Manchester Digital Level 4 Software Developer Apprenticeship

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Jeremy Young
6 years ago
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1 Manchester Digital Level 4 Software Developer Apprenticeship

2 Contents Page 3 Page 4 Page 7 Page 8 Page 11 Page 12 Overview Timetable Programme Administration Learning: Bootcamps, masterclasses, in work Assessment Apprentice progression!2

3 OVERVIEW This apprenticeship has been designed to meet the needs of cutting edge digital and technology businesses and over the years will mean that there is a pool of talented, best in class software developers joining the Manchester Digital community. However, first and foremost the apprenticeship will make sure that you get great employees at the end of 18 months. We re not just teaching them to code, we re going to make them fully rounded employees and give them all the communication skills and commercial understanding that they need to become valuable assets to your business. The apprenticeship starts officially on Monday 18th September 2017 and lasts for up to 20 months of employment. Apprentices are trained for 18 months and assessed after that, for a Level 4 Apprenticeship qualification (equivalent to year 1 of a degree). Formal training consists of: 4 week bootcamp - 18th September - 13th October 2017 Approximately 20 days of off-the-job training - 10 bootcamps of 2 days each One hack day as part of the Manchester Digital Skills Festival Attendance at various Manchester Digital Conferences Independent learning and homework Manchester have designed this apprenticeship and play a key role in developing apprentices skills and personal behaviours. Much of the learning takes place among teams in the workplace, on practical projects, client work whenever possible. We expect that apprentices start their workplace journey with close supervision, mentoring and pairing. Over time they become more independent and the focus shifts from training to mentoring, then coaching. The aim is for autonomy in their role at the end of eighteen months. We ask each employer to allocate their apprentice(s) a buddy or mentor, as well as a line manager. Employers are required to make sure apprentices are available for all training sessions, and have in-work time to complete assessment activities to the required standard. We will ask to bring their expertise to bootcamps and masterclasses, by contributing relevant staff for training design and delivery.!3

4 TIMETABLE The bootcamps are spread over the first year of the programme. In between, apprentices are working and learning in the workplace, as below: DATE EVENT DURATION WHO NOTES 18/09/17-13/10/17 16/10/17-6/11/17 7/11/17-8/11/17 9/11/17-4/12/17 5/12/17-6/12/17 Jan TBC BOOTCAMP 1 4 weeks Apprentices Apprentices In Work 3 weeks Apprentices, BOOTCAMP 2 2 days Apprentices Apprentices In Work 3 weeks Apprentices, BOOTCAMP 3 2 days Apprentices Progress Visit. Progress visit Friday 26/01/18 22/01/18-14/02/18 Thursday 15/02/18-16/02/18 19/02/18-27/03/18 28/03/2018 Mid-programme Assessment 29/03/ /04/ /04/ /04/ /04/18-15/05/18 DPMUK 1 day Apprentices Digital Project Management conference Apprentices In Work 5 weeks Apprentices, Progress visit Hackday 2 days Apprentices Part of Mcr Digital Skills Fest Apprentices In Work 5 weeks Apprentices, 1 day ½ day apprentices, ½ day assessors Apprentices In Work 4 weeks Apprentices, BOOTCAMP 4 2 days Apprentices Apprentices In Work 3 weeks Apprentices, May BOOTCAMP 5 2 days To tailor future learning!4

