or currently being worked towards must differ in content so that this apprenticeship provides substantial new skills. If you apply and are found to possess the above your application will not be considered; any offer of employment will be withdrawn and your contract will be terminated.

If you are applying under a Tier 4 Student Visa then you would not be eligible to apply.

Additional Information

A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace, although requirements to attend other locations for official business, or carry out detached duty in another DfT workplace, will also count towards this level of attendance. 

Occasional travel to other DfT offices will be required.

Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.

Find out more about what it's like working at the Department for Transport.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Experience.

How to Apply

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please tailor a 500 word personal statement demonstrating the following:

• Using a software package (e.g. Excel or a coding package) to achieve an effective outcome.
• Pro-active steps you have taken to improve your skills and knowledge (e.g. professional or personal).

After submission of the first stage of your application (personal details), you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Numerical test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application (personal statement).

Please complete the online test as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests and personal statement is 23:55 on 01/07/2024. If you fail to complete the online test and the personal statement before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

Please be aware that maintenance on the test system is planned for Saturday 29th June 2024 and Sunday 30th June 2024. During this period you may not be able to access the testing system. Please ensure you complete the test outside of these dates. 

If you are successful at the application stage and Civil Service Numerical test you will be invited to an interview.

The sift is due to take place from Tuesday the 2nd of July.

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held from Monday the 8th of July. 

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:

• An interview and an ability test to assess numeracy and analysis skills. 

This interview could be conducted online via Teams or face to face at one of our offices. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website.

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.