Where will this course lead?

This course is ideal for you, if you wish to become a Software Developer and are new to the sector or have previous qualifications and/or experience and are working in an associated role, which provides support for qualified professionals.

This occupation is found across every sector for example, Financial Services, Computer Gaming, Retail, Transport, Security and Defence in organisations ranging from large multi-nationals, public sector bodies and government projects developing multi-billion-pound software solutions to support key projects to small consultancy firms designing bespoke software solutions for clients.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to understand a client's requirements as provided in design specification and then build and test high-quality code solutions to deliver the best outcome.

Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device. Others develop the underlying systems that run the devices or that control networks.

For example, a software developer may work on Transport ticketing systems, traffic light control systems, customer-facing websites for journey planning and account management, internal websites for monitoring the status of train and road networks. Bespoke asset management systems.

In a computer gaming context, a software developer may work with a creative digital design team to give life to the team's ideas through the delivery of effective code to provide an attractive gaming experience that can give the product a commercial advantage.

In a retail context a software developer may work on delivering coding solutions to deliver online retail opportunities for businesses that provide a responsive and secure trading environment for customers to purchase goods and interact with the retailer.

Organisations use software to ensure that their operations become ever more effective and robustly reduce the incidence of downtime by building quality tested software solutions to give a better service. For example, in commercial organisations this can give them a competitive advantage by being able to analyse significant amounts of data quickly and efficiently to provide the business with information and management systems. This can save time and help the business spot profit making opportunities. For public sector bodies the right software solution can drive up performance and help target scarce resources more effectively and ensure that customer expectations are more likely to be met.

A software developer in a medium to large organisation will typically be working as part of a larger team, in which they will have responsibility for some of the

straightforward elements of the overall project. In a smaller enterprise a software developer may be working as the only developer on a project but under direct supervision. A software developer will interpret design documentation and specifications provided by more experienced or specialist members of the team, such as a business analyst or technical architect.

In their daily work, a Software Developer interacts with internal and external parties including users/customers (to understand their needs and test the software developed through user testing) and team members from a range of specialist fields including designers, developers, engineers, analysts and project/delivery managers (to ensure the effective implementation of software solutions). A developer will typically be working as part of a larger team, in which they will have responsibility for some of the straightforward elements of the overall project. The developer will need to be able to interpret design documentation and specifications. The customer requirements will typically be defined and agreed by more experienced or specialist members of the team, such as a business analyst or technical architect.

A Software Developer is typically office-based however field-based research and testing may require periods of time working in the environments of the clients whose needs they are seeking to meet.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for developing software solutions across the full software development life cycle from research and development, through continuous improvement, to product/service retirement. They may work both autonomously and as part of wider teams, typically reporting to a more senior member of their team.

What will I study?

You will study the knowledge, skills and behaviours as set out within the apprenticeship standard, which will include the following subjects:

• All stages of the software development life-cycle (what each stage contains, including the inputs and outputs)
• Roles and responsibilities within the software development lifecycle (who is responsible for what)
• The roles and responsibilities of the project life-cycle within your organisation, and your role
• How best to communicate using the different communication methods and how to adapt appropriately to different audiences
• The similarities and differences between different software development methodologies, such as agile and waterfall.
• How teams work effectively to produce software and how to contribute appropriately
• Software design approaches and patterns, to identify reusable solutions to commonly occurring problems
• Organisational policies and procedures relating to the tasks being undertaken, and when to follow them. For example, the storage and treatment of GDPR sensitive data.
• Algorithms, logic and data structures relevant to software development for example: arrays- stacks- queues- linked lists- trees- graphs- hash tables- sorting algorithms- searching algorithms- critical sections and race conditions
• Principles and uses of relational and non-relational databases
• Software designs and functional or technical specifications
• Software testing frameworks and methodologies
• Create logical and maintainable code
• Develop effective user interfaces
• Link code to data sets
• Test code and analyse results to correct errors found using unit testing
• Conduct a range of test types, such as Integration, System, User Acceptance, Non-Functional, Performance and Security testing.
• Identify and create test scenarios
• Apply structured techniques to problem solving, debug code and understand the structure of programmes in order to identify and resolve issues
• Create simple software designs to effectively communicate understanding of the program
• Create analysis artefacts, such as use cases and/or user stories
• Build, manage and deploy code into the relevant environment
• Apply an appropriate software development approach according to the relevant paradigm (for example object oriented, event driven or procedural)
• Follow software designs and functional or technical specifications
• Follow testing frameworks and methodologies
• Follow company, team or client approaches to continuous integration, version and source control
• Communicate software solutions and ideas to technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Apply algorithms, logic and data structures
• Interpret and implement a given design whist remaining compliant with security and maintainability requirements

