Software and Test Engineer Apprenticeships - DWP - EO
Government Digital & Data -
Location
These roles may be in one of the following locations; Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester, London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Sheffield.
Please note that for candidates requesting to work in Newcastle, this role will be based at Benton Park View from September 2025, and then at 1 Pilgrim Place in Newcastle city centre by the end of 2027.
Please find further information on the Corporate hub locations here.
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 focussing on two areas:
- Associate Level 1 Software Engineers
- Associate Level 1 Software Test 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.
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.
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, London and Sheffield.
The Associate Level 1 Software Engineer 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 roles available, these are predominantly within our Manchester, Newcastle and Blackpool hubs. The other 2 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 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 bases, you are required to do a minimum of 30 hours per week as this role combines work and studies.
Person specification
See selection process for further details.
If you would like to learn more about the role, please contact Richard.hanley@dwp.gov.uk.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
