Software Developer Apprenticeship
Focus Micro Systems
Headington (OX3 8BX)
Closes on Friday 23 May 2025
Posted on 17 April 2025
Contents
Summary
Focus Micro Systems are looking to continue its success with offering you an apprenticeship within our software development team. We develop software for the property sector, with over 40 years' experience in the marketplace. We will be looking for you to get involved in a wide range of different jobs, allowing you to show us the talent you have.
- Wage
-
£15,500 a year
- Training course
- Software development technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday – Friday, between 9:00am – 5:00pm.
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 July 2025
- Duration
-
1 year 1 month
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you’ll do at work
We have been working with apprentices since 2010 and our goal is to build your skill set and raise your confidence to a level where we can employ you at the end of the apprenticeship. Through this opportunity, we have found that every person who applies has a tremendous amount to offer, and our duty is to ensure that together we can prove this.
You will be part of a development team where you will be shown how to board out designs and solutions to customer requests. You will get involved in working with the team to take these solutions and implement them in code, test and deploy to our wide customer base. Every request is different, which makes the role fun and interesting, meaning no two days are ever the same. You will get exposure to a range of programming languages and environments. You will be involved in software updates from planning through to release, and you will also be involved in helping us to push forward our brand-new, up-and-coming web product. You will get experience working in a professional environment, providing you with invaluable skills for any role, even beyond working with Focus.
Duties you will get to learn and could be involved in but not limited to:
Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
- Visual Basic Projects
- Visual Studio Projects
- C#, HTML, CSS, JavaScript (jQuery), .NET, .NET Core
- SQL, MySQL Stored Procedures and understanding of Server Functionality
- SAP Crystal Reports Template Writing
- Active Reports
- Application Programming Interfaces
- Time ups
- Web Hosting
- Software testing
As you progress through the apprenticeship, your role will evolve, and you will have the opportunity to expand into further projects.
Where you’ll work
Belmont House
Bayswater Farm Road
Headington
Headington
OX3 8BX
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE
Your training course
Software development technician (level 3)
Equal to A level
Course contents
- Write simple code for discrete software components following an appropriate logical approach to agreed standards (whether web, mobile or desktop applications) under supervision
- Apply appropriate secure development principles to specific software components at all stages of development
- Support development of effective user interfaces
- Make simple connections between code and defined data sources as specified
- Test simple code and analyse results to correct errors found using unit testing under supervision
- Conduct a range of test types under supervision , such as Functional and Non -Functional.
- Apply structured techniques to problem solving, including carry out simple debug of code
- Follows organisational and industry good coding practices (including for naming, commenting etc.)
- Solve logical problems, seeking assistance when required (including appropriate mathematical application)
- Support the creation of simple software documentation and visuals to effectivelycommunicate understanding of the program
- Define functional and non -functional requirements such as use cases, storyboards, user stories, performance and accessibility.
- Work within operational requirements such as health and safety, budgets, brands and normal business protocols
- Develop user interfaces as appropriate to the organisations development standards and the type of software development being developed
- Build scripts in line with work instructions for deployment into the relevantenvironment
- Follow simple software designs and functional/technical specifications in line with work
- Follow simple testing frameworks and methodologies in line with work instructions
- Follow company, team or client approaches to continuous integration, version and sourcecontrol as instructed
- Support the communication of software solutions and ideas to technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Apply algorithms, logic and data structures in a supported context in line with workinstructions
- Follow work instructions to contribute to building a given design whist remainingcompliant with security and maintainability requirements
- Apply techniques to break down complex problems.
- Demonstrate how Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can be used to frame and measuredesired outcomes
- Implement secure code in appropriate languages of different types which is maintainable, readable, functional.
- Design simple software solutions to meet a requirement using tools and techniques, such as waterfall and agile
- Work in a shared code base with appropriate etiquette and tools, such as modularity and data definition
- Use simple debugging techniques, such as interactive debugging, print debugging, remotedebugging
- Implement test plans under supervision to show that a test plan is implementable in practice and implementation conforms to the plan.
- Develop and use simple acceptance criteria.
- Apply and maintain procedures and security controls to ensure confidentiality, integrityand availability
- Use collaboration tools and technologies for source and version control to enable workingtogether on common projects, regardless of physical location,
- Follow instructions to ensure client data is held securely under supervision e.g., not using personally identifiable information in test systems, making sure personal actions comply with ICO regulations
- Use collaboration tools and technologies for writing technical documentation for, and adapting to, specific audience(s). e.g., technical, non-technical, internal, external
- Write simple code for discrete software components following an appropriate logical approach to agreed standards (whether web, mobile or desktop applications) under supervision
- Apply appropriate secure development principles to specific software components at all stages of development
- Support development of effective user interfaces
- Make simple connections between code and defined data sources as specified
- Test simple code and analyse results to correct errors found using unit testing under supervision
- Conduct a range of test types under supervision , such as Functional and Non -Functional.