How will this course be delivered?

The apprenticeship programme consists of 'on-the-job' and 'off-the-job' training. You will receive on-the-job training from your employer and will also be allowed 20% off-the job training, which will involve your college block-release and independent study.

Your independent study will be recorded in a learning journal, to capture evidence of your experiences, reflections and achievements.

An assessor coach will be allocated to you and will visit your workplace on a regular basis, liaising with your work-based mentor, but you will also receive master-class workshops from college tutors.

This will give you the opportunity to do real work, developing work-based skills that employers' value and helping you to progress in your chosen career.

What qualifications will I get?

Level 4 Software Developer Apprenticeship Standard

Level 2 Functional Skills Maths and English (if required)

How will I be assessed?

The apprentice's progress and development will be assessed at regular stages - this is likely to be a combination of assignments, activities, exams, reflective discussions and observations in the workplace.

The employer and training provider will formally sign-off the apprentice's readiness for the independent End Point Assessment (EPA) at 'gateway'. Gateway is the point at which the apprentice has met and can confidently apply the minimum knowledge, skills and behaviours required, as detailed within the apprenticeship standard.

The End-Point Assessment (EPA) will consist of 2 distinct components:

? Professional discussion supported by a portfolio of evidence

? Project report with questioning

Performance in the EPA will determine your overall apprenticeship grade i.e., pass or distinction.

How do I get a place on the course?

In order to gain a place on this course, applicants must meet the entry criteria and attend a formal interview. All applications are to be submitted via the college website.

If you have a learning difficulty or disability, please let us know when you apply. If you need help with completing your application and at interview, we can provide support: https://www.solihull.ac.uk/uni-level-learner/student-services

What are the entry requirements?

To secure a place of study on the Level 4 Software Developer programme, the minimum entry requirements are as follows:

• English GCSE Grade 4/C, Level 2 Functional Skills, or equivalent
• Mathematics GCSE Grade 4/C, Level 2 Functional Skills, or equivalent
• Demonstrate a passion for computing and emerging communication technologies
• Be at least 16 years of age

You must also be employed in a relevant field (as indicated above) for a minimum of 30 hours per week.

What else do I need to know?

This course is a part-time programme, and you will be expected to attend day-release; 1 day per week for the duration of the programme, between the hours of 09:00 to 17:00. Timetables will be issued to successful applicants prior to induction and enrolment, at the beginning of the course.

As part of the national apprenticeship guidance, you will also undergo Equality and Diversity, British values and Prevent Training, which will prepare you with the necessary behaviour needed to work within the wider business environment.

Furthermore, you will also be required to complete 20% 'off-the-job' training as a minimum requirement for the apprenticeship course, which may require self-directed study, where will be supported by your assessor coach and work-based mentor.

Please contact the Employer Services Team for more information regarding funding and costs: apprenticeships@solihull.ac.uk

There are no direct additional costs for this course, but you may want to purchase some textbooks for further reading. A suggested reading list will be supplied at the beginning of your course; however, we also have a wide selection of library books and electronic books for you to use too. You will be expected to supply your own stationery, such as folders, pens and paper. Connection to the internet is expected, but facilities are available at college to do this if necessary.

What can I do after this course?

Upon completion of the apprenticeship, you can:

? Continue your employment in the industry

OR

? Progress onto higher level qualifications or pursue a career path into team leading or higher management.