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Software Development Technician

Course Code: APP0154
  • Level: 3
  • Qualification: Apprenticeship
  • Awarding body: City & Guilds (C&G)
  • Duration: 18 months
  • Course type: Full-time
  • Time of day: Daytime
  • When you'll study: One day per week, 9.00am - 4.15pm
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What's it all about?

Start your career in the technology sector with a hands-on, employer-backed route into software engineering. The Software Development Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship allows you to earn while you learn, gaining practical experience across the full software development life cycle. You will learn how to understand user requirements, write clean code, test software and release practical software solutions.

Software plays an important role in modern organisations by improving efficiency, supporting automation and driving innovation across sectors including finance, transport, public services and web development. As an entry-level technician, you will work alongside experienced developers to build, test and maintain software components, including web, mobile and desktop applications, that solve real-world problems.

This course will develop your technical knowledge and practical skills in software development, including Agile working, secure coding and database management. On successful completion, you will have the skills and knowledge needed to progress into a career in software development and continue your professional development within a growing industry.

Course information

This apprenticeship covers the technical knowledge, methodologies and practical skills needed to build, test and deploy software solutions under professional supervision. The curriculum is structured around the key stages of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

Software Development Life Cycle and methodologies

You will learn about:

  • the stages of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), including development, Quality Assurance (QA), User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and release
  • software development methodologies, including Agile and Waterfall 
  • project planning principles, including task prioritisation, risk identification and dependency management.

Core programming and code design

You will learn how to:

  • write logical, maintainable and readable code for web, mobile and desktop applications using recognised coding standards 
  • apply algorithms, data structures, including sequence, selection and iteration, and reusable software design patterns.

Software security and compliance

You will learn how to:

  • apply secure coding practices throughout the software development process
    implement security controls and internet protocols to maintain confidentiality, integrity and availability 
  • comply with data protection legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) 
  • understand intellectual property rights.

Databases and data integration

You will learn about:

  • relational and non-relational (NoSQL) databases 
  • connecting applications securely to data sources.

Software testing and quality assurance

You will learn how to:

  • carry out unit testing and coverage analysis 
  • perform functional and non-functional testing 
  • use structured debugging techniques, including interactive, print and remote debugging, to identify, record and resolve software issues.

User interface and accessibility

You will learn how to design and develop accessible user interfaces (UI) using functional and technical specifications, user stories and storyboards.

Version control, collaboration and technical documentation

You will learn how to:

  • use continuous integration and version control tools, such as Git, to manage shared codebases 
  • produce and maintain technical documentation for both technical and non-technical audiences using collaborative tools.

In order to be successful on this course, you will need five GCSEs at grade 4/C or above (or equivalent), including English and maths.

Note: applicants who have not achieved grade 4/C (or equivalent) in English and maths will be required to study for and pass Level 2 Functional Skills before taking the End-point Assessment (EPA).

Assessment is divided into two stages throughout the Apprenticeship.

1. On-programme assessment (formative)

1.1 Practical coursework and projects: regular coding assignments, unit testing exercises and software documentation tasks.

1.2 Portfolio of evidence: compilation of real-world workplace evidence (code snippets, test plans, commit logs and documentation) demonstrating competence across the required Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs).

1.3 Progress reviews: regular tripartite progress reviews between the apprentice, College tutor and workplace mentor.

2. End-point Assessment (EPA) (summative)

2.1 Project with presentation and questions: a practical software development project completed within a set timeframe, followed by a formal presentation and question-and-answer session with an independent End-point Assessment (EPA) assessor.

2.2 Professional discussion (underpinned by portfolio): an in-depth structured interview evaluating technical competence, industry practices and professional behaviours based on the portfolio completed during the Apprenticeship.

Upon successful complete, you may progress to …

Academic and higher education progression (at the College)

1. Level 4/5 higher education: FdSc Applied Cyber Security (Foundation Degree) or Higher National Certificate/Higher National Diploma (HNC/HND) in Computing or Software Engineering.

2. Higher Apprenticeships: Level 4 Software Developer Apprenticeship or DevOps Engineer Apprenticeship.

Employment progression

Progression into full-time, junior to mid-level software engineering roles within the industry, including:

  • junior software developer 
  • junior web developer 
  • junior mobile app developer 
  • assistant programmer 
  • automated test developer 
  • junior application support analyst.

Please note fees are quoted for one year only.

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