Software Developer Apprentice (Band 5/EO)

Job summary

Technology, data, and digital services underpins everything that HSE does. We are a knowledge organisation, with a wealth of experience in keeping people safe. It is the responsibility of the Technology Division (TD) to ensure that everyone in the organisation can access our data and information, to share it and to use it to make effective decisions. We support over 3000 colleagues working across Great Britain and, our services keep inspectors functioning effectively and efficiently on industrial sites nationwide, from oil platforms in the North Sea to our deepest mines and quarries.

We strive to constantly improve the technologies and services supporting the organisation. Our end user computing devices are leading edge, and we are making significant progress in delivering new cloud-based services. Our service management and information management services are very highly regarded within the organisation and pride themselves on excellent customer service. Our commercial team has built strong relationships with suppliers and our project management team is embedded in our corporate change programme, transforming the older legacy systems that have underpinned the organisation for a long time.

Please be advised that due to the Apprenticeship component, part-time hours are unavailable for this role.

Please be advised that although this role is being offered under a permanent contract this is on the basis that the successful candidate completes the apprenticeship and maintains satisfactory performance. Failure to pass your apprenticeship within the stated timeframe, may result in the termination of your apprenticeship and, where possible, redeployment to another suitable role within the organisation, in line with our redeployment policy. If there are no suitable roles available, it may be necessary to terminate your employment.

Job description

You will deliver software development solutions and support to major digital and technology services change programmes transforming HSE and, support the implementation of continuous improvement (CI) and continuous deployment (CD) for services once live.

By converting user requirements into technical requirements, you will ensure that user expectations are accurately reflected in the software products developed. You will write maintainable software solutions to meet the design, ensuring that accessibility and security best practices are adhered to. You will also undertake Test Driven Development (TDD) through unit testing of solutions, to identify and, where necessary, resolve and propose practical solutions. You will create and maintain project documentation, implementing change control to ensure that software development changes may be tracked, and quality risks managed. Practice continuous self-learning to keep up to date with technological developments to enhance relevant skills and take responsibility for own professional development.

Key Responsibilities

As an apprentice Software Developer, you will be paired with engineering colleagues to learn on the job whilst designing, running, and improving software components. You can expect to benefit from training, coaching, and mentoring to help you develop in this role. You will be learning to work to our technical standards writing clean and secure code. Alongside this you will be mentored to help develop a rounded set of skills and supporting knowledge:

• Working in a test-driven manner; testing, correcting, and documenting simple programs or scripts.
• Building your knowledge of different systems and software implementation.
• Providing crucial service support to users with difficulties or issues.
• You will be a hard-working and enthusiastic individual with a flexible and collaborative approach to work.
• You will be someone who can work well as part of a busy team but are equally comfortable working independently or with limited supervision.

About the Apprenticeship

Alongside your role, you will undergo a Software Developer Level 4 Apprenticeship. For more information on the apprenticeship on offer please see here Software Engineer Level 4 Apprenticeship , QA

You will be supported from day one for your learning and development into this role, ensuring you are supported every step of the way in completing your apprenticeship and getting the experience you need to excel in your new role. Over time, you will grow into your skillset and role and be able to take ownership and responsibility for certain business processes in-line with your development.

Please note, this role can be based in any of the advertised HSE locations however, occasional travel to our Bootle office may be required.

Person specification

Essential Skills and Criteria

• The ability to communicate effectively, have a working level of customer service and teamwork skills. (Lead criterion)
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to research and learn new tools and techniques.
• Critical thinking and the ability to investigate, evaluate information and reach conclusions.
• Ability to follow agreed procedures, work with minimum supervision and use own initiative to organise own workload.
• The ability to work with programmes such as MS Office suite, and other systems with ease.

Eligibility

This is a development role so to be eligible to apply, the training and development you receive must provide you with significant new skills and learning. This is an essential requirement for apprenticeship funding and means you must not already hold a similar or higher qualification, be working towards a similar or higher qualification, or be significantly experienced in the Software Development modules.

