Apprentice Business Analyst

Job Description

Apprentice Business Analyst
Location: York working across network
Salary: £25,889
Contract: Apprenticeship 24 months

If you love digging into problems, asking the right questions, and figuring out better ways to do things, this could be your ideal next step. As an Apprentice Business Analyst at Northern, you’ll be right at the centre of the action – helping turn ideas into improvements that make a real difference.

Our digital and IT teams are driving major change across Northern. From upgrading customer apps to transforming the way we manage our operations, there’s lots going on – and even more to come. Based mainly in our York office, you’ll work alongside experienced Business Analysts, learn how to capture and shape business requirements, and support the delivery of meaningful solutions.

What you’ll be doing

· Helping to gather and document business requirements through conversations and workshops.

· Creating process maps to show how things work now and how they could be better.

· Supporting the development of key documents like business cases, use cases and solution definitions.

· Learning how to define functional and non-functional requirements clearly.

· Supporting stakeholder engagement by working closely with BAs, Project Managers and Solution Architects.

· Helping make sure all requirements are linked to deliverable solutions and outcomes.

· Learning how to get approvals and manage documentation properly.

· Contributing to the improvement of our business analysis tools and templates.

About you You don’t need any experience in business analysis to apply. What matters is your natural curiosity, your drive to solve problems, and your willingness to get involved. If you enjoy finding out how things work and thinking of better ways to do them, you’ll fit right in.

You’ll also need:

· A logical mindset and strong attention to detail

· Good written and verbal communication skills

· An interest in business change and technology

You don't need formal qualifications to apply – but if you don’t already meet the required level in Maths and English, you’ll need to pass a functional skills test before completing the apprenticeship.

Why choose an Apprenticeship with Northern? This Level 4 Business Analyst Apprenticeship comes with BCS membership and all the support you need to build your skills and confidence. You’ll have regular mentoring sessions, work closely with experienced analysts, and get stuck into real projects where your contributions matter. There’s plenty of training, feedback and guidance to help you learn and grow.

What’s in it for you?

At Northern, we don’t just value our people – we go the extra mile to support them. Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to:

• Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.

• Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.

• Enhanced Family Benefits: 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.

• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.

• Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.

• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.

• Training and Career Development: Tailored training, recognised qualifications, and enhanced career pathways across the business.

• Recognition: Our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards celebrate the brilliant things our people do every day.

Why Northern?

We’re more than just a train operator. We’re the heartbeat of the North – connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,500 trains running daily, we’re on a mission to improve rail travel and enhance the customer experience while protecting the environment.

Back in 1825, the first passenger train set off in the North of England, after which rail quickly spread across the globe – and this year, we’re celebrating 200 years of the modern railway. As we look back on the historic events that led us here, we also look towards the future as we move into the era of Great British Rail. Join us at this pivotal moment in rail history and play your part in our journey.

A place for everyone

The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board.

At Northern, we don’t just move people from A to B – we’re building a team where everyone feels they belong. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that’s something you need. We’re also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we’ll always offer an interview.

We automate parts of our screening process to remove unconscious bias and make sure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers will be subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment.

No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob… there’s a place for you here in the railway.