Software Tester Apprentice (Met Office)
The Met Office
Devon (EX1 3PB)
Closes in 25 days (Monday 30 March 2026)
Posted on 5 March 2026
Contents
Summary
The Met Office is delighted to open our advertising for Apprenticeships 2026. You will spend a substantial portion of time collaborating with others to complete testing activities.
- Wage
-
£24,310 a year
- Training course
- Software tester (level 4)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday.
Shifts to be confirmed.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 6 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
- Work with other testers to create test documentation such as test results and test plans
- Build your knowledge on the software development cycle from a testing perspective
- Help encourage a test-driven approach to development
- Develop automated tests
Where you'll work
Fitzroy Road
Exeter
Devon
EX1 3PB
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
FIREBRAND TRAINING LIMITED
Training course
Software tester (level 4)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- apply static test techniques
- apply Black Box test techniques such as Equivalence Partitioning, Boundary Value Analysis, Decision Table Testing and State Transition Testing
- analyse test objectives and requirements/test basis to define test scope and coverage criteria
- use tools to automate, manage or support any test activity
- Apply a regression strategy including selection of tests, maintenance of regression suites and identifying tests suitable for automation
- use defect tracking tools
- adapt and apply testing activities according to industry standard development methodologies (sequential and iterative)
- apply the range of different software test types within the broad categories of Functional, Non-Functional (Security, Performance & Usability), and White Box/Structural Testing
- apply and support testing at different Test Levels appropriate to the Software Development Lifecycle (such as Unit Testing, Component Integration Testing, System Testing, System Integration Testing and User Acceptance Testing), taking into account the fundamentals of testing
- conform to specific industry standards where appropriate (such as GDPR, health informatics, safety critical, etc.) related to software testing
- maintain up to date knowledge of technological developments in the field of Software Testing
- record and interpret test progress and results, communicating test status to the relevant stakeholders
- Design and follow tests to achieve coverage criteria
- apply static test techniques
- apply Black Box test techniques such as Equivalence Partitioning, Boundary Value Analysis, Decision Table Testing and State Transition Testing
- analyse test objectives and requirements/test basis to define test scope and coverage criteria
- use tools to automate, manage or support any test activity
- Apply a regression strategy including selection of tests, maintenance of regression suites and identifying tests suitable for automation
- use defect tracking tools
- adapt and apply testing activities according to industry standard development methodologies (sequential and iterative)
- apply the range of different software test types within the broad categories of Functional, Non-Functional (Security, Performance & Usability), and White Box/Structural Testing
- apply and support testing at different Test Levels appropriate to the Software Development Lifecycle (such as Unit Testing, Component Integration Testing, System Testing, System Integration Testing and User Acceptance Testing), taking into account the fundamentals of testing
- conform to specific industry standards where appropriate (such as GDPR, health informatics, safety critical, etc.) related to software testing
- maintain up to date knowledge of technological developments in the field of Software Testing
- record and interpret test progress and results, communicating test status to the relevant stakeholders
- Design and follow tests to achieve coverage criteria
Training schedule
- We would look for you to join us in September 2026 with your apprenticeship training beginning in November
- You will be managed by a line manager and have a mentor to offer further support. You will have on the job training and in house development opportunities during your apprenticeship
- You will have 1 day per week dedicated to your 20% off the job training with the training provider, BPP. They will deliver the off the job training in an online style
- You will have a tutor(s) delivering learning sessions in 2-3 day blocks each month, along with 1-2-1 coaching sessions on a monthly basis. You will also have regular review meetings with your tutor and line manager every 3 months. There may also be a classroom based "hackathon" session towards the end of the training and prior to completing your EPA
- As well as the taught content, there will be a large amount of self-study, regular assignments, and an end-point assessment period. You must be committed to your own development and training as this element forms a significant aspect of a modern apprenticeship
- Please note: Before applying, we recommend you consider if the delivery method suits your learner needs. We would also recommend you look at the information about the apprenticeship on the training providers website as well as researching the requirements of an apprenticeship to help you decide whether an apprenticeship is right for you
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Logical thinker
- A curious learner
- Willingness to learn
- Detail-orientated person
- Collaborative team player
- Adaptable and resilient
- Fast paced environment
Other requirements
- If you share our values, we’d love to hear from you! Click apply to begin your application
- Please complete your career history (this could include voluntary or work experience roles) and provide evidence against each of the essential criteria in the supporting statement questionnaire. We recommend candidates use the CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning) for presenting evidence of experience and skills
- Please read the Early Careers Programmes Application Guidance at the bottom of this advert for more guidance
About this employer
Right across the world, every single day, people make decisions based on the weather and our changing climate.
We combine weather and climate science and data with expert insights to help with those decisions so people can be safe, well and prosperous.
Everything we do is based on world-leading science and enhanced by the close working relationships we have with partners around the globe. We collect and make sense of massive amounts of data every day, using cutting-edge technology to deliver it into the hands of the people that need it, when it matters.
We are the Met Office. This is world-changing work.
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
- Opportunity to progress within the company
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
FIREBRAND TRAINING LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000019276.
Apply now
Closes in 25 days (Monday 30 March 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.