Wednesday, 16 October 2024
Luca Smith from Experian, a Data Science Degree Apprentice at the University of Nottingham, took home the Technology and Digital Apprentice of the Year Award at the Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards 2024.
They are now embarking on their third year on the Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship programme at the University of Nottingham and they were recognised with the award for their impressive apprenticeship journey. Having started at the university with no experience in coding to now being proficient in several languages, Luca was nominated for their impressive growth and determination.
Luca has played an instrumental role in implementing modern coding practices and cloud-based tools, and their innovative solutions have brought significant benefits to Experian. They are improving team practices within Experian and are dedicated to sharing knowledge which is made evident through their roles as an Early Careers Ambassador and their support for new apprentices. Luca’s exceptional performance has earned them multiple awards and recognition, and they aspire to further their career in AI and leadership roles within Experian.
I am deeply honoured to receive this award, and it is testament to the incredible support around me. Embarking on an apprenticeship has been one of the best decisions I have made. It has allowed me to grow personally and professionally, meet exceptional people, and widen my career aspirations. I am thrilled to be part of raising awareness for the impact and importance of apprenticeships across the country.
Our Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship combines a research-led education with practical work experience, supporting apprentices to make a real-world impact just like Luca. It attracted more apprentices than any other provider in the East Midlands reported so far in 2023/4* and is designed to equip organisations with the skills needed to harness the power of big data.
The Data Science Degree Apprenticeship delivered by The University of Nottingham is a fantastic way to help Experian continue to invest and build a pipeline of talent for our future. We are incredibly proud of Luca and all they have achieved through their apprenticeship. Their dedication to their studies and to their role here at Experian is truly inspiring.
At the university, we’re delighted that Luca has been recognised for this award, it is a testament to their dedication and our collaboration with Experian throughout the apprenticeship process. It’s a fantastic example of how we work closely with employers to support apprentices across the university from employer engagement to operations to the programme team.
We spoke to Dr Ria Symonds, Programme Director, about Luca’s achievement and she said:
I'm absolutely delighted that Luca has won Technology and Digital Apprentice of the Year! Their work on programme is exceptional and it's been a pleasure to see them grow over the course of the Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship. I'm excited to see what comes next in their journey!
It’s a proud moment for Luca, Experian and the university and we’re excited to see how Luca’s journey continues on their degree apprenticeship!
*As per the 2023/34 academic year. Individualised Learner Records (ILR) data published by ESFA YTD 2023/24.
Watch Luca talk about her recent achievement on Notts TV.