Apprentice Software Engineer in Stoke-on-Trent

The Opportunity

Our client is recruiting for an Apprentice Software Engineer to join their team in East Midlands. The Level 4 Software Developer apprenticeship programme will allow you to kick‑start your career in an industry that is constantly evolving, dynamic and transformational. The steps you take will provide you with valuable first‑hand experience, knowledge, skills and qualification to help drive your career forward. We are here to guide and support you every step of the way.

Position Details

• Apprenticeship Course: Level 4 Software Developer Apprenticeship
• Duration: 16 months + Assessment
• Location: East Midlands (Hybrid) – open to WFH after a few weeks
• Working Hours: 9am – 5:30pm
• Salary: £18,000 – £22,000

Roles and Responsibilities

Since 2021, we’ve been working hard to bring gigabit‑speed full‑fibre broadband to thousands of homes across the UK. Our mission is simple: to connect people. We deliver broadband that’s fast, reliable, and hassle‑free—putting our customers at the centre of everything we do. We’re in the midst of an exciting growth phase, with bold plans for the future. To help us achieve them, we’re looking for talented individuals who share our ambition and can inspire us as we take the next step in our journey. Our team is inclusive and diverse—everyone is welcome, and you’re encouraged to be yourself. Culture matters deeply to us. We believe work should be enjoyable, and we support that with ongoing training, support, great benefits and a vibrant team environment. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experiences, and we strive to ensure everyone feels respected, supported and empowered to thrive.

This is a genuine engineering role, not a support position. As a Software Engineer Apprentice you will:

• Work as a contributing member of our platform engineering team from day one — writing real code, contributing to real platform changes, and learning on a live, production‑grade OSS/BSS estate that directly connects customers to full‑fibre broadband and mobile services across the UK.
• Complete your Level 4 Software Developer Apprenticeship through an approved training provider, with 20% of your working time dedicated to structured off‑the‑job learning. The remaining 80% is spent in‑team, building hands‑on engineering skills under the mentorship of an experienced platform engineer.

The programme is structured in two phases:

• Phase 1: Strong general software engineering foundation alongside hands‑on exposure to the company’s core network configuration and service management platforms.
• Phase 2: Specialisation in either customer platform development or integration engineering—directed by business need and your developing strengths.

What You Will Do

Months 1–4 — Bootcamp (Foundation Phase)

• Complete an intensive technical bootcamp with your training provider covering software fundamentals, object‑oriented programming, REST APIs, databases, Git, and automated testing.
• Begin self‑directed exploration of key concepts relevant to the company’s platform estate.
• Join team ceremonies as an observer: stand‑ups, sprint planning, retrospectives and governance reviews.
• Begin building familiarity with the company’s platform landscape – how a customer order flows from request through to a live network connection.

Months 4–12 — Core Platform Development

• Contribute to configuration, development and automation work on the company’s network management platform – the system that drives provisioning, device configuration and service activation across the physical network.
• Develop working knowledge of the company’s cloud‑native BSS platform for mobile service management – covering subscriber provisioning, order management, billing workflows and REST API integration.
• Write and maintain integration code – REST API consumers, Webhook listeners and data transformation logic – connecting the company’s platforms to downstream network and billing systems.
• Contribute to Python automation scripts used across operational tooling – reporting, data processing and system health monitoring.
• Work within source control and CI/CD practices – Git, branching, pull requests and automated build and test pipelines.
• Continue structured off‑the‑job learning with your training provider and build your apprenticeship portfolio.

Months 12–18 — Specialisation phase

• Customer Platform Engineering: Develop deeper capability in our customer‑facing platform – CRM configuration, guided customer journey development, workflow automation, field service management and low‑code and pro‑code development. Work towards relevant vendor certifications in the customer platform domain. Contribute to platform releases, CI/CD deployments and source‑driven development practices.
• Integration Engineering: Develop deeper capability in our integration and connectivity layer – .NET (C#) integration connectors, API contract development, event‑driven architecture and system‑to‑system workflow automation. Work towards relevant vendor certifications in the integration and cloud development domain. Contribute to integration connector builds, Webhook implementations and pipeline automation.

Desired Qualities, Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• 5 GCSEs grade 4/C or above, including Maths and English (or equivalent).
• Genuine curiosity about how software systems work, particularly in a business context.
• Logical thinking and a methodical approach to problem‑solving.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and ask for help when stuck.
• Not currently enrolled on another apprenticeship or holding a Level 4+ qualification in a closely related field.

Desirable (not required – we will teach you)

• Any exposure to C# or .NET – even through online courses or self‑study.
• Familiarity with REST APIs and JSON data formats.
• Any Python scripting experience, even basic.
• Interest in how networks and telecommunications infrastructure work.
• Interest in how cloud platforms handle billing, provisioning and subscriptions.
• A Level 3 qualification in a STEM subject.

Key Competencies & Behaviours

• Curiosity and Learning – you actively seek to understand how things work, not just how to complete a task.
• Attention to Detail – you check your work before raising it for review.
• Collaboration – you communicate clearly, ask for help when stuck and contribute positively to a team that depends on shared understanding of a complex platform.
• Ownership – you take responsibility for the tasks assigned to you and follow them through to completion.
• Adaptability – you respond positively to changing priorities and feedback.
• Professional Development – you engage fully with your apprenticeship programme, protect your 20% study time and take your certification targets seriously.

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals must have a valid and eligible residency status to apply for this role.

Safeguarding and Values Commitment

Uphold and champion our values, code of conduct and safeguarding principles. Take personal responsibility for understanding and adhering to all safeguarding procedures and policies. Promote a culture of safety and wellbeing through a proactive “do no harm” approach. Recognise and act on responsibility in supporting, strengthening and enforcing safeguarding practices across all areas of work. Understand and meet any role‑specific safeguarding duties – including, in this position, actively identifying and reporting concerns, engaging in relevant training and modelling safe and inclusive behaviours in all apprentice interactions.

At the ITP, we are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners and creating a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace. All employees and volunteers are expected to operate in line with our values.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experiences. We strive to ensure everyone feels respected, supported and empowered to thrive.