Software Developer - Data Processing and Scripting Apprentice ( Operations)

  • Company: Basis
  • Location: London, W1T 1UH
  • Type: Apprenticeship
  • Salary: £21,000.00 per year
  • Sector: Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
  • Ref: VAC-00034
  • Application Deadline Date: 30/06/2022
  • Start Date: 03/10/2022
  • Positions Available: 1
  • Working Week: Monday - Friday

Brief Description

As an apprentice, you’ll spend 20% of your time at Ada, the National College for
Digital Skills and 80% at Basis (London). All the content covered at the college and
the work experience will contribute towards a three-year foundation level 6 degree
in Digital and Technology Solutions (Software Developer pathway).

Qualifications Required

GCSE Maths and English Grades A-D or 9- 4 or equivalent
3 x A Levels in any subject area or equivalent
BTEC Level 3 or NVQ Level 3

Personal Qualities

A pragmatic thinker – You also need the ability to understand the limitations of the
software/coding available, weigh up pros and cons based on specifications, and
find the best solution when there is no perfect solution.
A self-starter – To really succeed in this role, you will be someone who actively
challenges the status quo, but always seeks to offer solutions rather than just
highlighting problems.
Considerate and friendly – We have a lovely team at Basis, and we’re looking for
someone who is happy to work closely with others in a collaborative way, who isn’t
afraid of asking questions or asking for help and is equally eager to help others whenever they can

Skills Required

What we are looking for
Enthusiastic and proactive with great communication skills – You will come to be a
go-to person within the company for data processing and scripting questions.
Having a cheerful disposition and enjoying helping your team and the wider
company will give you an advantage here.
A high level of accuracy and attention to detail – Our surveys go out to thousands
of respondents and we need to ensure that all potential issues are caught before
this happens. Additionally, our Data Processing outputs are delivered to clients and
we want to ensure we continue producing the excellent quality work we’re known
for at Basis. You’ll need a good eye for detail!
An interest in working with code – You’ll be working with code daily and would
hopefully find the thought of this exciting!
Logical thinker with a love for problem solving – Often there are many different
ways to go about solving a problem. You should enjoy finding the most efficient
way to do something and get satisfaction from working through problems to come
up with great solutions.

Training to be Provided

Our Level 6 standard is integrated with a degree in Digital & Technology solutions which is validated by the Open University. Each cohort spends their first 6 weeks at college taking part in our Launchpad training.

This training not only covers modules for the degree programme but also ensures to prepare you for the workplace. Following the Launchpad training you will return to your employer for 7-8 weeks returning to Ada for one-week blocks on a rotation basis.

Future Prospects

If successful - a permanent position maybe on offer

Vacancy Detail

Data Processing and Scripting

Apprentice
(operations)

Basis – Who we are
We are a multi award winning research agency with diverse and varied work which
genuinely makes a difference to our clients and society. We are a young,
independent company that values our team really highly. We have an active social
calendar, run charitable initiatives, and offer a wide-ranging training programme –
so you can develop and grow in this friendly and stimulating environment.

The Apprenticeship
As an apprentice, you’ll spend 20% of your time at Ada, the National College for
Digital Skills and 80% at Basis (London). All the content covered at the college and
the work experience will contribute towards a three-year foundation level 6 degree
in Digital and Technology Solutions (Software Developer pathway).

More information on the programme itself can be found here:

https://www.ada.ac.uk/apprenticeships/opportunities/software-developer-
apprenticeship

The focus of the first year will be gaining a strong foundation in scripting and data
processing training, and starting to run your own projects.

In the second year, you’ll expand your skills and knowledge into independently
running standard ad hoc and tracker projects.

By the end of the third year, you’ll be a go to member of the team, running more
complex projects and writing code to improve efficiencies within the team.

The Role: Overview
As an apprentice at Basis you’ll be able to play a key part on projects, making a
tangible difference in this varied and rewarding role. The position primarily
encompasses scripting online surveys, preparing and processing data for
tabulation, and producing data files for analysis, but there will also be the
opportunity to work on automated reporting systems and applications. You’ll also
be working closely with our Research Executives and Project Managers over the
course of each project.

The work you’ll undertake will be comprised of two main requirements: Scripting
and Data Processing.

The Role: Scripting
You’ll be programming engaging, mobile-friendly surveys using the Decipher
platform
Work on client projects as and when needed:
• Editing XML and integrating Python, HTML, CSS and Javascript for additional
survey functionality
• Creating quota dashboards for monitoring fieldwork
• Sending out invites, efficiently using link parameters to interact with the survey
• Liaising with Project Managers and Research Execs to ensure specifications are
met by providing advice and proposing ideas and solutions to improve survey
efficiency
• Thoroughly testing survey links before delivery to catch potential issues
• Launching surveys, downloading data and running toplines for checking

The Role: Data Processing
You’ll be using a market research specific scripting language called Merlin to clean,
manipulate and prepare data into deliverable formats (Excel tables, Q, SPSS) based
on specifications provided
• Extracting, cleaning data and applying weighting via a fully written Merlin script
per specifications
• Analysing table specification documents for validity, logic and consistency
• Using advanced Excel formulas to thoroughly check your outputs
• Progression to writing VBA macros to improve both your own checking
efficiency and processes within the team

Other Information

Application details

Should you wish to apply for this role we’d like to you submit a covering letter to
accompany your CV on why you would be great for this role.
Please note applications without a cover letter won’t be considered.

We are also happy to have an initial 30-minute conversation around what you can expect in the interview, to help you prepare. Please email fiona.watt@basisresearch.co.uk if this is something you’d like.

Basis Research is committed to ensuring its employees are treated fairly regardless of
race, gender, ability, religion, sexual orientation or age.

We therefore ask if along with your CV you could please complete the following equal opportunities form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdwEjhiNrvM1OqQ4Oz7bs0wuApplication details (or copy and paste)

The information you give on this form will help us comply with our policy of ensuring
equality. You do not have to complete all of this form (or any of it if you don’t want to)
but it will help us on our mission to ensure that we are a diverse, representative, and fair
workplace.

All information collected around equality and diversity will be treated confidentially in
accordance with the Data Protection Act. Access to this information will be restricted to
staff involved in the processing and monitoring of this data. It will be used to provide
statistical information only.

This apprenticeship has expired