Software Developer Apprenticeship Level 4

Harness the power of future-facing software development skills and tools in your organisation.

With innovation and development at its heart, a Kaplan Software Developer apprenticeship is anything but standard.

As well as developing technical skills using a range of core technologies and platforms, we support our learners to weave together the ability to diagnose problems, develop client needs, and communicate solutions to drive business technology forward.

Who's it for?

Ideal for new talent in the organisation with an interest in software development or existing staff taking on a programming role.

If you’re seeking to maximise the benefit of time used as part of off-the-job training and develop technical capability coupled with sector relevant skills that can be directly applied to the role, this apprenticeship might be the right option for you.

Job roles

Individuals on this programme are employed in a variety of roles, ranging from Web Developer, Application Developer, Mobile App Developer, Games Developer, Software Developer - but this list isn’t exhaustive.

One of the key things to success is that the job role and Line Manager provide the opportunities, support and relevant work based projects to be able to contextualise and apply the apprentice’s learning back in the workplace, to gain real competency in that area.

Career progression

An apprentice’s journey doesn’t end when their apprenticeship has finished. This is just their first step to becoming a software developer. The next steps could be to work towards a more advanced programming qualification, take up higher education at university, or progress to a level 6 or 7 apprenticeship programme.

Eligibility

Regardless of age or prior attainment, anyone can do an apprenticeship provided they’re learning new skills and are employed in England, in a relevant role. Kaplan will support you to assess the job role suitability as part of your application.

To do this apprenticeship employers may specify that candidates must have at least a grade 4/C GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths and English. If apprentices don’t have this level of Maths and English, Kaplan offers free resources and support to make sure they develop their understanding of the subjects and application by the end of their apprenticeship.

Apprentices on this programme must be in a full-time technical role where their primary responsibilities will be coding and testing.

Apprentices typically have one of the following:

2 A Levels or International Baccalaureate or any other Level 3 qualification such as a BTEC Extended Diploma
A Level 3 Apprenticeship
12 months of work experience in the last 24 months if they do not have any other Level 3 qualifications

Level

Level 4

Apprenticeship

Software Developer

18 months with Gateway at 15 Months

Costs / funding band

£18,000
Free for learners

Optional qualifications

Optional: PCEP – Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer Certification, PCAP – Certified Associate-Level Python Programmer Certification, Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals, Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals

Looking to recruit or upskill existing staff?

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Aiming to launch your career?

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About the programme

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Keep your business future proof

The Software Developer apprenticeship will give your people the skills to develop and design high-quality code solutions to ensure your business runs smoothly, now and in the future.

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Learn skills and technologies that are in high demand

Including Python, SQL, Microsoft Azure, HTML5, CSS, Javascript, and GitHub.

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Work with colleagues and customers

A Software Developer apprentice will interact with internal and external parties, including users/customers, to understand their needs and test the software developed. They’ll learn the skills needed to deliver well formed and fit for purpose software to manage business needs.

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Support for apprentices

Each learner has regular 1:1 contact and progress reviews to keep them on track, review their portfolio, and get them fully prepared for their final assessments.

The logos of Python, Python, GitHub, HTML5 CSS3 and JavaScript

Included in this apprenticeship

Our Software Developer apprenticeship programme integrates seven modules of technical training with work based projects. This ensures that learning and skills are directly applied to the apprentice’s role, and maximises the time used as part of off-the-job training.

For each module, learners benefit from attending small, scheduled Live Online classes taught by a subject matter specialist, combined with additional online learning that can be completed at their own pace. Each of our live classes are interactive and discursive, giving apprentices quality time with tutors and sector peers to support the development of their knowledge and skills and bring new perspectives to their thinking. Learners also get practical lab time to hone their skills and practice using real data in a safe but simulated environment.

5 days

Python Programming Fundamentals

Python will be used as the main language for training. Apprentices will be able to use their learning to pick up other programming languages they may need to use in the workplace.

Introduction to Python and computer programming
Data types, variables, basic input-output operations, basic operators
Boolean values, conditional execution, loops, lists and list processing, logical and bitwise operations
Functions, tuples, dictionaries, and data processing.

5 days

Intermediate Python Programming

In this module apprentices will build on the Python Basics from Module 1. They will start to look into Object Oriented Programming concepts.

Modules, Packages and PIP
Strings, String and List Methods, Exceptions
Object-Oriented Programming.

Apprentices can take the optional Learners will be able to take the optional Python Institute – PCEP – Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer certification and / or Python Institute – PCAP – Certified Associate-Level Python Programmer but this is not included as part of the apprenticeship and will have to be funded by the employer.

5 days

Advanced Python Programming

This module will continue to build on the Python Object Oriented Programming Concepts from Module 2 and will introduce further advanced Object-Oriented Programming Concepts.

