Data Engineering

Level 5 · 100% Funded · No cost to you

Build the data and AI systems organisations run on.

A £19,000 Level 5 programme — fully funded through the Growth & Skills Levy. No cost to you, no career break. Over 15 months you'll design data architectures, build production-grade pipelines, and operate the infrastructure that powers analytics and AI workloads. SQL, Python, Google Cloud, Apache Airflow, and Terraform — applied to real systems, not sandbox exercises.

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4.8 / 5

900+ learners trained

Trusted by teams at

Why this matters now

→Every AI product runs on pipelines someone built.
→AI workloads have changed what data infrastructure looks like.
→Qualified data engineers are scarce. Level 5 sets you apart.

AI gets headlines. Engineers build the thing. This puts you inside.

What you'll learn

Design data systems that scale with your organisation.
Data modelling, normalisation, governance, and AI-readiness from day one. The architectural thinking that prevents the tech-debt spaghetti everyone else inherits — including understanding how decisions you make in week one shape what's possible in year three.
Build the storage layer that powers everything else.
SQL, NoSQL, lakehouse architectures, version control for data, and CI/CD for pipelines. Design and implement storage that holds up under real workloads — including the patterns AI products depend on.
Ship pipelines that feed analytics, products and AI.
ETL/ELT across batch, streaming and API flows. Orchestration with Airflow, error handling, monitoring — pipelines that run reliably overnight and keep running when something upstream changes.
Keep production systems running — even when things break.
Observability, incident response, performance optimisation, on-call discipline. What senior engineers do at 3am — including debugging AI-augmented pipelines where the failure mode isn't always in your code.
Build the governance layer engineers can't afford to skip.
GDPR in practice, access control, secrets management, secure-by-design architecture. Data lineage for ML training, bias mitigation in feature engineering, and the audit trails AI workloads now require.
Prove your capability through a real project.
No exams — a production-grade pipeline solving a real workplace problem. Defend your architecture in professional discussion and step forward as a certified Level 5 engineer.

You'll work with

SQL

Python

Google Cloud

Apache Airflow

Terraform

Awarded by

NCFE

Is this for you?

You'll recognise yourself if:

→You work in data, IT or software — and want to build what others depend on
→You want to engineer AI-ready infrastructure, not just consume AI tools
→You want a Level 5 qualification, not a weekend certificate

How it works

2 hrs

Live coaching

A fixed weekly session with your expert coach and a small, friendly cohort. Scenarios, debate, direct feedback.

2 hrs

Self-paced learning

Modules and exercises you work through during your working week. Structured, on-demand, and built to fit around your role.

2 hrs

Coach-supported project work

Design, build and ship a production-grade pipeline — solving a real problem with your organisation's actual data.

6 hrs / week

That's the whole ask.

What you get for your time

Worth £19,000. You pay £0. Funded through the Growth & Skills Levy your employer already pays into. We handle all the paperwork.
Coaches from industry, not lecturers. Your coach has built and operated production data systems in real organisations. Candid feedback and practical guidance, not hype.
A Level 5 qualification from the Department for Education. Goes on your CV and LinkedIn permanently.
We help you get your employer on board. Most managers say yes immediately once they see it's fully funded and produces real deliverables.
Hands-on practice on Prism. Our 500M+ row simulation platform, modelled on real organisational data. The closest thing to working with live data without the risk.

Your coaches

Industry professionals, not lecturers. They've done the job you want to do.

Izzy Weber

Head Coach

DataCamp and PwC. Knows what employers actually look for.

Tash Joslin

Data Coach

20+ years in data strategy. Co-founded Mojo.

Jen Godlonton

Head of Curriculum

Previously Black Swan Data. Heads curriculum at iO-Sphere.

Jonas Torres

Head Part-time Coach

Real-world data expertise from Truv.

Abdul Mafe

Data & AI Coach

Enterprise data governance at Three Network.

