Category: Apprenticeship

Apprentice Case Study – Meet Natasha

In 2022, Act Now Training teamed up with Damar to deliver the new Data Protection and Information Governance Practitioner Apprenticeship. The aim is to develop individuals into accomplished data protection and information governance practitioners with the knowledge, skills and competencies to address future IG challenges. Two years on, over 130 apprentices are currently on the programme with the first cohort about to undertake the end point assessment.

Data Protection and Information Governance Apprentice, Natasha Lock, is an integral part of the Governance and Compliance team at the University of Lincoln. With the Data Protection and Digital Information (No.2) Bill set to make changes to the UK data protection regime, Natasha talks to us about why this is a great area to work in and how the apprenticeship route has been particularly beneficial for her.

How did you get onto the apprenticeship?

“I was already working at the university as an Information Compliance Officer when the opportunity for a staff apprenticeship came up.

“The process was swift and straightforward, and I was enrolled on the Data Protection and Information Governance Apprenticeship within three months of enquiring.”

How has the apprenticeship helped you?

“I started with a good understanding of the UK Data Protection legislation but my knowledge has grown significantly, and now I’m coming to the end of my level 4 apprenticeship, I’ve gained so much more insight and my confidence has grown.

“As a university, we hold vast amounts of data. My apprenticeship is allowing me to solve the challenge of data retention and implement better measures to retain, destroy and archive information. I have developed a greater understanding of the legislative requirements we must adhere to as a public sector institute and how to reduce and assess data protection risks.

“I love the fact that I can study whilst still doing my job. The flexibility works for me because I can go through course materials at my own pace. I really feel like I have a brilliant work/life/study balance.

“The University of Lincoln and Damar Training have been fantastic in supporting me. I get along with my coach, Tracey, so well. She is very friendly and personable and has enabled my creativity to flow.

“The course is very interactive, and I’ve found the forums with other apprentices to be a very useful way of sharing knowledge, ideas and stories.

“I’m enjoying it so much and people have noticed that my confidence has grown. I wouldn’t have had that without doing this apprenticeship. I’ve now got my sights on doing a law degree or law apprenticeship in the future.”

Abi Slater, Information Compliance Manager at Lincoln University, said: “It has been great to see how much Natasha has developed over the course of the apprenticeship. I believe the apprenticeship has provided Natasha with the knowledge and skills required to advance in her data protection career and the support from her coach at Damar Training has been excellent.

“I would encourage anyone with an interest in data protection and information governance to consider this apprenticeship.”

Tracey Coetzee, Coach at Damar Training said: “The Data Protection and Information Governance Apprenticeship was only approved by the Institute of Apprenticeships in 2022, and its delightful to see apprentices flourishing on the programme.

“From cyber security to managing data protection risks, this programme is upskilling participants and adding value to both private and public sector organisations and we’re thrilled to see the first cohort, including Natasha, approach the completion of their training.”

If you are interested in the DP and IG Apprenticeship, please see our website for more details and get in touch to discuss further.

Data Protection and IG Practitioner Launch Event

On 7th September, we celebrated the launch of the new Data Protection and Information Governance Practitioner Apprenticeship. The apprenticeship, which received final approval in March, will help develop the skills of those working in the increasingly important fields of data protection and information governance.  Act Now Training has teamed up with leading apprenticeship provider, Damar Training, to provide the materials and expertise underpinning the new apprenticeship. 

The launch event, held at The Bloc in Manchester, was attended by data protection experts and learning and development leads from a wide range of public and private sector organisations across England. Attendees included members of the Trailblazer Group that designed the apprenticeship and also members of Damar’s employer reference group. The latter has been a close part of the programme design process, ensuring that the programme meets the needs of employers in this rapidly growing sector.

Attendees enjoyed talks during the event from Jonathan Bourne (Managing Director, Damar Training), Ibrahim Hasan (Director, Act Now Training) and Phillipa Nazari (Assistant Director Information Governance and Data Protection Officer, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester). Phillipa was also the chair of the Trailblazer Group.

Jonathan Bourne commented:

“The data protection apprenticeship is much needed. It helps address skills shortages in data protection but also enables organisations to improve compliance, reduce regulatory and legal risk and increase their efficiency. We are delighted to be working with so many committed employers who, like us, see the apprenticeship as one of the keys to improved capability in data protection and information governance.”

Ibrahim Hasan added:

“We are excited to be working with Damar Training on this much needed apprenticeship. It will develop the information governance profession by encouraging a diverse range of new information governance professionals with the knowledge and skills to enable them to tackle the data protection challenges ahead.”

Phillipa commented:

“It has been a great honour to give something back to the profession that will leave a lasting legacy for employers. Each individual and organisation that benefits from the apprenticeship will be ensuring that a fundamental human right is upheld and organisations can derive value and insight from their data and information in the appropriate, legal and ethical way. I hope that the apprenticeship will open up opportunities for a rich and varied career and be accessible for an even more diverse pool of talent. It’s been needed for a long time and now the future looks bright.” 

The apprenticeship is available to employers across England. The first cohort of apprentices on this exciting and innovative new programme will start in October. 

If your organisation is interested in the apprenticeship please get in touch with us to discuss further. 

Have you Considered an Apprentice?

Act Now Training has teamed up with Damar Training on materials and expertise underpinning its new Data Protection and Information Governance Practitioner Level 4 Apprenticeship.


The apprenticeship will help develop the skills of those working in the increasingly important fields of data protection and information governance.

With the rapid advancement of technology, there is a huge amount of personal data being processed by organisations, which is the subject of important decisions affecting every aspect of people’s lives. This poses significant legal and ethical challenges, as well as the risk of incurring considerable fines from regulators for non compliance.

This apprenticeship aims to develop individuals into accomplished data protection and information governance practitioners with the knowledge, skills and competencies to address these challenges.

If you know someone who you think would benefit from doing an apprenticeship in DP and IG, then this may be the perfect solution for them.
Places are limited for each cohort. Cohorts start in September, January and May.

Further details can be found at https://www.actnow.org.uk/apprenticeship