Software Developer / Tester Apprentice

STOPFORD INFORMATION SYSTEMS LTD

CHESTER (CH3 5AN)

Closes in 29 days (Thursday 9 July 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 9 June 2026

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Summary

The role is designed for someone developing their capability through a level 4 apprenticeship, building strong testing, analytical, and technical skills while working closely with development teams on live and new software. 

Wage

£15,600 to £24,784.50, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

The pay may be negotiated and may rise after a probation period has been successfully completed.

Training course
Software developer (level 4)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 5.00pm, with 1-hour unpaid lunch. Training time is included and paid within the working week.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 13 July 2026

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

Purpose:

The purpose of this role is to support the quality, reliability, and ongoing improvement of the company’s software products through structured testing and quality assurance activities

Key Responsibilities:

  • Work as part of a multi-disciplinary development team 
  • Support quality assurance activities across projects and new development work
  • Follow agreed testing standards, processes, and documentation
  • Communicate findings clearly and objectively to development teams
  • Manage tasks in line with agreed priorities and deadlines

Testing Responsibilities:

  • Execute functional, regression, and exploratory testing against requirements
  • Create, maintain, and update test plans and test cases 
  • Log defects clearly, including steps to reproduce and expected outcomes
  • Review documentation and provide feedback on upcoming releases 
  • Support troubleshooting and investigation of software issues
  • Technical development
  • Gain experience working in GIT and .NET environments
  • Support the development of automated testing capability over time
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of QA processes and practices

Where you'll work

THE STEAM MILL
STEAM MILL STREET
CHESTER
CH3 5AN

Training

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

Training provider

VELOCITY 1ST LIMITED

Training course

Software developer (level 4)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • create logical and maintainable code
  • develop effective user interfaces
  • link code to data sets
  • test code and analyse results to correct errors found using unit testing
  • conduct a range of test types, such as Integration, System, User Acceptance, Non-Functional, Performance and Security testing.
  • identify and create test scenarios
  • apply structured techniques to problem solving, debug code and understand the structure of programmes in order to identify and resolve issues
  • create simple software designs to effectively communicate understanding of the program
  • create analysis artefacts, such as use cases and/or user stories
  • build, manage and deploy code into the relevant environment
  • apply an appropriate software development approach according to the relevant paradigm (for example object oriented, event driven or procedural)
  • follow software designs and functional or technical specifications
  • follow testing frameworks and methodologies
  • follow company, team or client approaches to continuous integration, version and source control
  • communicate software solutions and ideas to technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • apply algorithms, logic and data structures
  • interpret and implement a given design whist remaining compliant with security and maintainability requirements
  • create logical and maintainable code
  • develop effective user interfaces
  • link code to data sets
  • test code and analyse results to correct errors found using unit testing
  • conduct a range of test types, such as Integration, System, User Acceptance, Non-Functional, Performance and Security testing.
  • identify and create test scenarios
  • apply structured techniques to problem solving, debug code and understand the structure of programmes in order to identify and resolve issues
  • create simple software designs to effectively communicate understanding of the program
  • create analysis artefacts, such as use cases and/or user stories
  • build, manage and deploy code into the relevant environment
  • apply an appropriate software development approach according to the relevant paradigm (for example object oriented, event driven or procedural)
  • follow software designs and functional or technical specifications
  • follow testing frameworks and methodologies
  • follow company, team or client approaches to continuous integration, version and source control
  • communicate software solutions and ideas to technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • apply algorithms, logic and data structures
  • interpret and implement a given design whist remaining compliant with security and maintainability requirements

Training schedule

This role is offered as a Level 4 apprenticeship. The employee is required to: 

  • Complete all off-the-job training and study requirements 
  • Engage fully with training provider sessions, reviews, and assessments 
  • Apply apprenticeship learning in the workplace 
  • Off-the-job training time is included within contracted working hours and is paid at the normal rate of pay
  • Training sessions are delivered virtually (remote)

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade A*-C/ 9-4)
  • Maths (grade A*-C/ 9-4)

any IT‑related qualification completed at Level 3 in:

- (grade -)

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
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Interest in software testing
  • Willingness to learn

About this employer

Stopford has been providing easy-to-use online booking and management systems to local government organisations for more than 20 years.The company places strong emphasis on working closely with its clients. From the initial stages through to delivery, Stopford collaborates with authorities to understand their specific needs and create scalable, cost-effective solutions. These systems are designed to improve and modernise service delivery. Based at Steam Mill in Chester, Stopford has built a team of highly skilled developers and software engineers. This team works to turn each client’s vision into reality, delivering customised systems that meet individual goals.Over the years, Stopford has supported millions of bookings across local services, including appointments and room bookings. Today, it continues to be one of the leading providers of software solutions for local government.

https://stopford.com (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Medicash Level 2 Proactive Plan
  • 24/7 access to the BUPA
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Hybrid working: 3 days from home, 2 days in the office
  • Regular team socials

After this apprenticeship

  • The role offers long term security and the opportunity to progress into a permanent position

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

VELOCITY 1ST LIMITED

Ivana

ivana@velocity-academy.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000036108.

Apply now

Closes in 29 days (Thursday 9 July 2026 at 11:59pm)