APPLY NOW
A student holds a laptop, engaged in testing software, showcasing focus and determination in his studies.

Software Development Technician - Advanced Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship Summary

In an increasingly digital world, the demand for skilled software developers continues to rise across all sectors. Offering an Advanced Apprenticeship in Software Development is a strategic way for employers to future-proof their workforce while gaining immediate value from motivated, capable individuals trained to industry standards.

Software Development Technician apprentices bring fresh thinking and a solid foundation in programming, testing, and system design, tailored to your organisation’s technologies and workflows. They learn while working within your team, applying key principles from day one - such as secure coding practices, debugging techniques, software lifecycle processes, and collaborative development using version control and agile methodologies.

This apprenticeship programme helps address the skills gap by developing talent with both technical ability and professional awareness. Apprentices are trained not only in writing and maintaining code, but also in working effectively within project teams, understanding stakeholder needs, and complying with legal, regulatory, and security requirements. With exposure to real-world scenarios and business tools, they become productive contributors early in their journey.

For employers, the benefits are substantial. Apprenticeships allow you to shape future developers around your systems and culture, reducing long-term recruitment costs and supporting staff retention. With the support of government funding and structured off-the-job training, it’s a cost-effective way to build in-house capability and drive innovation.

By investing in a Software Development Technician apprenticeship, you're not only nurturing the next generation of digital talent - you’re also strengthening your organisation’s capacity to grow, adapt, and compete in an ever-evolving digital economy.

Apprenticeship standard dates

Start date Location Duration
Anytime
University Centre

Next steps

As an Employer

If you would like to offer this as an apprenticeship vacancy within your organisation, enrol one of your existing employees on this apprenticeship or simply find out more about supporting an apprenticeship within your organisation, please complete the Enquire Now form above and a member of our Business Development Team will be in touch within 2 working days to advise you on next steps.

As an Apprentice

If you are interested in securing an apprenticeship as a Software Development Technician, please visit our Vacancies page to check for any suitable roles.

If there are currently no roles available, please submit an enquiry form using the Enquire Now button above to register your interest. We will use this information to let you know when a suitable vacancy becomes available and also to advise you of any courses we offer that might advance your career goals in the meantime.

Key information

How will the Apprenticeship be funded?

As the employer

How your apprenticeship is funded will depend on whether or not you pay the Apprenticeship Levy. If you do pay the Levy, your apprenticeship will be funded out of this, provided you have sufficient monies available. If you do not pay the Apprenticeship Levy, 95% of the apprenticeship will be funded by the Government, with the remaining 5% being funded by you. There may also be some further incentives offered by the Government which we will be able to advise you of when setting up your apprenticeship. Either way, B&FC's Business Development Team will be on hand to help you navigate the funding arrangements and support you through this process.

As the apprentice

One of the benefits of an apprenticeship is that, as the apprentice, you are not required to fund your training. You will also receive a wage for the work that you do with minimum hourly rates set by the Government. Your employer can choose to pay you more than the minimum wage, but they cannot pay you less. For details of current minimum wage rates for apprentices, please visit the Government website.

What will my Apprentice learn?

Knowledge

  • Core stages of the software and project development lifecycles, including roles, responsibilities, testing phases, and release processes.
  • Key software development methodologies (e.g. Agile, Waterfall), design patterns, reusable solutions, and approaches such as object-oriented and event-driven programming.
  • Principles of secure and effective software design, including algorithms, data structures, functional/technical specifications, and software testing frameworks.
  • Foundational computing knowledge including physical, virtual, and cloud systems, and understanding of internet security principles and project planning elements like risk, integration, and prioritisation.
  • Importance of teamwork, effective communication, and use of collaborative tools across technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements (e.g. GDPR, IP, Equality Act), and secure handling of data in line with industry and organisational policies.
  • Awareness of emerging technologies (e.g. AI, IoT, AR) and how industry standards (e.g. ISO) guide best practice in software development.
  • Application of digital business tools, problem-solving approaches (e.g. decomposition, pattern recognition), and use of testing and debugging to ensure software quality.

