New Revised Level 4 Software Developer Apprenticeship Standard  

The new revised version of Level 4 Software Developer Standard has been updated and is available for all new Apprenticeship starts from the 01/06/2021.

Software Developers are found across every sector for example and organisations ranging from large multi-nationals or public sector bodies 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 will primarily be:  

Building and testing simple, high-quality code for software.  

Full time apprentices  

Will typically spend 24 months on-programme (before the gateway) working towards the occupational Software Developer Apprenticeship Standard, with a minimum of 20% off-the-job training. All apprentices must spend a minimum of 12 months on-programme. 

Typical duration to gateway (i.e., excluding EPA period): 24 months 

Maximum funding: £18000 

New Digital Apprenticeship Standards now include “Duties” to support alignment between a job role and the Apprenticeship Standard. 

The Software Developer “Duties” enable the Employer and the Training Provider to ensure that an apprentice is in the right job role to enable them to gain exposure to the work required to successfully complete the Apprenticeship.  

Other Key Changes  

EPA Assessment Methods are different across all the New Digital Apprenticeship Standards.

Mandatory knowledge certificates, vendor / professional qualification have been removed from the Standards.
Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours are generally only assessed in one specific End-point Assessment Method.
Individual EPA Assessment Methods are now graded and can be failed. 
Grades of individual EPA Assessment Methods are now combined to determine final grade.
Employer Reference and Synoptic Project have been removed as End-point Assessment Methods.

EPA Gateway  

In addition to the employer’s confirmation that the apprentice is working at or above the level in the occupational standard, the apprentice must have completed the following gateway requirements prior to beginning EPA: 

Achieved English and mathematics at Level 2. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and Mathematics minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. British Sign Language (BSL) qualifications are an alternative to English qualifications for those who have BSL as their primary language.
For the professional discussion with portfolio, the apprentice will be required to submit a portfolio.
For the work-based project with questioning, the apprentice will be required to submit a project proposal title and summary (500 words).

Software Developer End-point Assessment now consists of two different methods: 

  • A 4,500 word detailed Software Developer project designed to meet the needs of the business, delivering real business benefit.
  • A 60 minute discussion with questions from an Independent Assessor on the work-based project.
A 60 minute two-way discussion underpinned by the portfolio, which involves both the Independent Assessor and the Apprentice actively listening and participating in a formal conversation

Assessment Method 1 & 2 can be taken in any order and both must be passed to successfully complete the Software Developer Apprenticeship.