- Apply structured techniques to problem solving, including carry out simple debug of code
- Follows organisational and industry good coding practices (including for naming, commenting etc.)
- Solve logical problems, seeking assistance when required (including appropriate mathematical application)
- Support the creation of simple software documentation and visuals to effectivelycommunicate understanding of the program
- Define functional and non -functional requirements such as use cases, storyboards, user stories, performance and accessibility.
- Work within operational requirements such as health and safety, budgets, brands and normal business protocols
- Develop user interfaces as appropriate to the organisations development standards and the type of software development being developed
- Build scripts in line with work instructions for deployment into the relevantenvironment
- Follow simple software designs and functional/technical specifications in line with work
- Follow simple testing frameworks and methodologies in line with work instructions
- Follow company, team or client approaches to continuous integration, version and sourcecontrol as instructed
- Support the communication of software solutions and ideas to technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Apply algorithms, logic and data structures in a supported context in line with workinstructions
- Follow work instructions to contribute to building a given design whist remainingcompliant with security and maintainability requirements
- Apply techniques to break down complex problems.
- Demonstrate how Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can be used to frame and measuredesired outcomes
- Implement secure code in appropriate languages of different types which is maintainable, readable, functional.
- Design simple software solutions to meet a requirement using tools and techniques, such as waterfall and agile
- Work in a shared code base with appropriate etiquette and tools, such as modularity and data definition
- Use simple debugging techniques, such as interactive debugging, print debugging, remotedebugging
- Implement test plans under supervision to show that a test plan is implementable in practice and implementation conforms to the plan.
- Develop and use simple acceptance criteria.
- Apply and maintain procedures and security controls to ensure confidentiality, integrityand availability
- Use collaboration tools and technologies for source and version control to enable workingtogether on common projects, regardless of physical location,
- Follow instructions to ensure client data is held securely under supervision e.g., not using personally identifiable information in test systems, making sure personal actions comply with ICO regulations
- Use collaboration tools and technologies for writing technical documentation for, and adapting to, specific audience(s). e.g., technical, non-technical, internal, external
Your training plan
Delivery model:
- Work-based training with your employer
- Day release during term time (approximately 36 days per year)
- Approximately four on-site assessment visits per year
- Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English (7 days at college for each, if required)
- Off the job training will count for at least 6 hours a week of an apprentice’s time at work
Qualifications included:
- Level 2 Functional Skills in English and Maths
- Level 3 Information Communications Technician Apprenticeship
End Point Assessment:
- Work-based project and presentation
- Portfolio-based interview
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English & Maths (grade A*- C / 9 - 4)
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- Computer Science (grade A*- C / 9 - 4)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Creative
- Initiative
Other requirements
Please apply as soon as possible for this role. Should the right candidate be found prior to the closing date, then the vacancy may be closed early. Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session: Any new person applying for apprenticeship roles where Abingdon and Witney College deliver the training will be required to attend an Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session at Witney or Abingdon campus. This will consist of a series of initial assessments (required prior to any apprenticeship offer), completion of essential paperwork, the opportunity to find out more about the apprenticeship process, the training included, and a forum for your questions. As a new Apprenticeship applicant, you will only have to undergo this process once. If you would like to talk to us about the assessments or if you would need any extra support to attend the Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session, please call us on 01235 216216. Qualification checks: By applying for this vacancy, you are giving Abingdon and Witney College permission to undertake a Learner Record Service check on your previous qualifications. We make every effort to ensure that applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds or those who may not have the formal GCSE entry requirements can access apprenticeships where possible. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) for Apprentices is £7.55 per hour from April 2025. This applies to 16 - 18 year old apprentices and those aged 19 and over during the first year of their apprenticeship. After this, the National Minimum wage appropriate to their age applies. The Wage for apprentices applies to both time spent on the job plus time spent training.
About this company
Focus Micro Systems are an in house software development company who develop software for the property sector and have been dedicated in doing so for over 40 years. Our close knit, Oxford based team know our products inside out, having designed and developed them from the ground up. We have developed property management software packages to support Letting Agents, Estate Agents and Business Transfer Agents. Whatever the property agencies require, we have the software package waiting for them. Founded in 1981 we are proud of our position as market leaders in the property management software sector. We thoroughly develop and test our products and are entirely confident that our intuitive property software packages, support, training, and maintenance solutions will suit all the requirements of any property agency. Our expert professional and friendly team are able to provide the perfect solution for any property agent. We build and update our software packages regularly to meet the ever-changing property market. We are always at the forefront of new technology and are able to adapt to the needs of those in the property sector.
After this apprenticeship
Potential for long-term opportunities and new roles within the business.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE
Mike
apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
01235216216
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000316308.
Apply now
Closes on Friday 23 May 2025
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