Apprenticeships (FOI231192)

This Freedom of Information request asks for details about our apprenticeship and training strategy

Request for information - Ref no: FOI231192

December 15, 2023

Information request

We received your request on 12 October 2023.

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000.

A copy of your request is set out in the extract below:

“In line with the Freedom of Information Act, I was hoping you would be able to answer the following questions I have in relation to Ordnance Survey’s apprenticeship and training strategy:

Is Ordnance Survey currently utilising either government funding or their Apprenticeship Levy to support apprentices?
Do you currently have a training programme in place?
If you do utilise the apprenticeship pathway, what qualifications do you typically look to implement?
Who at Ordnance Survey is responsible for onboarding new apprentices and could you please provide me their contact details?"

Our response

We do not consider you request to be a valid request for recorded information under section 8 of the FOIA, since you are asking for an explanation of how apprenticeship schemes are carried out at OS rather than a request for information held in a recorded form. However, under the duty to provide information and assistance in accordance with section 16 of FOIA, we can provide the following information which may assist you in this matter:

1. Is Ordnance Survey currently utilising either government funding or their Apprenticeship Levy to support apprentices?

I confirm that OS is using the Apprenticeship Levy to support apprentices.

2. Do you currently have a training programme in place?

OS do not have a training programme in place internally.

OS apprentices are enrolled on apprenticeship programmes delivered by external training providers, colleges and universities. This is on an ad-hoc basis to ensure our colleagues have the key knowledge, behaviours and competencies to excel in their role and careers. We do utilise the levy to support a Data Training Programme and other targeted cohorts.

3. If you do utilise the apprenticeship pathway, what qualifications do you typically look to implement?

OS utilise the levy with varying qualifications from level 3 to level 7. Most employees on programmes are completing the following:

Data Analyst Level 4

Coaching Professional Level 5

Senior Leader Level 7

We also have employees who have successfully completed apprenticeships in business administration, marketing, HR and finance.

4. Who at Ordnance Survey is responsible for onboarding new apprentices and could you please provide me their contact details?

Our Talent and Resourcing team support the business when looking to hire new joiners in apprenticeship roles. George Mattack (Learning Partner) heads up our apprenticeship offer overall.

You can contact OS using the contact details on our website Contact us | Ordnance Survey

You may also find the information on our website about careers helpful Careers | Ordnance Survey

Next steps

Internal review

Your enquiry has been processed according to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000. If you are unhappy with our response, you may request an internal review with our Internal Review Officer by contacting them, within two months of receipt of our final response to your Freedom of Information (FOI) request, as follows:

Internal Review Officer
Customer Service Centre
Ordnance Survey
Adanac Drive
Southampton
SO16 0AS

Please include the reference number above. You may request an internal review where you believe Ordnance Survey has:

Failed to respond to your request within the time limits (normally 20 working days)
Failed to tell you whether or not we hold the information
Failed to provide the information you have requested
Failed to explain the reasons for refusing a request
Failed to correctly apply an exemption or exception

The Internal Review Officer will not have been involved in the original decision. They will conduct an independent internal review and will inform you of the outcome of the review normally within 20 working days, but exceptionally within 40 working days, in line with the Information Commissioner’s guidance.

The Internal Review Officer will either: uphold the original decision, provide an additional explanation of the exemption/s applied or release further information, if it is considered appropriate to do so.

Appeal to Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

If, following the outcome of the internal review you remain unhappy with our response, you may raise an appeal, within three months of receiving our response, with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). You should make complaints to the ICO within six weeks of receiving the outcome of an internal review.

Visit the ICO website to report a concern.

Call the ICO helpline on 0303 123 1113.

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