Software Development Apprentice

Cirencester College

Cirencester (GL7 1XA)

Closes in 24 days (Friday 26 September 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 2 September 2025

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Summary

We are looking for a motivated individual passionate about software development to join our small team. You’ll play a key role in supporting and enhancing our bespoke intranet platform, which underpins critical communication, business operations, and college tools across the organisation.

Wage

£15,000 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Software development technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm (4pm on a Friday) which include half an hour for lunch.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Sunday 12 October 2025

Duration

1 year 9 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

This is an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience in software development while working on real-world applications that make a meaningful impact.

We’re a small, friendly team working in a busy and dynamic college. If this sounds interesting, we’d love to hear from you.

Assist in the development, testing, and maintenance of our internal intranet systems and bespoke mobile app.

Collaborate with team members to design and implement new features and tools.

Troubleshoot and resolve bugs or performance issues.

Participate in code reviews and team meetings.

Learn and apply best practices in software engineering and version control.

Document technical processes and contribute to user guides where needed.

Where you'll work

Fosse Way Campus
Stroud Road
Cirencester
GL7 1XA

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

CIRENCESTER COLLEGE

Training course

Software development technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Write simple code for discrete software components following an appropriate logical approach to agreed standards (whether web, mobile or desktop applications) under supervision
  • Apply appropriate secure development principles to specific software components at all stages of development
  • Support development of effective user interfaces
  • Make simple connections between code and defined data sources as specified
  • Test simple code and analyse results to correct errors found using unit testing under supervision
  • Conduct a range of test types under supervision , such as Functional and Non -Functional.
  • Apply structured techniques to problem solving, including carry out simple debug of code
  • Follows organisational and industry good coding practices (including for naming, commenting etc.)
  • Solve logical problems, seeking assistance when required (including appropriate mathematical application)
  • Support the creation of simple software documentation and visuals to effectivelycommunicate understanding of the program
  • Define functional and non -functional requirements such as use cases, storyboards, user stories, performance and accessibility.
  • Work within operational requirements such as health and safety, budgets, brands and normal business protocols
  • Develop user interfaces as appropriate to the organisations development standards and the type of software development being developed
  • Build scripts in line with work instructions for deployment into the relevantenvironment
  • Follow simple software designs and functional/technical specifications in line with work
  • Follow simple testing frameworks and methodologies in line with work instructions
  • Follow company, team or client approaches to continuous integration, version and sourcecontrol as instructed
  • Support the communication of software solutions and ideas to technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Apply algorithms, logic and data structures in a supported context in line with workinstructions
  • Follow work instructions to contribute to building a given design whist remainingcompliant with security and maintainability requirements
  • Apply techniques to break down complex problems.
  • Demonstrate how Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can be used to frame and measuredesired outcomes
  • Implement secure code in appropriate languages of different types which is maintainable, readable, functional.
  • Design simple software solutions to meet a requirement using tools and techniques, such as waterfall and agile
  • Work in a shared code base with appropriate etiquette and tools, such as modularity and data definition
  • Use simple debugging techniques, such as interactive debugging, print debugging, remotedebugging
  • Implement test plans under supervision to show that a test plan is implementable in practice and implementation conforms to the plan.
  • Develop and use simple acceptance criteria.
  • Apply and maintain procedures and security controls to ensure confidentiality, integrityand availability
  • Use collaboration tools and technologies for source and version control to enable workingtogether on common projects, regardless of physical location,
  • Follow instructions to ensure client data is held securely under supervision e.g., not using personally identifiable information in test systems, making sure personal actions comply with ICO regulations
  • Use collaboration tools and technologies for writing technical documentation for, and adapting to, specific audience(s). e.g., technical, non-technical, internal, external
  • Write simple code for discrete software components following an appropriate logical approach to agreed standards (whether web, mobile or desktop applications) under supervision
  • Apply appropriate secure development principles to specific software components at all stages of development
  • Support development of effective user interfaces
  • Make simple connections between code and defined data sources as specified
  • Test simple code and analyse results to correct errors found using unit testing under supervision
  • Conduct a range of test types under supervision , such as Functional and Non -Functional.
  • Apply structured techniques to problem solving, including carry out simple debug of code
  • Follows organisational and industry good coding practices (including for naming, commenting etc.)
  • Solve logical problems, seeking assistance when required (including appropriate mathematical application)
  • Support the creation of simple software documentation and visuals to effectivelycommunicate understanding of the program
  • Define functional and non -functional requirements such as use cases, storyboards, user stories, performance and accessibility.
  • Work within operational requirements such as health and safety, budgets, brands and normal business protocols
  • Develop user interfaces as appropriate to the organisations development standards and the type of software development being developed
  • Build scripts in line with work instructions for deployment into the relevantenvironment
  • Follow simple software designs and functional/technical specifications in line with work
  • Follow simple testing frameworks and methodologies in line with work instructions
  • Follow company, team or client approaches to continuous integration, version and sourcecontrol as instructed
  • Support the communication of software solutions and ideas to technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Apply algorithms, logic and data structures in a supported context in line with workinstructions
  • Follow work instructions to contribute to building a given design whist remainingcompliant with security and maintainability requirements
  • Apply techniques to break down complex problems.
  • Demonstrate how Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can be used to frame and measuredesired outcomes
  • Implement secure code in appropriate languages of different types which is maintainable, readable, functional.
  • Design simple software solutions to meet a requirement using tools and techniques, such as waterfall and agile
  • Work in a shared code base with appropriate etiquette and tools, such as modularity and data definition
  • Use simple debugging techniques, such as interactive debugging, print debugging, remotedebugging
  • Implement test plans under supervision to show that a test plan is implementable in practice and implementation conforms to the plan.
  • Develop and use simple acceptance criteria.
  • Apply and maintain procedures and security controls to ensure confidentiality, integrityand availability
  • Use collaboration tools and technologies for source and version control to enable workingtogether on common projects, regardless of physical location,
  • Follow instructions to ensure client data is held securely under supervision e.g., not using personally identifiable information in test systems, making sure personal actions comply with ICO regulations
  • Use collaboration tools and technologies for writing technical documentation for, and adapting to, specific audience(s). e.g., technical, non-technical, internal, external

Training schedule

Software Development Technician Level 3

Whilst the majority of training will take place at work, there will be occasional attendance at workshops (Teams and in person) with the college.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade C/4)
  • Maths (grade C/4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

Essential: • A genuine interest and enthusiasm in software development and coding. • An understanding of programming concepts (e.g., variables, loops, functions) and proficient in at least one coding language. • Willingness to learn and grow in a collaborative environment. • Good problem-solving skills and attention to detail. • Strong communication and teamwork abilities, capable of explaining technical information to non-technical people. • Ability to write clear & detailed instructions. Desirable: • Exposure to or interest in PHP or similar web development languages. • Familiarity with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or SQL. • Experience with version control systems like Git. Due to the content contained within some of our systems, such as Journal, the candidates should be over 18 years old.

About this employer

Cirencester College is a specialist sixth form college in a rural setting on the outskirts of Cirencester, Gloucestershire. One of only three designated specialist Sixth Form Colleges in the South West, Cirencester College is one of the top ranking Sixth Form Colleges in the country.

https://www.cirencester.ac.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Join the software development team.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CIRENCESTER COLLEGE

Mick Forsdike

Mick.Forsdike@cirencester.ac.uk

01285 626102

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000340126.

Apply now

Closes in 24 days (Friday 26 September 2025 at 11:59pm)

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