Liam’s Journey

Liam Bottomely’s journey to becoming a Data Engineer at Frame began with a search for an apprenticeship opportunity. He came across QA, one of the leading apprenticeship providers in the UK and decided to give it a try. After completing the rigorous selection process, Liam was chosen for a Junior Data Engineering Apprenticeship programme and started his career.

It was through the QA Apprenticeship Programme that Liam first heard about Frame, a cutting-edge technology company that specialises in optimising data through images, such as Frame’s Better Image service that automatically produces new product images from existing product images to boost key metrics such as sales and retention. He was immediately drawn to the company’s innovative approach to data and its commitment to using the latest technologies. Liam is responsible for designing and implementing data pipelines, maintaining and optimising data storage and processing, and providing data insights to various teams. Liam is near completion of his apprenticeship at Frame and looks forward to graduating from the programme and continuing to push the boundaries of the data engineering field.

Liam has always had a passion for coding. He has always been fascinated with the idea of using code to solve problems and make things happen. Before undertaking this Apprenticeship he was a self-taught coder and has been learning new programming languages and technologies on his own for many years. Python and SQL are two of the languages that Liam has become particularly skilled in. As a side project, Liam is currently working on, creating a football match score prediction model using Python. Which he believes is a great way to combine his passion for sports with his interest in data and technology. Liam commented:

“My biggest advice to anyone starting out or wanting to get into the industry would be to build coding projects that you have an interest in”

Throughout the apprenticeship, Liam gained hands-on experience working with various technologies and tools and learned the key concepts and best practices of data engineering. He also had the opportunity to work on real-world projects, such as his current project which is designing and implementing Frame’s Better Images data model, which is purposed for multiple client data sources. Once completed this will greatly benefit our clients, by providing them with a more efficient and effective way to access, analyse, and utilise their data. This project has allowed Liam to apply what he learned in a practical setting, which he thoroughly enjoys and has learnt skills and experience in a professional work environment to comfortably be adept in the data engineering industry and work with like-minded people. Liam’s short-term aspirations are working on getting better every day and his long-term aspiration is to become a known expert in the field of Data Engineering.  

Would you of done anything differently?

Liam commented: “No, I don’t believe so. I’m a big believer in the idea that every day is a learning day, especially in the tech industry. I think having a growth mindset is incredibly important in order to achieve success. I believe that the ability to learn and adapt is vital in this industry. It’s constantly changing and evolving, so it’s essential to be open to new ideas and ways of doing things. I’ve always tried to approach my work with a willingness to learn and grow, rather than focusing on any mistakes or regrets. Focusing on being 1% better than yesterday is a great foundation to set you up for success”

Educational Routes into Employment

Liam has experienced both degree and apprenticeship-based routes into full-time employment, Liam commented:

“Apprenticeship routes are great for hands-on, on-the-job training, apprenticeships provide the opportunity to learn by doing, which can be a more effective way of learning certain skills than classroom-based education such as a degree. You can earn while you learn: Apprenticeships typically involve paid employment, so apprentices can earn a salary while they gain experience and skills, ultimately it depends on your preferences and your situation.”

Things to do when considering which route to take: 

• Research, look at educational courses and apprenticeship job listings, pay attention to the curriculum and see how it matches your aspirations, needs, and desires 
• Attend open days and fairs, lots of universities offer both degrees and degree-level apprenticeships, and there will most likely be students there too, that can offer advice and share experiences 
• Make a pros and cons list, and evaluate your needs, preferences, and aspirations. 
• Look for reliable blogs and forums, you’re not on your own people have been in your situation before.