Software Development Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3)
LANCASHIRE AND SOUTH CUMBRIA NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Lancashire (PR5 6AW)
Closes in 25 days (Monday 30 March 2026)
Posted on 5 March 2026
Contents
Summary
Are you finishing school or college and not sure what to do next?
Do you enjoy technology, problem‑solving, or helping people?
This apprenticeship lets you earn a salary, gain real work experience, and achieve a nationally recognised qualification, all while working for the NHS.
- Wage
-
£21,216 a year
- Training course
- Software development technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Full-time, 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm).
37 hours 30 minutes 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
Working in Digital Roles in the NHS
You don’t need to work in a clinical role to help the NHS save lives. Across the North West, healthcare organisations recruit apprentices each year through the Skills Development Network’s Foundation Digital Apprenticeship, helping to build the digital workforce that modern healthcare depends on.
As a Software Development Technician Apprentice, you’ll play an important part in supporting the use of data and technology that helps staff deliver safe, effective patient care. You’ll gain hands‑on experience in a real NHS environment, build valuable digital and workplace skills, and work towards a nationally recognised qualification - all while making a genuine difference.
You’ll be employed on a full‑time, fixed‑term contract and attend weekly training as part of your apprenticeship. Alongside this, you may have the opportunity to achieve additional industry‑recognised qualifications. We’re looking for motivated individuals who are organised, willing to learn, and have a genuine interest in IT and technology.
As a Skills Development Network apprentice in the NHS, you’ll be starting your career with the UK’s largest employer. In addition to excellent learning and progression opportunities, you’ll benefit from a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and flexible working options.
What You’ll Learn and Do
You’ll be trained to support staff across the NHS by helping them use digital systems and technology confidently. With support, you will learn how to:
- Assist the building software for web, mobile or desktop applications.
- Interpreting design requirements.
- Implementing code.
- Working within a development lifecycle.
- Testing software to meet functional requirements.
- Incorporating security into code.
- Support the development of user interfaces.
- Prioritising and working in accordance with defined standards of service and other organisational coding policies.
You’ll never be expected to know everything straight away - learning is part of the job.
Who This Role Is Perfect For
This role is ideal if you:
- Are leaving school or college
- Enjoy IT, computers, or technology
- Like helping people and solving problems
- Want a practical alternative to university
- Are reliable, keen to learn, and open to new challenges
No previous work experience is required.
Where you'll work
Sceptre Point
Sceptre Way
Preston
Lancashire
PR5 6AW
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
TECHNICAL PROFESSIONALS LIMITED
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
During this apprenticeship, you will follow a fully supported training programme with LearnTech, delivered through combined weekly remote classroom-based training, workplace assessment/training and online learning working towards completing the Software Development Technician standard.
The training covers the following core occupational duties:
https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/st0128-v1-1
More training information
Find out more about the Skills Development Network, the Foundation Digital Apprenticeship, and careers in the NHS at www.nhsapprenticeships.com.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4/C)
- Maths (grade 4/C)
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
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Reliable
- Adaptable
- Interest in Technology
Other requirements
No experience? No problem! If you’re curious, motivated, ready to learn and want to help to improve healthcare, we’d love to hear from you. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
You must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply for the role:
- Have been a UK/EEA resident for the last 3 years
- Hold valid residency status
- Have the right to work in the UK
About this employer
The NHS has a multi-billion pound budget to deliver an efficient, modern, safe and effective healthcare service to patients. As they go through a period of transformation that sees efficiency savings impacting on their limited resources, they are looking to develop new talent to help deliver this challenge.
The NHS is one of the largest and most diverse employers in the UK, with nearly 2 million people working across more than 350 careers. Digital roles are among the fastest-growing areas in healthcare, and this is your chance to be part of that transformation.
After this apprenticeship
This is a fixed‑term apprenticeship, but it gives you:
- Valuable NHS experience
- A recognised qualification
- Support and guidance to apply for permanent roles
Many apprentices go on to further digital roles within the NHS or wider industry.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
TECHNICAL PROFESSIONALS LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000019305.
Apply now
Closes in 25 days (Monday 30 March 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.