Software Development Technician Apprenticeship

Students

This apprenticeship Standard is a great route to build the skills and knowledge required to begin a career in software development. A Software Development Technician typically works as part of a software development team, building simple software components such as web, mobile or desktop applications. Learners will obtain an appreciation of the concepts, approaches and techniques of software programming, and the ability to apply these to simple components used by teams within their organisation and their customer base.

Benefits for learners

• Gaining industry recognised professional qualifications
• Developing skills that will increase your career potential
• Industry Support from industry experienced staff working with the British Computing Society
• Working with the British Computing Society & Becoming a BCS member

Ideal for:

• Junior Web Developer
• Junior Application Developer
• Junior Mobile App Developer
• Junior Software Developer

Delivery model and duration: Workplace and college block delivery

Duration: 24 Months

Qualification:

• BCS Software Development Context and Methodologies Module
• BCS Programming Module

This apprenticeship is recognised for entry onto the Register of IT Technicians upon confirming an appropriate SFIA level 3 Professional competence and those completing the apprenticeship would then be eligible to apply for registration.

Components

• Functional Skills English and maths Level 2

The apprenticeship will cover the following core areas:

• Logic and writing code
• Security principles
• Development support
• Communication
• Data: linking to database types and embed data queries within their code
• Testing and analysing code to identify errors, designing manual tests and understand expected results
• Analysing data to ensure they know and can meet the customers’ requirements
• Development lifecycle
• Quality: can identify and follow standards and good practice

End Point Assessment

The final end point assessment is completed in the last few months of the apprenticeship. It is based on:

• Portfolio of evidence: produced towards the end of the apprenticeship, containing evidence from real work projects which have been completed during the apprenticeship, usually towards the end, and which, taken together, cover the totality of the standard, and which is assessed as part of the end point assessment
• Synoptic project: giving the apprentice the opportunity to undertake a business related project over a one week period away from the day to day workplace
• Employer reference
• Interview: exploring what has been produced in the portfolio and the project as well as looking at how it has been produced

An independent assessor (from the BCS) will assess each element of the end point assessment and will then decide whether to award successful apprentices with a pass, a merit or a distinction