Why is it important to use data from your role for your portfolio?
Our programmes are built on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education's (IFATE) standards. These describe the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) that are required to be competent in sourcing and presenting data securely and in a relevant way in your role.
Knowledge: the information, technical detail, and 'know-how' that someone needs to have and understand to successfully carry out the duties. Some knowledge will be occupation-specific, whereas some may be more generic.
Skills: the practical application of knowledge needed to undertake the duties successfully. They are learned through on- and/or off-the-job training or experience.
Behaviours: mindsets, attitudes, or approaches needed for competence. While these can be innate or instinctive, they can also be learned. Behaviours tend to be very transferable. They may be more similar across apprenticeships than knowledge and skills. For example, a team worker who is adaptable and professional.
What data can you use for projects and portfolios?
Everything you've experienced during your apprenticeship has been designed to help you not only meet the requirements of the standard but to go beyond it in order to prepare you for success.
Multiverse is first and foremost under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom, which means your activities are governed by UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. You should have these laws in mind when handling data and assessing whether an action is appropriate. For more information, see https://www.gov.uk/data-protection.
You should not use personal data, i.e. data that alone or in combination with other data, can lead to the identification of a person.
You should not use confidential corporate data, i.e. data that reveals product, services or other commercial data not intended for audiences other than your employer.
You can use data from your role or team for your projects as outlined in the brief.
You cannot use open source data as it needs to be based on your role and create value for your team.
You cannot use data that has no value for your team.
You should write about the knowledge, skills, and behaviours you have implemented in your project, and supplement this by inserting screenshots of your work in your project or portfolio.
Portfolio Redaction and Anonymisation
You should redact or anonymise all personal data and sensitive corporate information in your screenshots. This includes numbers, outputs, names, and any other identifiable information.
Redacting and anonymising showcases your data policy and security understanding - it will not negatively affect you; the assessor is not interested in the content of your data.
Example of a redacted excel screenshot:
Notice the only aspects that have not been redacted are unidentifiable information such as the headers for context and the formula and standard deviation to showcase it works. The apprentice also left the dates and their content themes; however, this could also be redacted if it was sensitive.
Example of a redacted visualisation:
Notice even the bar chart output is redacted - it is not necessary for the assessor to know the results, as long as you show the kind of chart you created.
What are you trying to show the assessor in your portfolio?
To meet the requirements of the standard, you will need to convince your assessors that you can source, format, and present data securely in such a way that it can be analysed effectively.
You are expected to use basic methods to:
Communicate outcomes appropriate to an audience
Analyse structured and unstructured data to support business outcomes
Blend data from multiple sources as directed
Apply legal and ethical principles when manipulating data
You must also demonstrate that you have experience in working with a wide range of stakeholders, including colleagues, managers, customers, and internal and external suppliers. It's worth remembering this while you are doing your job, so you can spot suitable examples that you can use as evidence in your portfolio.
What is the value of your projects?
At Multiverse, our aim is not only to support you through your programme but to ensure you are best placed to excel once you finish. Part of this is being able to support you on projects that you will then continue and then expand upon beyond the programme.
Were you not to use real-world data, you would essentially be starting from scratch once you leave the programme, rather than developing and building upon projects that you have worked on during your apprenticeship.
We have numerous examples of apprentices who have started projects on a programme with the support of their coach, which have then grown into long-term projects at work that have resulted in revenue generation or cost savings. By responsibly using real-world data, you can ensure you are best positioned to achieve similar outcomes in your role.