Software and Test Engineer Apprenticeships
Department for Work and Pensions
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 22nd September 2024
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Salary
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Apprenticeship
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Engineering
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About the job
Job summary
Do you have an appetite for learning?
Do you like finding out stuff that you know nothing about?
Do you like to ask questions where others don’t?
If the answer to these questions is ‘Yes’, why not apply for our apprenticeship programme that is focusing on three areas:
- Associate Level 1 Software Engineers
- Associate Level 1 Software Test Engineers
- Apprentice Application Engineers.
This apprenticeship programme is an exciting opportunity to ‘earn as you learn’ and get hands on practice while you study towards a Level 4 qualification. You’ll receive formal learning to develop crucial skills, knowledge and behaviours for your career and be part of a great team.
About DWP Digital:
We are leading the digital transformation of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – the UK’s biggest government department.
At DWP Digital, you’ll be part of a diverse, vibrant community, where you’ll be empowered to develop your skills and try new things at the cutting-edge of your industry. You can build a stimulating and fulfilling career here, full of interesting challenges and plenty of opportunities to grow.
Putting the user at the centre of everything we do, our engineers use their logic, mathematical and problem-solving skills to develop and test apps and digital services that make a positive impact on millions of people’s lives.
Our Software Engineers will work with tools like Java, Node.JS, relational and non-relational databases to help develop our front-end and back-end services. They will learn to utilise concepts such as Containerisation, Microservices and Test-Driven Development.
Our Test Engineers will work on similar tools alongside automated testing frameworks like Playwright, Selenium, Rest Assured, and drive the quality of our services with continuous testing ways of working.
Our Application Engineers will leverage Low Code Technologies to develop user friendly, scalable business solutions that help streamline processes and drive productivity. You will work with a suite of tools - including PowerApps, Dataverse, Power Automate, Genesys, Verint, Nuance and Power BI to design and implement applications, automate workflows and generate data driven insights.
You’ll also combine this hands-on experience with virtual learning, delivered by our partner providers, including one-to-ones with tutors and mentors, lab tutorials, and proper research projects. APPLY NOW!
Job description
This is an exciting opportunity to earn as you learn and get hands on practice of software development and engineering, while studying towards an industry-standard qualification.
About the apprenticeship roles
- Associate Level 1 Software Engineers – We have roles available across all out Digital hubs, covering Manchester, Newcastle, Blackpool, Leeds, Sheffield and Birmingham.
- Apprentice Application Engineer – We have roles predominantly based within Newcastle and the other 4 roles cover all our Digital hubs, except for London.
The Associate Level 1 Software Engineer and Associate Level 1 Application Engineers will both work towards the Level 4 Software Developer apprenticeship. This is typically a 24-month programme, not including the End Point Assessment. The apprenticeship starts with an 8-week foundational boot camp, followed by an 8-week specialism boot camp. Following successful completion of boot camp, you will spend approximately the next 12 months, working within an engineering team, learning the relevant knowledge skills and behaviours and building up a portfolio demonstrating the learning ready for assessment. Upon completion of your portfolio, you will move into final stage known as End Point Assessment (EPA), which comprises of two assessments. One is a practical assessment with a formal discussion and the other is a formal discussion around the portfolio and the learning/understanding of the role.
Further information can be found here:
Software developer / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
- Associate Level 1 Test Engineer – We have a number of roles available, predominantly within our Manchester, Newcastle and Blackpool hubs. The other roles cover all our Digital hub locations, except for London.
The Associate Level 1 Test Engineer will work towards the Level 4 Software Test apprenticeship. This is typically a 24-month programme, not including the End Point Assessment. The apprenticeship starts with an 8-week foundational boot camp, followed by an 8-week specialism boot camp. Following successful completion of boot camp, you will spend approximately the next 12 months, working within an engineering team, learning the relevant knowledge skills and behaviours and building up a portfolio demonstrating the learning ready for assessment. Upon completion of your portfolio, you will move into final stage known as End Point Assessment (EPA), which comprises of two assessments. One is a practical assessment with a formal discussion and the other is a formal discussion around the portfolio and the learning/understanding of the role.
Further information can be found here:
Software tester / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
You’ll develop crucial skills, knowledge and behaviours for your career and be part of a great team delivering digital applications and services.