Skills

  • Write, test, debug, and document simple software components, following secure development principles and organisational coding standards.
  • Develop basic user interfaces, connect code to data sources, and apply functional and non-functional requirements (e.g. performance, accessibility).
  • Use structured problem-solving techniques and basic algorithms in supported contexts, escalating complex issues where needed.
  • Create basic documentation, contribute to shared codebases, and apply collaborative development practices such as version control.
  • Follow testing methodologies, implement test plans, and build deployment scripts according to provided instructions.
  • Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders and adapt documentation for different audiences.
  • Use collaboration tools for technical writing and teamwork, ensuring proper etiquette, modularity, and compliance with security protocols.
  • Support project delivery by applying planning, risk management, continuous integration, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
  • Design simple software solutions using appropriate methodologies and tools (e.g. Agile, Waterfall).
  • Ensure data security in line with organisational policies and legal requirements (e.g. ICO, PII handling).

Behaviours

  • Apply critical thinking and take ownership of work within clearly defined parameters.
  • Commit to ongoing professional development and improvement.
  • Work professionally, independently, and collaboratively, maintaining secure and productive working practices.
  • Communicate effectively, recognise personal limits, and seek guidance when necessary.
  • Contribute positively to team dynamics and organisational culture.

Expert Tutors

All tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. This is especially important for apprenticeships where off-the-job training needs to align with apprentices' on-the-job experience.

How will the Apprenticeship be delivered?

The apprenticeship will typically be delivered over a 18-month period with additional time required to prepare for the End Point Assessment. Apprentices' time will typically be split 80:20 throughout the apprenticeship programme with four days a week spent at the employer premises learning on the job and one day a week spent off-site, undertaking classroom-based and workshop-based training at B&FC.

What support will I get from B&FC?

As the employer

Each employer is supported by an experienced member of our Business Development Team to set up their apprenticeship. For those employers who are completely new to the apprenticeship process, the Team will support them with all the necessary paperwork and administration to get their apprenticeship programme up and running as quickly and efficiently as possible. For existing employers, their dedicated Client Services Manager will be an ongoing point of contact for all their apprenticeship queries, however big or small.

We can also help employers who are looking to recruit new apprentices by advertising their vacancy, finding suitable applicants and supporting them with the interview and selection process. Once an apprentice is onboard, our Curriculum Tutors and Apprenticeship Trainers and Skills Coaches also step in to support the employer-apprentice relationship and ensure the apprentice is on track to succeed.

As the apprentice

In the first instance, we aim to give potential apprentices all the support they need to find a suitable apprenticeship. That can mean working with them prior to an application to improve their CV, hone their interview skills and advise them of any additional training that may help them secure an apprenticeship vacancy.

Once they start their apprenticeship, we continue to support them with their off-site training and with regular meetings with our Apprenticeship Trainers and Skills Coaches to ensure they are progressing and acquiring all the knowledge, skills and behaviours that will ensure they complete their apprenticeship successfully.

How will the Apprenticeship be assessed?

What is an end-point assessment and why it happens

An EPA is an assessment at the end of the apprenticeship. The EPA is the apprentice's opportunity to show an independent assessor how well they can carry out the occupation they have been trained for. Apprentices need to complete a logbook of their training during the last eight months of their apprenticeship which showcases all the work they have carried out prior to their EPA.

The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:

  • fail
  • pass
  • distinction

When the apprentice passes  the EPA, they will be awarded their apprenticeship certificate.

Assessment methods

The EPA comprises three distinct components

Project report with questioning

The apprentice will be required to prepare a project report which demonstrates their proficiency in the KSBs of the occupational standard. This report will be submitted to the external assessor and form the basis of subsequent questioning which will last at least 40 minutes to establish competencies.

Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

The apprentice will have an interview with an independent assessor. During this interview, the assessor will ask the apprentice a variety of questions, which cover different aspects of their role with the aim of assessing whether the apprentice has satisfactorily acquired all the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the occupational standard. The portfolio of evidence the apprentice has compiled will enable them to answer these questions effectively.