5 21/05/18-12/06/18 Apprentices In Work 4 weeks Apprentices, May 17 UpFront 1 day Apprentices Front end developer conference June 18 BOOTCAMP 6 2 days Apprentices June - July 18 Apprentices In Work 4 weeks Apprentices, July 18 BOOTCAMP 7 2 days Apprentices July - September 18 Apprentices In Work 4 weeks Apprentices, September 18 BOOTCAMP 8 2 days Apprentices September - October 18 End October 18 (12 month milestone) Apprentices In Work 4 weeks Apprentices, Vendor Certificate achieved N/a Apprentices Target date November 18 BOOTCAMP 9 2 days Apprentices October - December 18 Apprentices In Work 8 weeks Apprentices, January BOOTCAMP 10 2 days Apprentices January - March 19 January - March 19 End Mar 19 (18 month milestone) Apr - Jun 19 (if needed) Apprentices In Work 12 weeks Apprentices, Bootcamps as required to support portfolio & work towards final assessment As required Apprentices, Final assessment N/A Apprentices / Work as necessary / final assessment N/A Apprentices / Portfolio & end test assessment Portfolio & end test assessment!5

6 Programme Administration MD are the programme managers, coordinating stakeholders and responsible for recruitment, training delivery, project development and sustainability. We partner with the Skills Company, who will lead on the delivery of assessment and the administration needed to ensure apprentices achieve their qualifications. They will also deal with any contractual enquiries. In close partnership with you, we will offer pastoral support to apprentices. Communication & Co-working: all programme documents will be openly available to apprentices and. We will use Slack for communication. We will offer extra experiences and development opportunities to apprentices, through a programme of invitations to events, meetups and tech communities in Manchester. We will set regular Slack challenges to encourage personal and technical skills development, in a spirit of friendly competition.!6

7 LEARNING: BOOTCAMPS, MASTERCLASSES, IN WORK To gain their qualification, a Level 4 Apprenticeship in Software Development, apprentices need to show their and external assessors that they have achieved the following: Technical Competencies TC1 Logic: writes good quality code (logic) with sound syntax in at least one language TC2 User interface: can develop effective user interfaces for at least one channel TC3 Data: can effectively link code to the database/data sets TC4 Test: can test code and analyse results to correct errors found using either V-model manual testing and/or using unit testing TC5 Problem solving: can apply structured techniques to problem solving, can debug code and can understand the structure of programmes in order to identify and resolve issues TC6 Design: can create simple data models and software designs to effectively communicate understanding of the program, following best practices and standards TC7 Analysis: can understand and create basic analysis artefacts, such as user cases and/or user stories TC8 Deployment : can understand and utilise skills to build, manage and deploy code into enterprise environments TC9 Development lifecycle: can operate at all stages of the software development lifecycle, with increasing breadth and depth over time with initial focus on build and test. TC10 Can apply good practice approaches according to the relevant paradigm (for example object oriented, event driven or procedural) TC11 Can interpret and follow: _software designs and functional/technical specifications TC12 Can operate effectively in their own business s, their customers and the industry s environments TC 13 Can apply the maths required to be a software developer (e.g. algorithms, logic and data structures) Technical Knowledge and Understanding KU1 Understands and operates at all stages of the software development lifecycle!7

8 KU2 Understands the similarities and differences (taking into account positives and negatives of both approaches) between agile and waterfall software development methodologies KU3 Understands how teams work effectively to produce software and contributes appropriately KU4 Understands and applies software design approaches and patterns and can interpret and implement a given design, compliant with security and maintainability requirements KU5 Understands and responds to the business environment and business issues related to software development KU6 Understands and applies the maths required to be a software developer (eg algorithms, logic and data structures) Skills, Attitudes and Behaviours SAB1 Logical and creative thinking skills SAB2 Analytical and problem solving skills SAB3 Ability to work independently and to take responsibility SAB4 Can use own initiative SAB5 A thorough and organised approach SAB6 Ability to work with a range of internal and external people SAB7 Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of situations SAB8 Maintain productive, professional and secure working environment The central concept of apprenticeships is that competencies, knowledge and behaviours are achieved primarily in the workplace, through everyday activity. They evidence this to assessors and undergo an endpoint assessment to prove their achievements to an external assessor. The out-of-work training provided by Manchester Digital, designed and delivered with, is organised into 2-day bootcamps. These offer an intensive, immersive training experience. Apprentices work in teams, on project briefs or challenges to deadlines and match the competencies outlined in the standard. Each bootcamp focuses on a on a group of the above technical competencies, knowledge areas and behaviours. Bootcamps do not teach these in full. They are an opportunity to kick off, develop and explore them, ready to implement and refine in the workplace. They are also an opportunity to reflect back on how effectively apprentices are developing each of these skills.!8

