Grasping the Data Opportunity with Both Hands
"If you get the opportunity to do the data programme, you shouldn't even blink. You shouldn't even think about it. It should just be an immediate yes..."
"My husband went to Imperial College London. I told him the opportunity I've been presented with, and his response was: “If you don't take up the opportunity, I will divorce you.” So that was the end of that conversation. So I did, and I was terrified.
But actually, I threw myself into it wholeheartedly. And I think that's my advice to anyone who wants to take on the apprenticeship is just hold it with both hands and take everything you can from it because it is an opportunity so many people would absolutely love to have, and if you are given it, just take it and learn from it because you're only going to upskill yourself. You're only going to improve yourself."
For Michaela Ingram, a member of the People team at Hiscox, the decision to join the Corndel data programme was initially anxiety-inducing. Still, since starting in May, she’s actively applied her learning to enhance her work in HR and found it practical and immediately applicable:
“When my boss first asked me if I wanted to do the data programme with Corndel, I was a bit taken aback and didn't really know what to expect. After considering it, I decided to go for it because it sounded interesting, and we’re moving into a much more data-driven world.
Since I started in May, I've been using what I'm learning all the time. It makes things so accessible from a data perspective. I use data all the time. You wouldn't necessarily think of the people team as using data a lot, but I do. We analyse our workforce, why people leave, etc., and I apply the skills I've gained, consistently improving through the course alone."
But actually, I threw myself into it wholeheartedly. And I think that's my advice to anyone who wants to take on the apprenticeship is just hold it with both hands and take everything you can from it because it is an opportunity so many people would absolutely love to have, and if you are given it, just take it and learn from it because you're only going to upskill yourself. You're only going to improve yourself."
Michaela's journey shows that apprenticeships are not just about theoretical learning, but also about finding opportunities for practical application within the workplace.
For example, the programme helped her have the confidence to generate insightful reports and dashboards using Power BI. She now regularly collaborates with senior stakeholders, presenting data-driven findings to help drive organisational decisions.
"The programme helped me to create Power BI reports for senior colleagues. The feedback I received was amazing... Colleagues from different teams now ask me, 'Could you show us how to do that? It would be really useful.' Suddenly, I have these valuable skills, all because of the Power BI module, and it’s been so enlightening."
“I think it has built my confidence up, to be honest. I don't have any concerns or inhibitions now when someone asks me for information that requires data analysis. I'm very confident in providing my answer.
If you had asked me when I first joined the People team to confidently tell you what I had worked out from the data, I would have been very hesitant because I wasn't sure. But now, I think, "Well, I know I've manipulated the data correctly. Unless the data is wrong, my answer is correct."
So, I'm very confident in giving that information, and I'm very comfortable discussing it. I'm happy to pass on my knowledge, and I think it has probably given me a bit more confidence." Michaela was also apprehensive about starting the programme because of some health issues, specifically related to her short-term memory. She initially wondered if her condition might hinder her ability to succeed in the programme. However, Corndel provided the support and accommodations she needed to overcome her worries:
"I have a health condition that affects my short-term memory, but my long-term memory is fine. I had concerns about my ability to learn and retain information, especially for the endpoint assessment.
However, I was open about my challenges with my PDE and other team members in Corndel. They arranged for a learning assessment, which suggested I would be okay with some adjustments like longer study periods or breaks during assessments. Despite my worries, they have been incredibly supportive, assuring me that they'll make it work for me."
A pathway to lifelong learning
“Learning as an adult, something that you've chosen to do, is an incredibly fulfilling thing. So I'd say don't worry about the time it takes because you'll find the time if you're enjoying it, and you will because it's so accessible and nicely done in really suitable chunks."
In addition to professional development, Michaela recognised that her apprenticeship could impact her career progression. The knowledge and skills she gained made her a valuable asset to Hiscox, potentially opening doors to new roles within the company and giving her the opportunity to work with senior stakeholders:
“To cut a long story short, I found myself in discussions with our CFO regarding costs and budgets. Fast forward, and now I have monthly meetings with him, where I provide updates through an Excel dashboard comparing costs to budgets. I work alongside the finance business partner and the CFO, and it's just the three of us in that monthly meeting.
Despite my relatively junior role, I find myself sitting in a room with one of the company's most influential figures, confidently presenting my findings. With each month, my nervousness has diminished, and this exposure to senior stakeholders is an incredible advantage that stems directly from this course.”
Although she has no plans to leave Hiscox, her increased confidence and expertise have made her more attractive to potential employers, providing her with a sense of job security and enhanced career opportunities.
In recent years, the Apprenticeship Levy has become a powerful way for HR and L&D teams to invest in developing their people – particularly in areas like data. At Hiscox, Jason Bell has been leading the way in making sure its full potential is realised.
For Jason, the decision to launch an apprenticeship programme was about creating a richer, more impactful development experience for employees. By using the Levy strategically, Hiscox is strengthening its approach to learning and development and building the skills the business needs for the future.
Looking back, Jason recognises there was untapped value in how the Levy had been used – and an opportunity to shift perceptions internally:
"The apprenticeship levy probably hasn't been utilised to the best of its ability within Hiscox historically, so there is definitely a gap and an opportunity there for us to change that and change the perception of apprenticeships within the business."
One of the driving forces behind Hiscox's decision to implement the apprenticeship programme was the importance of data literacy. In today's data-driven business landscape, having employees with strong data skills is crucial. The company saw the apprenticeship programme as a way to equip its workforce with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed to leverage data effectively.
“Hiscox most definitely has a heightened focus on data skills right now and over the next few years. We need to understand - how do we own data? How do we consistently utilise and work with data? How do we tell a story with data? How do we ensure we’ve got really great data governance.? All these things are incredibly important to most businesses. But for us at Hiscox, there's certainly a heightened focus on imparting that knowledge with our people and increasing people's skills and experience in that area.”
Jason Bell said: "We've had some really good feedback come through from employees and line managers. For example, people talking about their use of Power BI, how they’ve been able to use it in their workplace to tell stories with the data and really build on their existing data sheets and spreadsheets. We have people talking about their opportunities to learn around Excel and using pivot tables to help support the usage of data. It's all really good stuff, it's really positive.”
Success without the wait
We’ve partnered with over 400 enterprise organisations, and tens of thousands of people within them. Here’s just a snapshot of their stories, showing what’s possible when you give people everything they need to thrive.