Python core syntax
Inheritance and polymorphism - inheritance as a pillar of OOP
Extended function argument syntax
Decorators
Different faces of Python methods
Abstract classes, encapsulation
Composition vs inheritance - two ways to the same destination
Inheriting properties from built-in classes.

5 days

Software Design and Test Driven Development

This module will cover all the aspects of Software Craft and approaching Software Design.

Approached to Software Design and Requirements
Working in collaboration with others in an Agile Environment
Using Refactoring
Understanding different types of testing
Applying OO Design and SOLID principles to write clean, maintainable code
Understanding and using Test Driven Development (TDD)
Understanding and using Behaviour Driven Development (BDD).

5 days

Databases in the Cloud

This module delves into the principles and use of databases. It will cover the essential concepts of databases including:

What is a database?
Designing a database and data modelling
Managing tables
Querying and sharing data in the database using SQL.

The module will also cover the fundamentals of Data on Microsoft Azure:

Core data concepts in Azure
Concepts of relational data in Azure
Concepts of non-relational data in Azure
Components of a modern data warehouse in Azure.

Apprentices can take the optional Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals certification but this is not included as part of the apprenticeship and will have to be funded by the employer.

5 days

AI and Microservices

This module will introduce Artificial Intelligence and how this is used on the Azure platform.

AI workloads and considerations
Fundamental principles of machine learning on Azure
Features of computer vision workloads on Azure
Features of Natural Language Processing (NLP) workloads on Azure
Features of conversational AI workloads on Azure.

There will also be an introduction to Microservices Architecture and how this differs from a Monolithic Architecture. This will also introduce basic concepts of containers.

Apprentices can take the optional Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals certification but this is not included as part of the apprenticeship and will have to be funded by your employer.

2 days

EPA Readiness Training

This workshop will take the apprentice through a practical application of a software development project.

They will be provided with a practical project structure which will involve working through coding activities. This will include being given a requirement specification to create functioning software and testing this.

The EPA Readiness Training will help support the apprentice in preparing for the End Point Assessment giving them an opportunity to build their programming skills in an immersive exercise getting real time feedback as they hone their skills.

Optional

Generative AI course

A one-day online course during which apprentices will learn about AI, discuss the theories and practice behind it, and leave with an action plan for further development. Bring significant value to your organisation with our Generative AI course.

Optional

Online development sessions

Our Data Analyst Apprenticeship programme also includes optional online development sessions in Time Management, Personal Impact, and Presentation Skills. These interactive sessions focus on key Skills and Behaviours that will benefit your learners' development.

Skills development

To complement the technical training, apprentices will develop sector relevant skills at the right time for their job role.

Throughout the programme, the Talent Coach will support the apprentice and their line manager to identify opportunities to apply their new learning through work activities and projects. This provides a framework for the apprentice to develop and demonstrate the skills and behaviours required in a holistic way. The skills and behaviours are contextualised enabling evidence of competency to come from real-work that contributes to their business.

View all modules

date_range Timetables

Programmes are running regularly throughout the year. View our timetables for scheduled Live Online sessions to see when the next one is running.

View timetables

Why choose Kaplan to do a Software Developer apprenticeship?

Industry tailored

Our Software Developer apprenticeship programme is tailored to deliver impactful outcomes aligned to the daily role.

Leading partners

Underpinned by specialist content and learning labs co-created with leaders in their field Python, Microsoft Azure, GitHub, JavaScript, developing your skills in a range of technologies and platforms, not just one.

Comprehensive learning

Learners attend scheduled, interactive Live Online classes involving lots of practical discussion and application, and combine this with additional online learning that can be completed at their own pace.

Expert teaching

Our tutors are all subject matter experts, with real world experience, and teach groups of diverse learners from organisations across the UK.

Support for employers:

Named client solutions point of contact to support you at every stage
Recruitment service to help you hire an apprentice for a new vacancy
Transparency throughout the application and onboarding process for your learners
Sector expert tutors and talent coaches delivering relevant training and development
Learning that is applied to your organisation through work based experience
Accurate, timely and accessible tracking for each learner
Line Manager visibility of your learner’s portfolio dashboards

Support for learners:

Tutor contact via email outside of scheduled classes
Regular 1:1 contact and progress reviews with their line manager and a named, industry experienced talent coach to keep them on track, review their portfolio and get them fully prepared for their End Point Assessment.
Peer to peer contacts from across the industry as part of a small cohort - creating opportunities to spark new ideas and get new perspectives
Apprenticeship ePortfolio to track their progress, capture off-the-job activity and hours, manage and capture progress reviews, upload evidence, as well as communication with their Talent Coach
Interactive lab environment to practise and put learning to the test
Student Service support available 362 days a year
Work based projects and support from a line manager to be able to contextualise and apply their learning back in the workplace