Level 4 Data Protection and Information Governance Apprenticeships
Damar Training’s level 4 data protection apprenticeship by Damar can enable you to develop skilled professionals in data protection and information governance, building a strategic asset that safeguards sensitive information, enhances operational efficiency, and strengthens your organisation’s resilience in an increasingly data-driven world.
As England’s largest provider of this apprenticeship programme, we deliver training for companies such as the BBC, Dunelm, and National Express, as well as a range of councils, government departments, and NHS trusts. Read some of our employer testimonials to get a glance at the benefits of our programme.
Benefits of a data protection apprenticeship
Apprenticeships are a brilliant investment for any organisation in the public or private sector. And, in today’s data-driven world, safeguarding sensitive information is paramount. Some of the key benefits of a data protection apprenticeship include:
- Improved compliance with laws and regulations: Upskilling your apprentice can enhance compliance and reduce the risks of data breaches.
- Development of in-house expertise: Instead of relying on external consultants, you can cultivate a team member with the specific skills and knowledge that your organisation needs.
- Management of information requests: Apprentices can become skilled in handling data subject access requests (SARs) and other information enquiries.
The Damar Difference
At Damar, we are delighted to have worked with many leading organisations on this impactful apprenticeship. As well as our impressive client base, we offer other inspiring features as part of our Damar apprenticeship delivery, such as:
Our awards
We were proud to be one of three finalists in the IMRS awards in 2023, and a finalist for the AELP and FE Week’s 2025 Apprenticeship and Training Awards. We are also the largest provider of this apprenticeship in England.
Our people
Our experienced team is at the core of what we do. They’re always on hand to offer support and empower you and your apprentice on every step of their learning journey, ensuring that they achieve the qualifications and make a truly significant impact on your organisation. We also work with Act Now, who provide technical input into learning resources and specialist group workshops throughout the programme.
Our processes
We’ll ensure that you experience a seamless enrolment and onboarding process, which leads carefully into planned, manageable chunks of learning.
Our systems
We provide your apprentice with accessible and engaging learning systems, including OneFile, Profiler, Damar OpenLearning, and our apprentice forums.
“The impact that the apprentices have brought to MAG has been huge. Without them we simply wouldn’t be able to do the really sterling work that we get to do every day. I would absolutely recruit further apprenticeships from Damar.
Stacey Lawrence
Data Protection Manager
Manchester Airport Group
The data protection apprenticeship delivery process
Interested in how our data apprenticeships work? We understand that you may have questions about their delivery and implementation – here’s how our apprenticeship training works:
- Pre-work and main learning: The apprentice will engage with self-directed reading, video, and interactive content, which is delivered using our online learning platform.
- Group coaching sessions: Apprentices can ask questions, discuss their learning with peers, and prepare themselves for their individual activity.
- Individual learning activity: The apprentice will work through an activity brief, building their evidence to support a portfolio and end-point assessment. This allows the apprentice to embed and contextualise their learning.
- Extended workshops: We run three day-long workshops, led by experienced data protection and information governance professionals.
- 1:1 coaching visit: Every six weeks, the Damar coach and apprentice will meet to review progress, discuss personal development, and sign off on completed modules.
- Review meeting: Every 12 weeks, the Damar coach will meet with the apprentice and their line manager to review progress.
Data protection and information governance apprenticeships take 19 months (including end-point assessment).
People of all ages and educational backgrounds can undertake DP&IGP apprenticeships, but there are some restrictions, the most important of which are:
- The employer and the training provider must ascertain that the apprenticeship will allow the individual to gain substantive new skills. The training therefore needs to be materially different from any prior qualification or previous apprenticeship.
- The apprenticeship must align with the skills needs of the apprentice’s role.
- The apprentice must be employed, usually for 30+ hours a week, and work more than 50% of their time in England.
- All apprenticeships must take at least 12 months with apprentices spending a minimum of 6 hours per week in off-the-job training. All Damar apprenticeships plan for more than the legal minimum. There is more on how we maximise the benefits of off-the-job training here: https://damartraining.com/news/2023/so-what-is-off-the-job-training/.
