Apprentice Software Tester
SAPPHIRE HOLIDAYS LIMITED
Hayle (TR27 5JR)
Closes on Monday 31 August 2026
Posted on 28 July 2026
Contents
Summary
This role will involve working with colleagues across the organisation to understand software issues, reproduce problems, liaise with developers before and after the release of new features, and help establish clear testing practices.
- Wage
-
£24,000 a year
- Training course
- Software tester (level 4)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday: 9.00am - 5.00pm
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 21 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
Please note that this is an apprenticeship position and therefore anyone with more than six months professional experience working as a software tester or who holds an ISTQB foundation certificate will not be eligible.
You will also need to commit to completing a Level 4 Software Testing Apprenticeship.
You’ll work within Software Support, helping improve the quality of the software we rely on for our brands, offices and customer journeys.
As your knowledge and confidence grow, you’ll contribute to well-structured testing guidelines, manual and automated test plans, release checks and quality assurance activities that help us improve our solutions over time.
You won’t be expected to arrive with all the answers or define our testing approach independently from the start. We’re looking for someone who can learn, ask good questions, work through problems carefully, and build the skills needed to support a more structured approach to software quality over time.
What you’ll be doing:
You’ll work with colleagues in Software Support and Software Development to investigate issues, test changes and help improve the quality of our internal systems and customer-facing services.
Your work will include:
- Helping respond to software queries and issues
Investigating issues, reproducing problems and capturing clear notes for developers - Creating and maintaining manual test plans for fixes, changes and key workflows
- Supporting automated testing where appropriate as your skills develop
- Helping check the quality of changes before and after release
- Working with developers to understand upcoming changes and identify what needs testing
- Contributing to testing guidelines, checklists and internal documentation
What we’re looking for:
You don’t need commercial software testing experience. More important is that you enjoy understanding how things work, spotting detail, solving problems, and learning new skills.
Key strengths for this role include:
- A proven interest in software, technology or how applications work
- A real enthusiasm for testing, quality assurance and continuous improvement
- Good attention to detail and a methodical approach to problem solving
- Confidence asking questions and gathering information
- Clear written communication skills and the ability to document findings well
- A willingness to learn new tools, technologies and ways of working
- A collaborative mindset and ability to work with others
Exposure to any testing, coding, scripting, websites, databases or technical projects would be useful, but it isn’t essential.
Diversity Statement: We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, abilities, and beliefs, including those who are neurodivergent, and we value the unique perspectives each individual brings.
Where you'll work
Sapphire House
Hayle Industrial Park
Hayle
TR27 5JR
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
DIGITAL NATIVE (UK) 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
This role includes a structured Level 4 Software Tester apprenticeship, giving you formal training alongside hands-on experience in the workplace.
You’ll have one dedicated day for your apprenticeship, regular guidance from your training provider, and day-to-day mentoring from colleagues across our technology function.
As your confidence grows, you’ll gradually take on more responsibility across manual testing, automated testing, release checks, documentation and the wider quality assurance practices that support our developers.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
A Level in:
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
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
Other requirements
The role is office based with no remote / hybrid working so the successful candidate will have a commute of 1hr or less. The role is not open to candidates that would need to relocate to meet this requirement.
About this employer
We are a long-established group of self-catering holiday-letting agencies, managing a large portfolio of premium holiday homes across the UK. Our brands include Aspects Holidays, Boutique Retreats, Classic Cottages, Grandeur Property, Island Escapes, and Unique Hideaways.
Technology plays a central role in how we operate, grow, and help teams work effectively. We’re looking for a Software Tester Apprentice to join our Software Support Team, helping improve the quality, reliability and consistency of the systems used across the business.
https://sapphireholidays.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- 33 days holiday, including bank holidays, plus a day off for your birthday
- Company pension and life insurance
- Employee assistance programme
- 3 days paid volunteering
- Discounts on holidays within our group portfolio
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
On-going employment and career development.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
DIGITAL NATIVE (UK) LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000045051.
Apply now
Closes on Monday 31 August 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.