9 Feedback, reflection and sharing time are built into all bootcamps, to consolidate learning and explore not just what was done, but how.!9

10 ASSESSMENT Apprentices are assessed in two ways: 1. On Programme Assessment: Knowledge and understanding is assessed throughout the programme, through knowledge modules and a vendor qualification. These must be passed before the end point assessment. We aim for these elements to be completed 12 months into the programme. Available qualifications are: BCS Foundation Certificate in Software Development Cloud certified developer Apache Hadoop C++ PHP Drupal Oracle SQL Developer Oracle Java Certified MCP.net MTA/MCP programming in HTML5 with Javascript and CSS3 C# (We are working to secure a Ruby qualification and will keep you informed) 2. End Point Assessment: Technical competencies and professional behaviours are assessed in the final months of the programme, after the above has been achieved. The assessment consists of: Portfolio - work examples showing that the apprentice has reached programme competencies Project - a week-long independent piece of work, carried out in exam conditions Employer reference Interview Assessor Visits Each apprentice will have regular workplace visits from the Programme Manager and it is a key part of measuring learner progress, gathering evidence to enable them to pass their qualification and providing feedback. Mentors and Line Managers should be available for these meeting, they will be set well in advance in 6 month blocks. There is a formal requirement for meeting to be every 6 weeks but depending on the apprentice and critical parts of the programme they could be every 4 weeks. Each apprentice, supported by their manager / mentor, will be responsible for recording their progress and evidence in a Learning Log provided by The Skills Company. An example learning log is here. On the first assessor visit we will create an individual learning plan for each apprentice, based on their work role. The best method for recording evidence in the Learning Log will also be decided at this point. The plan will allow the apprentice, their employer and the assessor to ensure that their work will give them the competencies and knowledge needed to complete their apprenticeship.!10

11 APPRENTICE PROGRESSION The Manchester involved in initial programme design first plotted out what they saw as a model 18-month software development apprentice journey, independently of the competencies and skills defined in the qualification. The milestones defined can be used or adapted by our as a higher-level way of gauging apprentice progress, suited to our needs and expectations. Milestone Tech Personal 3 months Involved in delivery of small stories Understand different test approaches Comfortable with development tools 6 months (Hack/code challenge) Involved in issue resolution Understand and describe high-level system architecture Be able to explain software delivery lifecycle for their org 9 months Preparing for certification Involved in requirements definition, having a say in solution design Demonstrating problemsolving techniques Able to accurately describe what the business does and its structure Understand business expectations of an employee Able to reflect and record progress Comfortable in a team Able to contribute in meetings, voice opinions Interacting with others in cohort Building relationships across business Understand and demonstrating their contribution to their team s objectives 12 months (Certification) Become certified Able to manage application support issues (not just issue resolution) Involved in release process (or be fully aware of it, depending on company) Able to lead on deliver of a requirement / story Understand key functions / disciplines e.g. Business Analyst, QA, product Participation in community networks Understand how their team contributes to organisation objectives!11

12 15 months Show evidence of using design patterns properly Have done mock synoptic project (if possible) Have done a mock interview and received developmental feedback Have completed a gap analysis or similar Have an action plan for career / personal progression 18 months (Assessment) Pass syntoptic test Understand and define software architectures Understand principles of UX design and relation to software development Able to apply design principles to software delivery Start to mentor next intake Have given a talk Key Contacts: Emma Grant, Talent and Skills Manager emma@manchesterdigital.com Katie Gallagher, Managing Director katie@manchesterdigital.com!12

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