Apprentice Software Developer

Vacancy title: Software Developer

Are you driven by technology and eager to develop your career through a revolutionary apprenticeship scheme where there are no age restrictions? Can you demonstrate skills within in programming and do you want to work for a worldwide provider of software solutions?

If this is you, then this is the perfect opportunity to develop your career working as an Apprentice Software Developer for a West Sussex based organisation. As part of a Higher Level 4 IT Apprenticeship, you’ll gain hands-on experience, industry recognised Microsoft, and ITIL qualifications all whilst earning.

Major Areas of Responsibility:

• Issue investigating. Analysing the problem; determining if a coding or configuration issue.
• Updating the fault tracking system with details of your work.
• Issue fixing
• Minor Enhancements
• Assistance to other departments to investigate problems
• The company product is “full Java stack” and you will, over time, be expected to work on all tiers
• Currently the maintenance team operate through a Kanban model. In the future it is expected that there will be opportunity to move to an Agile/Scrum operation.

The employer has an informal working environment with opportunities to interact with employees at all levels. They have a strong longstanding policy of promotion from within and supporting individual career development and a benefits package has been developed to promote one of their core values of providing good work-life balance as well as offering financial support in the event of ill-health.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays)
• Flexitime scheme
• Employee shopping discount scheme
• Life insurance
• Critical illness insurance
• Income protection insurance
• Childcare vouchers
• Company funded social events

What training will I receive?

Our client offers a unique Higher Level 4 IT Apprenticeship scheme that provides award-winning industry training and certifications, valuable work experience and offers on-going support all with the ultimate goal of securing you a long-term career within the world of technology. 

During your 24 month IT apprenticeship programme, the client will provide residential training at our distraction-free training centre. Our method of accelerated training allows you to achieve industry-recognised certifications such as CompTIA, ITIL and Microsoft faster, giving you more time to put your new skills in to practice within a working environment. Firebrand will also provide you with a Mentor who will be supporting and assisting you with your development. By the end of your 24 month apprenticeship, in addition to having numerous industry recognised qualifications, a steady career with a supportive employer, you will also be recognised by the British Computer Society (BCS) for entry onto the register of IT Technicians, confirming SFIA level 3 professional competence.

What experience do I need?

• At least five GCSEs (or equivalent) at Grade C or above including Maths, English and either IT or Science.
• Ideally, you will have either a minimum of two A levels (or equivalent) a Level 3 Apprenticeship qualification or Level 3 BTEC
• Understanding of the software development lifecycle
• Understanding how teams work effectively to produce software and contributes appropriately
• Understanding in basic software design approaches and patterns
• With training, able to interpret and implement a given design, compliant with security and maintainability requirements
• Understands and responds to the business environment and business issues related to software development
• Understands and operates effectively in their own business’s, their customers’ and the industry’s environments

Any experience in the following would be beneficial:

• Java; JSP/Servlet; HTML, CSS, Ajax; Javascript ; JBoss;
• Familiarity with web developer tools an advantage (e.g. FireBug).
• Basic grasp of MSSQL or another relational database, plus ability to write simple SQL queries and insert/update statements.

What happens after my apprenticeship? 

On successful completion of your apprenticeship scheme, it is the company’s intention to make the candidates permanent employees providing a solid, long-lasting career and with many opportunities for development! 

Salary / Hours

37.5 hours per week

£1,000 per month (£230 per week)