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Technology

Software Developer / Tester Apprentice

STOPFORD INFORMATION SYSTEMS LTD · VELOCITY 1ST LIMITED
Location
CHESTER
Postcode
CH3 5AN
Salary
£15,600 to £24,784.50 a year
Duration
1 Year 9 Months
Hours per week
37.5h
Positions available
1
Degree awarded
Software developer (level 4)
Start date
13 July 2026
Application deadline
9 July 2026
Posted
9 June 2026
Vacancy reference
2000036108

About the role

Purpose:

  • The purpose of this role is to support the quality, reliability, and ongoing improvement of the company’s software products through structured testing and quality assurance activities

Key Responsibilities:

  • Work as part of a multi-disciplinary development team 
  • Support quality assurance activities across projects and new development work
  • Follow agreed testing standards, processes, and documentation
  • Communicate findings clearly and objectively to development teams
  • Manage tasks in line with agreed priorities and deadlines

Testing Responsibilities:

  • Execute functional, regression, and exploratory testing against requirements
  • Create, maintain, and update test plans and test cases 
  • Log defects clearly, including steps to reproduce and expected outcomes
  • Review documentation and provide feedback on upcoming releases 
  • Support troubleshooting and investigation of software issues
  • Technical development
  • Gain experience working in GIT and .NET environments
  • Support the development of automated testing capability over time
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of QA processes and practices

Working week

Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 5.00pm, with 1-hour unpaid lunch. Training time is included and paid within the working week.

Skills

Communication skillsIT skillsAttention to detailOrganisation skillsCustomer care skillsProblem solving skillsAnalytical skillsLogicalTeam workingInitiativeInterest in software testingWillingness to learn

Required qualifications

Essential
GCSE · English · Grade A*-C/ 9-4
Essential
GCSE · Maths · Grade A*-C/ 9-4
Essential
any IT‑related qualification completed at Level 3 · - · Grade -

Training & development

This role is offered as a Level 4 apprenticeship. The employee is required to: 

  • Complete all off-the-job training and study requirements 
  • Engage fully with training provider sessions, reviews, and assessments 
  • Apply apprenticeship learning in the workplace 
  • Off-the-job training time is included within contracted working hours and is paid at the normal rate of pay
  • Training sessions are delivered virtually (remote)
Future prospects
  • The role offers long term security and the opportunity to progress into a permanent position

Company benefits

  • Medicash Level 2 Proactive Plan
  • 24/7 access to the BUPA
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Hybrid working: 3 days from home, 2 days in the office
  • Regular team socials

About STOPFORD INFORMATION SYSTEMS LTD

Stopford has been providing easy-to-use online booking and management systems to local government organisations for more than 20 years.The company places strong emphasis on working closely with its clients. From the initial stages through to delivery, Stopford collaborates with authorities to understand their specific needs and create scalable, cost-effective solutions. These systems are designed to improve and modernise service delivery. Based at Steam Mill in Chester, Stopford has built a team of highly skilled developers and software engineers. This team works to turn each client’s vision into reality, delivering customised systems that meet individual goals.Over the years, Stopford has supported millions of bookings across local services, including appointments and room bookings. Today, it continues to be one of the leading providers of software solutions for local government.

Website
stopford.com