You’ll be supported by your line manager, skills coach and the engineering community, as well as fellow apprentices on the programme, so you will have plenty sources of encouragement to help you succeed. It’s also critical that you can be proactive and make the most out of your time on the apprenticeship.
There is a lot to do and learn, so you need to be ready to work hard and participate in the many opportunities you’ll be given.
This is a fantastic chance to build a career at DWP and become a highly skilled tech professional. To apply, please follow this link:
To be eligible for the apprenticeship you are required to hold the following minimum eligibility criteria:
- Hold a valid passport/birth certificate or residence permit
- Have the right to live and work in the UK
- Must have lived in the UK and/or EEA for 3 years prior to apprenticeship start date or hold refugee status
- Not be in full-time education or be undertaking another apprenticeship by the apprenticeship start date
- You must not hold an existing qualification at the same or higher level in a similar subject
- You must hold GCSEs in Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above or complete and pass a functional skills tests.
Please note- If you are applying on a part-time basis, you are required to do a minimum of 30 hours per week as this role combines work and studies.
Person specification
If you would like to learn more about the role, please contact sam.hackett@dwp.gov.uk.
Benefits
Alongside your salary, the Department for Work and Pensions contributes 28.97% towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
We also have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:
- Working patterns to support work/life balance such as flexi-time and compressed hours.
- Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
- Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
- Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
- Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
- Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
- An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.
Salary Information
Pay for this role is £29,500.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Stage 1: Makers Academy selection process
On submitting your interest to become an apprentice via Makers, you will be invited by email to complete a series of tasks. Please see the hyperlink: Makers Landing Page Link
You will work through an intensive, but largely self-selecting application process run by Makers Academy. This process is designed to enable you to try coding and to help you understand if you are suitable for the apprenticeship. It is largely self-selecting as you commit to undertaking the learning and practical exercises required, within the timeline stipulated.
For the first stage, you will be invited to undertake a coding course which will take around 15 hours to complete and you can complete in one or more sessions within a limited timeframe. You will be sent instructions on how to do this and do not need to have any previous experience of coding.
The second part of selection challenges with the training provider will be a coding challenge, which will take around two hours to complete. On completion and if successful you will then be contacted by a member of the Makers to team for an interview.
The training provider will shortlist applicants to move through to the final stage which will be an interview with DWP Digital to assess the essential criteria. Here you will also be required to complete a 10-minute presentation. Further details will be provided when selected for interview.
A timeline of the application process is below. Apply by:
- Registering your details with Makers Academy and completing your application about your interest in the apprenticeship role by Wednesday 18th September 2024.
- Upon submission you will work through the selection stages, which includes the following:
- Complete a coding course and challenge within 10 days time (by Tuesday 1st October, on successful completion progressing to an interview).
- Interviews with Makers Academy will be held from Monday 16th September up to Friday 18th October.
- Final interviews with DWP Digital are expected to be held from Monday 23rd October until Friday 1st November. Dates will be confirmed should you be successful.
Following a successful interview, we are hoping to make offers by early November and will then begin necessary onboarding and checks with a target start date from January 2025 onwards.
Stage 2: Interview
If you’re successful with the Makers Academy Selection process you will be invited to a DWP video interview via Microsoft Teams. There, you will be assessed against the following Behaviours:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Developing Self and Others
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together.
You will also be asked to do a short (10 minute) presentation on a specific topic. Further details will be provided to candidates invited to interview.
Further Information:
Find out more about Working for DWP
For Hints and Tips on completing your application visit Applying for jobs at DWP Digital.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Reserve list candidates will be posted in merit order by location.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.
Who can start an apprenticeship?
To start an apprenticeship, you’ll need to be:
- 16 or over
- living in England
- not in full-time education
You can apply for an apprenticeship while you’re still at school but you’ll need to be 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays to start the apprenticeship. Please note if successful you must be 16 or over to undergo the relevant security checks.
Reasonable Adjustment
At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.
We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via DigitalRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
For further information on reasonable adjustments, terms and conditions and how we recruit visit the How We Recruit, page
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Sam Hackett
- Email : sam.hackett@dwp.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : digital.recruitmentupdates@dwp.gov.uk
Further information