Entry level qualification requirements:

To be eligible to apply for this role you must have completed a Level 3 Software Development Apprenticeship with QA or hold an equivalent qualification with another training provider. If you do not hold this qualification, you must hold one of the following:

• An A-level in Technology or Mathematics.
• A BTEC Diploma in IT.
• 2 years’ experience in a relevant role: • IT Support role e.g. Help Desk, First line
• Software testing or any work that utilises basic coding
• Any other technical job that uses IT equipment or software
• Any data analytics or reporting related role.

If you hold any of the above (excluding the Level 3 Software Development Apprenticeship), please note that any candidate must complete and pass our Learning Providers aptitude test.

If you hold a similar or higher qualification or are currently working towards a similar or higher qualification in the Software Development modules, any offer of employment will be withdrawn.

You will be asked to provide evidence of the above qualifications or experience if invited to interview.

In addition you must:

• Be aged 16 or over (there is no upper age limit).
• Have the right to work in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the UK/EU/EA for 3 consecutive years before starting the apprenticeship.

For candidates aged 19 and over

For this programme, Software Development, in line with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) HSE has agreed that it is a learner-led decision to complete Functional Skills (Level 2 Maths and English). This means that if you cannot evidence you have this already, you now have the option to complete the Functional Skills or opt-out if you prefer. We wish to encourage learners to continue with Functional Skills, especially if you feel it would be beneficial in improving your literacy or numeracy skills or it may be helpful for your future career ambitions to have an English and Maths qualification but for this pathway it is not mandatory.

For candidates aged 16-18

You will be required to provide evidence of a level 2 equivalent qualification in Maths and English (i.e., GCSE Grade A-C). If you do not hold or are unable to provide evidence of this, you will be required to undertake Functional Skills exams (Level 2 Maths and English) as part of the apprenticeship programme.

Hybrid Working

A t HSE, we are proud to be able to offer our people the opportunity to work in a hybrid way which combines working from home and the office. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement, and your allocated office will be your contractual place of work. There will be a requirement to travel to the office for various activities, e.g., collaborative working, supporting and training colleagues. If hybrid working is suitable for you and your role, you will be expected to attend the office, or other business-related site, for 60% of your working week. The arrangements will be determined primarily by business need, but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account.

Therefore, we would encourage candidates to consider if the commute from home to the office is a feasible distance to travel before making an application. Please note that if you are successful, hybrid working will be discussed prior to taking up the post.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Software Development Apprenticeship with QA or hold an equivalent qualification with another training provider;

OR

• An A-level in Technology or Mathematics;

OR

• A BTEC Diploma in IT;

OR

• 2 years’ experience in a relevant role; IT Support role e.g. Help Desk, First line; Software testing or any work that utilises basic coding; Any other technical job that uses IT equipment or software; Any data analytics or reporting related role.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,657, Health and Safety Executive contributes

£9,171 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

We invest in our people with;

• Competitive rates of pay
• Access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme to which HSE contribute 28.97%, far more than in the private sector
• Family friendly policies and working hours to help balance your home life and career
• Carer friendly policies to help create a supportive working culture
• 185 hours annual holiday increasing to 222 hours after 5 years' service, plus bank holidays and 1-day Civil Service privilege leave (recorded as 7.4 hours in addition to your annual leave balance)
• Parental leave benefits
• As a member of HSE you will gain access to a wide range of fantastic benefits that you can take advantage of such as the Cycle to Work Scheme, E-Gift Cards and Vouchers via our partner EdenRed.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Experience.

Upon submitting your short application form, you will be invited to complete a Civil Service numerical test and a Verbal Reasoning Test.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible, within 24-48 hours is recommended, to allow time to complete your full application.

You must complete the online tests and your full application form by 12.00 Midday on M