At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to test software, solve problems, and improve user experiences.
- Company: Established holiday-letting agency with a focus on technology and quality.
- Benefits: Gain valuable skills through a Level 4 apprenticeship and potential career growth.
- Other info: Diverse workplace welcoming all backgrounds and abilities.
- Why this job: Kickstart your tech career while making a real impact in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed, just a passion for technology and problem-solving.
The predicted salary is between 19575 - 23925 £ per year.
This role will involve working with colleagues across the organisation to understand software issues, reproduce problems, liaise with developers before and after the release of new features, and help establish clear testing practices.
We are a long-established group of self-catering holiday-letting agencies, managing a large portfolio of premium holiday homes across the UK. Our brands include Aspects Holidays, Boutique Retreats, Classic Cottages, Grandeur Property, Island Escapes, and Unique Hideaways. Technology plays a central role in how we operate, grow, and help teams work effectively. We’re looking for a Software Tester Apprentice to join our Software Support Team, helping improve the quality, reliability and consistency of the systems used across the business.
Please note that this is an apprenticeship position and therefore anyone with more than six months professional experience working as a software tester or who holds an ISTQB foundation certificate will not be eligible. You will also need to commit to completing a Level 4 Software Testing Apprenticeship.
You’ll work within Software Support, helping improve the quality of the software we rely on for our brands, offices and customer journeys. As your knowledge and confidence grow, you’ll contribute to well-structured testing guidelines, manual and automated test plans, release checks and quality assurance activities that help us improve our solutions over time. You won’t be expected to arrive with all the answers or define our testing approach independently from the start. We’re looking for someone who can learn, ask good questions, work through problems carefully, and build the skills needed to support a more structured approach to software quality over time.
You’ll work with colleagues in Software Support and Software Development to investigate issues, test changes and help improve the quality of our internal systems and customer-facing services. Your work will include:
- Helping respond to software queries and issues
- Investigating issues, reproducing problems and capturing clear notes for developers
- Creating and maintaining manual test plans for fixes, changes and key workflows
- Supporting automated testing where appropriate as your skills develop
- Helping check the quality of changes before and after release
- Working with developers to understand upcoming changes and identify what needs testing
- Contributing to testing guidelines, checklists and internal documentation
You don’t need commercial software testing experience. More important is that you enjoy understanding how things work, spotting detail, solving problems, and learning new skills. Key strengths for this role include:
- A proven interest in software, technology or how applications work
- A real enthusiasm for testing, quality assurance and continuous improvement
- Good attention to detail and a methodical approach to problem solving
- Confidence asking questions and gathering information
- Clear written communication skills and the ability to document findings well
- A willingness to learn new tools, technologies and ways of working
- A collaborative mindset and ability to work with others
- Exposure to any testing, coding, scripting, websites, databases or technical projects would be useful, but it isn’t essential.
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, abilities, and beliefs, including those who are neurodivergent, and we value the unique perspectives each individual brings.
On-going employment and career development.
Skills Required:
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
Essential - GCSE - 7 GCSEs (or equivalent) inc Maths and English - A*- C / 9-4 (or equivalent)
Essential - A Level - STEM subjects - A - C
Course: Software tester (level 4)
Level: 4
Route: Digital
Apprenticeship Level: Higher
Working Week: Monday - Friday: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Expected Duration: 1 Year 6 Months
Training Provider: DIGITAL NATIVE (UK) LIMITED
Apprentice Software Tester in Cambridge employer: SAPPHIRE HOLIDAYS LIMITED
Join a dynamic and supportive team at our well-established holiday-letting agency, where technology is at the heart of our operations. As an Apprentice Software Tester, you'll benefit from hands-on training, a collaborative work culture, and opportunities for career growth while contributing to the quality of our premium holiday homes across the UK. We value diversity and inclusion, ensuring that every team member's unique perspective is appreciated as you develop your skills in a meaningful role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Apprentice Software Tester in Cambridge
✨Get Your Tech Game On
Diving into coding communities like GitHub or Stack Overflow is a must! Contribute to open-source projects or join local coding meetups in your area. This not only boosts your skills but also shows potential employers, like SAPPHIRE HOLIDAYS LIMITED, that you’re genuinely passionate about software development.
✨Connect with Apprenticeship Networks
Look for apprenticeship-focused platforms or community groups where you can connect with current apprentices and mentors. These networks can often provide insider tips on upcoming openings and help you gain a better idea of what companies like SAPPHIRE HOLIDAYS LIMITED look for in a candidate.
✨Show Off Your Projects
Build a portfolio that showcases any projects or code you've worked on, even if they're just personal projects or coursework. Employers love to see hands-on experience, so having a well-organised GitHub repository to share when you apply can set you apart from the crowd.
✨Leverage University Resources
If you’re still studying, make sure to use your university’s career services. They often have partnerships with companies like SAPPHIRE HOLIDAYS LIMITED and can help you find relevant apprenticeship opportunities or even connect you with alumni who’ve successfully landed similar roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Apprentice Software Tester in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Coding Skills:Don’t forget to highlight any coding projects or contributions you’ve made, whether they're personal, school-related, or open source. Including links to your GitHub or any code repositories can really showcase your hands-on experience and enthusiasm for software development.
Tailor Your CV for Tech:When preparing your CV, make sure you highlight relevant skills such as programming languages (like Python, Java, or JavaScript) and frameworks you’ve worked with. Also, be sure to include any academic accomplishments, courses, or certifications that relate to software engineering—these catch our eye!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:When applying for an apprenticeship, your motivation and eagerness to learn are super important. In your cover letter, share what excites you about software engineering and why you want to join SAPPHIRE HOLIDAYS LIMITED. Don’t hesitate to mention what you hope to gain from this apprenticeship experience.
Link to Your Portfolio:If you’ve got a portfolio that showcases your projects—be it apps, websites, or any software you've developed—make sure to include it in your application. This gives us a clear idea of your abilities and creativity. Plus, feel free to list your availability and any specific areas you want to explore during your apprenticeship with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at SAPPHIRE HOLIDAYS LIMITED
✨Show Off Your Coding Skills
During the interview for a software engineering apprenticeship at SAPPHIRE HOLIDAYS LIMITED, you'll likely face some technical questions or coding challenges. Brush up on your coding skills, and be prepared to explain your thought process as you solve problems. Practising with platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank could give you a leg up!
✨Demonstrate Your Curiosity
As an apprentice, they're looking for your potential and enthusiasm to learn. Be ready to discuss any projects you’ve worked on, whether they're school assignments or personal side projects. Show how you tackled challenges and what you learned from them; it’ll highlight your eagerness to grow in this field.
✨Understand the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with tools commonly used in software development, such as version control systems like Git, frameworks relevant to the role, or project management tools. Knowing your way around these tools will show that you’re not just a coding whiz but also ready to jump into real-world projects at SAPPHIRE HOLIDAYS LIMITED.
✨Prepare for Soft Skills Questions
While technical skills are vital, soft skills matter too, especially in a collaboration-heavy environment like software engineering. Be ready to share examples of how you've worked in teams, resolved conflicts, or adapted to feedback. They want to know you can fit into the SAPPHIRE HOLIDAYS LIMITED culture and work well with others!