Martin Stanley

Data Analytics Coach

Data analytics leadership across consulting, retail and telco (BT Group).

Andrew Lane

Data & AI Coach

Governance and AI ethics. Trained as a lawyer.

It's been a well-rounded learning experience. Early in the programme I realised technical skills are only part of what organisations need. Business understanding, creating impact, and strong soft skills are just as essential — and iO-Sphere's training is geared towards exactly that.
Akintunde Seriki — Data Engineering graduate

What our learners say

4.8 / 5on Google

“I'm in HR so I went in thinking most of it wouldn't apply to me, but I ended up automating parts of our HR process and building a system that flags people ready for promotion. Would definitely recommend if you're in a non-technical role.”

Steph

trustpilot

“A great balance between technical capability and real-world application. What really sets iO-Sphere apart is the emphasis on communication and storytelling — a critical skill in any data role.”

Sheena Shah

google

“The combination of technical training and soft skills development has been incredibly valuable, and it played a huge role in helping me secure my dream job.”

Carlos Gomes

google

“What stood out most was how practical it was. Rather than just learning theory, I worked on realistic business problems using large datasets. Really valuable experience.”

Keni Duguma

google

“We enrolled two of our analysts and both came back more capable and more confident. The programme paid for itself inside a quarter. We're already planning to put a third person through.”

Sarah Holt

L&D Manager

“A well-structured, thoughtful programme with a strong emphasis on practical skills. The curriculum is clearly designed by people who understand how data is actually used.”

Kemal Yusuf

google

“It was a very detailed programme. We covered data dictionaries, data governance, business drivers, OKRs, KPIs, customer segmentation, and A/B testing. All the coaches were amazing!”

Gloria Ayoola

google

“This course has been extremely great. It has taken me from no skills in data to being a fully fledged data analyst.”

Stacey Carroll

google

“Honestly, iO-Sphere was one of the best decisions I've made. I came in nervous from a non-traditional background, but I never once felt like I didn't belong.”

Ioana Mihaescu

google

“I started as someone quite lost in my job hunt. With the help of the coaches, I managed to secure a new role and feel much more confident from an upskilling and employability perspective.”

Mahli

google

“It improved my technical skills from nothing to being adept at Excel, SQL, and Power BI. I would definitely recommend this to anyone trying to upskill.”

Lachlan Brown

google

“A transformative intense experience. Great team and great training that prepares you for the work environment.”

A S

google

“I joined because I wanted proper certification to validate the skills I'd already built — not to pivot careers, but to formalise and level up what I was doing in data. And it delivered exactly that.”

Chris Thomas

google

Claim your funded place — it takes two minutes

Take the first step — it takes two minutes. We'll be in touch within one working day with a 15-minute call to answer your questions, check the fit, and help you get your employer on board. No pressure, no pitch.

FAQs

How much does it cost me?+

Nothing. This is a fully funded programme delivered through the Growth & Skills Levy — a contribution your employer already makes. If your employer has a payroll under £3 million, the government covers 95% and your employer contributes the remaining 5%. Either way, nothing comes out of your pocket.

How much of my time does it take?+

Six hours a week during your working hours — your employer releases the time. Two hours of live coaching, two hours of self-paced learning, two hours of coach-supported project work. No evenings, no weekends.

Can I apply?+

If you're employed in England, aged 19+, and have the right to work in the UK, you're likely eligible. Some experience working with data — SQL fundamentals or similar — helps, but you don't need to be an engineer already; we work with analysts, BI developers, and similar roles moving into engineering. No degree required. We'll confirm in your 15-minute call.

When can I start?+

The next cohort starts 25 May 2026. Apply now to secure your place — we'll help you get your employer on board before the start date.

What if my employer says no?+

Most say yes once they understand it's fully funded, fits around your job, and produces real work output they can see. We'll give you everything you need for the conversation — and we're happy to speak to your manager directly.