Level 4 Data Protection and Information Governance Apprenticeships
Damar Training’s level 4 data protection apprenticeship 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.
Our redesigned programme is launching in May – find out more below.
Benefits of data protection apprenticeships
Data protection and information governance apprenticeships are a brilliant investment for any organisation in the public or private sector. 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.
Read more on our employer testimonials page.
The Damar Difference
As England’s largest provider of the data protection apprenticeship, we are delighted to have worked with many leading organisations on this programme. Key features include:
- Our awards: We were proud to be finalists in the IMRS awards in 2023, and a finalist for the AELP and FE Week’s 2025 Apprenticeship and Training Awards
- Our people: Our team is 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
- Our partners: Act Now provide technical input into learning resources and group workshops, whilst Northern Information Governance Forum provide Damar apprentices with access to membership, events and resources.
- 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.
Our employer partners on this programme include:
“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
Here’s how our data protection and information governance apprenticeship training will work for apprentices starting in May 2026 onwards:
- Individual learning activity: The apprentice works through the interactive resources provided on our bespoke platform, Damar OpenLearning
- Extended workshops: We run three specialist workshops, led by experienced data protection and information governance professionals
- Group coaching session: The group coaching session during module 5 supports apprentices with preparation for their apprenticeship assessment
- 1:1 coaching visits: Every module, the Damar coach and apprentice meet to review progress, discuss personal development and sign off completed modules
- Review meeting: Every 12 weeks, the Damar coach meets with the apprentice and their supervisor/line manager to review progress.
Data protection and information governance apprenticeships take 14-18 months.
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 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.
Our data protection and information governance apprenticeships are formed of carefully planned and sequenced 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:
- Set for success (Weeks 1-12): Establishing regulatory landscape and organisational context
- Rules and requests (Weeks 13-24): Fundamental rights and information requests
- Ways to work (Weeks 25-36): Risk assessment, investigation skills and governance
- Driven by data (Weeks 37-48): Emerging technologies and privacy by design
- Supporting stakeholders (Weeks 49-56): Communication and training delivery skills
- Fit for the future (Weeks 57-64): Continuous improvement and horizon scanning.
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 the specialist workshops throughout the programme.
Employer partners and apprentices are supported throughout the data protection 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 data protection and information governance 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 also undertake a bespoke introduction to AI in the workplace course on how AI can support apprentices in their role and the challenges they could face.
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.
In addition, apprentices will deliver six behaviour showcases to their employer throughout the apprenticeship to demonstrate what they have learned and how they are applying it in the workplace. The showcases can take the form of a presentation, team briefing, demonstration or training session.
Following completion of the 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.
We have regular start dates throughout the year for our data protection apprenticeships. Please see our schedule page 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.
Ready to grow 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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