Software Development Technician Apprentice (L3) – Rowlinson – Cheshire, CW5 6BN– £18,000p/a – Find an apprenticeship

Summary

You will be part of a small IT team and will report to the IT Manager. You will be based in our Wardle office supporting local and remote users, located at home or at one of the company sites in the UK. On occasion you may need to travel to these locations, so a driving license is required.

Wage

£18,000 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Software development technician (level 3)

Hours

The hours are Monday to Thursday 08:30 to 17:00 and Friday 08:30 to 16:00. One day of the week will be allocated to apprenticeship training and additional training will be provided as appropriate during the week.

36 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 July 2025

Duration

1 year 4 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

Key responsibilities:

Coding new and modifications existing reports with Sage X3, Crystal Reports, Sage Enterprise Intelligence (SEI) and other tools.
Testing systems written internally and externally to ensure they work as needed and fulfil the aims of the system.

Our primary system is an Extract-Translate-Load (ETL) system. It processes data from customers and suppliers, converting it into a standardized format for integration into our internal systems. We perform the reverse operation, transforming data from our systems into various formats for external consumption.

In 2025 - 2026 will we be replacing this system with a new in-house system. We will need to gather the new requirements and reverse engineer parts of the legacy system. The apprentice will assist in developing this system.

You will gain exposure to the following systems at Rowlinson:

Development:

Sage X3
MS SQL
Python
SharePoint

General:

Microsoft Office
FreshService Ticket System
Microsoft Teams
Cloud-based telephone system
Windows desktop
Windows server
Hyper-V
Exchange On-Line
Bespoke software written in-house.

Additional Information:

A full driving license and own transport is recommended due to the location of the site. Wardle is a rural village located on the A51 between Nantwich and Chester. The address is: Rowlinson Group Offices, Gate 2, Green Lane, Wardle, Cheshire, CW5 6BN.
This is a position in the IT Department of Rowlinson Group. The hours are Monday to Thursday 08:30 to 17:00 and Friday 08:30 to 16:00.

One day of the week will be allocated to apprenticeship training and additional training will be provided as appropriate during the week.
There may be occasions where you are required to work outside these times to meet the requirements of the Group.

This role may lead to a permanent position after successful completion of the apprenticeship.

Where you'll work

Group Offices Green Lane Wardle
Nantwich
CW5 6BN

Training

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

College or training organisation

TECHNICAL PROFESSIONALS LIMITED

Your 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

Your training plan

Expected duration: 16 months
Apprenticeship level: Level 3 (Advanced)
Programme: Software Development Technician
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

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Attention to detail
Problem solving skills
Team working
Initiative
Willingness to learn
Time management

Other requirements

It is a requirement to have five GCSE 9-4 grades or equivalent (including English and Maths) to apply for this type of apprenticeship. If you do not have these grades but have completed numeracy and literacy Key Skills/Functional Skills at level two you may also apply for these apprenticeships. 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 company

Rowlinson Group is a privately owned £60m turnover business with over 300 employees across four sites (Wardle, Crewe, Thetford and Tartu, Estonia).  The Rowlinson Group of companies Rowlinson Garden Products: Garden Products provide manufactured and merchanted goods to companies such as B&M Stores, Wickes, and B&Q. Rowlinson Packaging: Packaging manufacture pallets and packing for the food, agricultural, chemical, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing industries. Garden Street: An internet-based retailer of garden products and furniture.

https://www.rowlinson.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Holiday: 23 days plus bank holidays Free parking Salary starting from £18,000 per year Smart casual dress

After this apprenticeship

During this apprenticeship, you will follow a fully supported training programme with LearnTech, delivered through combined classroom-based training, workplace assessment/training and online learning, at the end of which you will have the ability to work as a qualified Software Development Technician.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: