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Case Study

The Belfast Data Analytics Academy in Partnership with Citi

The Belfast Data Analytics Academy

In January 2025, The Belfast Data Analytics Academy was launched, an innovative apprenticeship programme delivered by Belfast Metropolitan College in partnership with Citi and fully funded by the Department for the Economy.

This month, Belfast Met have welcomed 25 Citi employees through the doors of their Titanic Quarter campus to begin this 18-month programme, which has been designed to offer Citi employees flexible learning and professional data qualifications while they continue their day jobs.

At the conclusion of this programme, the apprentices will emerge with an OCR Technical Diploma in IT and a Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Professional Competence in IT. These qualifications are key enablers of career progressions, helping the apprentices gain the confidence and competence to advance in the rapidly growing field of data analytics.

Given the huge demand, Citi are introducing a second cohort beginning in May 2025, making it possible for more employees to join the academy and develop the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly data-centric world.

At Citi, apprenticeships play a vital role in both attracting new members of staff and upskilling their current teams in order to retain and invest in the future of their employees.

๐‰๐จ๐ฌ๐ก ๐†๐š๐ฆ๐›๐ฅ๐ž, ๐ƒ๐ข๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐š๐ง๐ ๐€๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ซ๐ž๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐œ๐ž๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐š๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ž ๐Œ๐š๐ง๐š๐ ๐ž๐ซ ๐š๐ญ ๐‚๐ข๐ญ๐ข, ๐ž๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ก๐š๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ๐ž๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ก๐ฒ ๐š๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ซ๐ž๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐œ๐ž๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ๐ฌ ๐š๐ซ๐ž ๐š๐ง ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐š๐ง๐ญ ๐ฉ๐š๐ญ๐ก๐ฐ๐š๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐ ๐ฅ๐จ๐›๐š๐ฅ ๐ž๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฒ๐ž๐ซ: "Apprenticeships play a crucial role at Citi by attracting, retaining, and upskilling our employees across various business areas. We are proud to be offering a range of apprenticeship programmes at Citi which includes the Belfast Data Analytics Academy. In partnership with Belfast Metropolitan College, the programme is driving the development of our data talent at Citi.โ€

๐†๐ซ๐š๐ž๐ฆ๐ž ๐‚๐ซ๐š๐Ÿ๐ญ, ๐•๐ข๐œ๐ž ๐๐ซ๐ž๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ž๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐‚๐ข๐ญ๐ข, ๐ฌ๐š๐ฒ๐ฌ: โ€œThe future of the Belfast Data Analytics Academy is bright, and as we continue to grow and evolve, we look forward to helping more of our employees unlock their potential and contribute to Citiโ€™s success.โ€  

๐๐ž๐ฅ๐Ÿ๐š๐ฌ๐ญ ๐Œ๐ž๐ญโ€™๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐ž๐ซ๐ข๐ฆ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐œ๐ข๐ฉ๐š๐ฅ ๐š๐ง๐ ๐‚๐ก๐ข๐ž๐Ÿ ๐„๐ฑ๐ž๐œ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ž, ๐ƒ๐š๐ฆ๐ข๐š๐ง ๐ƒ๐ฎ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ๐ฒ, ๐ฌ๐š๐ข๐: โ€œThe Belfast Data Analytics Academy is the latest initiative in the ongoing, highly successful collaboration between Belfast Met and Citi. 

โ€œEngaging with employers and working with them in planning and delivering effective skills solutions is a cornerstone of what we do as a college. Citiโ€™s commitment to investing in the skills of its own employees is to be commended and we are delighted to welcome the first set of participants to this innovative apprenticeship programme.โ€ 

Read the stories of some members of the first cohort and discover why they have decided to get involved in the apprenticeship pathway.

Michaela Rodgers
Job Title: Counterparty Credit Risk Data Product Developer

Why did you choose to study an Apprenticeship?

โ€œI have always had an inquisitive nature. I enjoy problem solving, but prior to joining the course I have had to rely on just intuition and excel to help with that. When the chance to join the apprenticeship programme arose, I saw this as a perfect opportunity to upgrade my data analytics toolkit.

โ€œAs a Counterparty Credit Risk Data Product Developer, I am involved in working on long-term strategic transformation projects. I engage with cross-functional stakeholders to design, create and deliver new products that improve our ability to measure and manage Counterparty Credit Risk.

โ€œThe apprenticeship will equip me with new skills to help me leverage the full potential of the data available to me. It will help me to deliver actionable insights, and to improve data completeness, consistency, timeliness and accuracy.โ€

What do you think are the benefits of studying an Apprenticeship?

โ€œAs a busy mum with three small children, the format of the apprenticeship programme is ideal. I can gain new skills and dedicate time to personal and professional development without sacrificing work-life balance.

โ€œI love that I can relate my new-found knowledge back to what I do in my day-to-day role. I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in mastering new skills and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone.

โ€œThe learning support offered by the staff at Belfast Met is amazing! The materials are accessible and there is always help at hand. The fact that Citi is supporting my growth and development makes me feel valued as an employee. Earning industry recognised qualifications along the way is an added bonus!"

What would you say to someone thinking of studying an Apprenticeship?

โ€œThere is so much to gain from studying an apprenticeship. Enrolling on one of the many programmes available gives you the ability to earn while you learn and to invest in your future. Donโ€™t let doubts hold you back. Go for it!โ€

Ethan Rocks
Job Title: VP - Automation Lead, Markets Shared Controls Group

Why did you choose to study an Apprenticeship?

"As someone who works in a role largely focused on data, this apprenticeship was a great opportunity to develop and learn relevant skills that I will be able to implement in my day-to-day work. I have also enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate and build relationships with colleagues that work in different areas of Citi."
 
What do you think are the benefits of studying an Apprenticeship?

"Having a day a week set aside for the apprenticeship allows you to maintain a healthy work-life balance. This structure allows time to focus on learning whilst also maintaining the responsibilities of a full-time job and life outside of work."
 
What would you say to someone thinking of studying an Apprenticeship?

"If it aligns with your current role or a career path that you're interested in - go for it. It's a fantastic opportunity to gain recognised qualifications, collaborate with like-minded individuals and learn from experienced professionals."

Lauren Kane
Job Title: KYC Operations Analyst

Why did you choose to study an Apprenticeship?

โ€œI have always had an interest in technology, however having very minimal experience I was unsure of how to explore this career path further.

โ€œKnowing just how much Citi value career development within their employees, when I saw this opportunity arise, I jumped at the chance to apply. I knew this would be a great way to develop myself in my current role as well as gain skills for the future.โ€

What do you think are the benefits of studying an apprenticeship?

โ€œThe benefits of an apprenticeship are vast, the ability to learn new skills every day and meet new people has been a highlight for me. 

โ€œIt is extremely rewarding overall especially considering that at the end of it you get qualifications whilst having been working your full-time job, the fact that you get to earn and learn at the same time is a huge benefit. Itโ€™s a great way to develop yourself and further your career whatever it may be.โ€

What would you say to someone thinking of studying an apprenticeship?

โ€œIโ€™d tell them to go for it, especially since itโ€™s a great way to get your foot in the door. It may seem like a huge commitment at first, but the support received from the lecturers and managers is second to none. You really can succeed in your day-to-day role as well as gaining new skills and qualifications! I couldnโ€™t recommend it more.โ€

 

Are you interested in the Apprenticeship pathway? At Belfast Met, we offer a range of apprenticeships and traineeships across a number of subject areas.

To find out more about our Apprenticeships and Traineeships, click HERE.


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