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Apprentice Software Developer
Dole PLC, Birmingham (B9 4DT)
Closes in 18 days (Friday 30 October 2026)
Wage: £24,000 a year
Training course: Software developer (level 4)
Hours: Monday - Friday, flexible working hours. 40 hours a week
Start date: Wednesday 1 December 2027
Duration: 1 year 6 months
Positions available: 2
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
Please note that this is an apprenticeship position and therefore anyone with more than six months professional experience working as a software developer or who holds either a degree or Master’s degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering will not be eligible. You will also need to commit to completing a Level 4 Software Developer Apprenticeship. Start date: asap, therefore it is unlikely to be suitable for someone who is currently studying A Levels or a college course which is due to finish summer 2027.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide first-line technical investigation and support for software issues raised by Business Analysts, key users, and business teams.
- Assist senior support developers in diagnosing, troubleshooting, and resolving application defects and support requests.
- Learn and apply software debugging techniques across FreshTrade (internal ERP) applications, APIs, and supporting services.
- Gain practical experience working with databases, including running queries, analysing data issues, and validating fixes.
- Support software testing activities by reproducing issues, verifying fixes, and assisting with user acceptance testing.
- Contribute to application enhancements, maintenance tasks, and small development activities under the guidance of senior developers.
- Maintain accurate documentation of incidents, solutions, technical procedures, and knowledge base articles to support continuous improvement.
- Build technical skills in the organisation's software development platforms, programming languages, development tools, and software development lifecycle processes
Skills and Behaviours
- Proven interest in software development and technology.
- Prior exposure to coding (school, college, online courses or personal projects).
- Basic understanding of web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
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Location: We are based in the Custard Factory in Birmingham (B9 4AA). We do offer hybrid working however this is at the discretion of the line manager therefore, the successful candidate will have a commute of 1hr 15 mins or less. The role is not open to candidates that would need to relocate to meet this requirement.
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider: DIGITAL NATIVE (UK) LIMITED
Training course: Software developer (level 4)
Course contents:
- Create logical and maintainable code
- Develop effective user interfaces
- Link code to data sets
- Test code and analyse results to correct errors found using unit testing
- Conduct a range of test types, such as Integration, System, User Acceptance, Non-Functional, Performance and Security testing.
- Identify and create test scenarios
- Apply structured techniques to problem solving, debug code and understand the structure of programmes in order to identify and resolve issues
- Create simple software designs to effectively communicate understanding of the program
- Create analysis artefacts, such as use cases and/or user stories
- Build, manage and deploy code into the relevant environment
- Apply an appropriate software development approach according to the relevant paradigm (for example object oriented, event driven or procedural)
- Follow software designs and functional or technical specifications
- Follow testing frameworks and methodologies
- Follow company, team or client approaches to continuous integration, version and source control
- Communicate software solutions and ideas to technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Apply algorithms, logic and data structures
- Interpret and implement a given design whilst remaining compliant with security and maintainability requirements
Training schedule
This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.
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More training information
As part of the Level 4 Software Developer apprenticeship standard, you’ll be registered as a member with the British Computer Society and be on a fast track to an industry recognised qualification and your dedicated industry coach will support you through a blended approach that will include remote, in person, 1-2-1 and group learning.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
- GCSE in: 7 GCSEs (or equivalent) inc Maths and English (grade A*- C / 9-4 (or equivalent))
- A Level in: Maths, Science, Computer Science or similar (grade A - C)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
About this employer
Dole plc is the global leader in fresh produce. Operating across 30 countries while serving many more, our vertically integrated, optimised supply chain brings the grower and the consumer ever closer together. Extracting cost and adding value, we bring to market the complete portfolio of exceptional fruits and vegetables from across the globe and close to home. Our iconic DOLE brand is synonymous with “quality, quality, quality” and is recognised and trusted across the world. Promoting best agronomic and sustainable practices from farm to fork, our mission, always, is to make the world a healthier, more sustainable place.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab). Ongoing employment and career progression.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is: DIGITAL NATIVE (UK) LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000058439.
Apply now
Closes in 18 days (Friday 30 October 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.
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