Our data protection and information governance apprenticeships are formed of ten carefully planned and sequenced 6-week modules that help apprentices learn and apply the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for each of the core occupational duties undertaken by data protection and information governance practitioners. This is complemented by three one-day workshops delivered by expert practitioners.
- Module 1: The UK data protection regime
- Module 2: Data and cyber-security
- Module 3: Handling data subject’s rights request
- Module 4: Data protection policies and procedures
- Module 5: Managing data protection risk
- Module 6: The Freedom of Information Act 2000
- Module 7: The Environmental Regulations 2004
- Module 8: Records management
- Module 9: Communication: influencing and persuading
- Module 10: Organisational and other skills
Act Now Training is Europe’s leading provider of information governance training, with 20 years’ experience in the sector. They support Damar Training’s data protection and information governance apprenticeships, providing technical input into learning resources and specialist group workshops throughout the programme.
Employer partners and apprentices are supported throughout the apprenticeship. The apprentice has a dedicated coach who provides 1:1 support, alongside the group coaching sessions and apprentice forums where they can engage with other appentices on the same programme. Review meetings with the apprentice, line manager and coach are held every 12 weeks.
Apprentices with additional learning needs also have the opportunity to meet with our SEND Co-ordinator, who will put together a personalised support plan.
In addition, employer partners have a business development manager/executive they can contact at any time.
All apprenticeships embed the functional use of maths and English as well as personal development topics in areas such as equality and diversity and British Values. Apprentices unable to evidence maths and English at GCSE grade 4 or above may need to take functional skills exams as part of the apprenticeship. Additional training is provided if necessary.
- A work-based project report with a presentation and questions and answers with an independent end-point assessor
- Professional discussion. A structured meeting, led by the independent end-point assessor and underpinned by a portfolio of evidence.
Apprentices may progress into the DP&IG apprenticeship standard from other apprenticeships such as Business Administrator or Paralegal. Following completion of the DP&IG apprenticeship, the most likely career progression is to a Data Protection Officer role or, in a larger organisation, to a team leader or management position.
If your annual UK wage bill is over £3 million, the cost of training can be funded via the Apprenticeship Levy. We can help you navigate your Apprenticeship Service account to access this funding.
If your annual UK wage bill is below £3 million, the government covers 95-100% of the training costs. The level of funding available is determined by the age of the apprentice. For apprentices aged up to 21, the apprenticeship is fully government-funded*. For apprentices aged 22 and over, the apprenticeship is 95% government-funded*. These new funding rules are applicable to apprentices starting from 1 April 2024.
*Please note: Some apprenticeships have accreditation costs which are not eligible for government funding
We have regular start dates throughout the year for our apprenticeships. Please get in touch for more information.
Invest in your workforce with a Damar apprenticeship
Empower your organisation with data protection expertise. The Damar approach allows you to equip motivated individuals with the practical skills they need to enhance your data security systems and build trust with clients. Here at Damar, we’ve got over 40 years of experience in apprenticeship training, which is why you can rely on us to create long-term value and support career progression routes for your organisation.
Ready to upgrade your team? If you’re interested in our apprenticeships, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. A member of our team will be more than happy to speak with you.
Data protection apprenticeship FAQs
As well as the benefits we’ve listed above, a data protection apprentice is a great long-term investment for your organisation. Apprenticeships improve staff retention and morale, and provide your organisation with the skills, knowledge, and behaviours to future-proof your workforce.
The apprentice’s training costs are covered via the apprenticeship levy for levy payers. For SMEs and non-levy payers, the government funds 95-100% of the training costs.
As an employer, you are also responsible for paying your apprentice a wage. The national minimum wage for apprentices depends on their age and the year of their apprenticeship.
We’re thrilled that you’ve taken an interest in our data protection apprenticeships, and we’d be more than happy to have you on board our apprenticeship programmes. Simply get in touch or give us a call on 0161 480 8171 – our business development team will be able to provide you with more information and outline the next steps for you.
If we haven’t answered your question above, have a read of our employer FAQs for more information.
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