This National Apprenticeship Week, we caught up with our 3rd year Data Science apprentice, Jacob Knight, to hear about his apprenticeship journey so far, his passion for technology, and his hopeful dream of seeing his beloved Gunners lift some silverware this season. Here’s what Jacob had to say:
Tell us about yourself
I’d describe myself as a big sports fan — mainly football, supporting Arsenal, and NFL, cheering on the Carolina Panthers. I’m also really into computers and gaming – currently playing Battlefield on my gaming PC which I built from scratch.
Tell us about your current apprenticeship – what course are you studying and why did you choose it?
I started my apprenticeship at MASS in September 2023, studying Data Science at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge. My first knowledge of data science as a potential career path only came during my 6th form year at Longsands Academy. I already knew about MASS from a couple of years earlier, when Jack Stark (CIO at MASS) visited our computing classes to deliver a few sessions.
How are you finding your apprenticeship at MASS?
I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship so far. It’s been an eye-opener in terms of the projects I’ve had the chance to work on. I’ve loved the challenge too — especially learning new programming languages like Python and exploring new technologies and tools for analysing complex data and systems.
MASS has deep expertise in Electronic Warfare (EW), and as a young data scientist, working with this type of data isn’t something you typically expect when choosing this career path, which has made the experience even more insightful.
I’m also proud of the work I contribute to the data team. I help develop applications and scripts that support the intelligence behind a variety of complex data sets, ultimately giving our customers valuable insights that help inform their decision-making.
How much of the work you do here at MASS overlaps with the academic work you do at University?
There’s a strong overlap between my work at MASS and my studies at university. While it’s not possible to replicate EW data in an academic setting, some of my work is within the Digital Services area of the business so I also get to work with open‑source cyber datasets and IT data which I’m able to use for some of my university work. I’m learning a lot from both environments, and the insights I gain from each are giving me a solid foundation for the future.
What’s been the highlight of your apprenticeship at MASS?
Being involved in core projects across the business has been a real highlight. I really appreciate that I haven’t been limited to minor tasks because I’m an apprentice, in fact, it’s been the opposite. I’ve been encouraged to explore, learn new skills, and contribute my own ideas to real solutions. I can’t share details about some of the projects due to their sensitive nature, but I’m proud to be part of work that makes a meaningful difference at the highest levels of national security.
Find out more about our current vacancies
