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Level 3 Software Development Technician

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Level 3 Software Development Technician

Level 3 Software Development Technician

Software development technicians are the supportive entry level team member helping to create computer programs. Some assist in developing the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device. Others assist in developing the underlying systems that run the devices or that control networks. For example, a software development technician may work to support a software developer or wider team on Transport ticketing systems, traffic light control systems, customer-facing websites for journey planning and account management, internal websites for monitoring the status of train and road networks. They may assist in developing software to create bespoke asset management systems.

The EPA is the culmination of the Apprentice’s training programme and provides them the opportunity to demonstrate the full range of knowledge, skills and behaviours in the published standard. You can find the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education assessment plan here.

Teaching

Having completed a minimum of 12 months on programme training and completed the required amount of off-the-job hours specified by the apprenticeship funding rules, the apprentice will undertake a Project Report with Questioning and a Professional Discussion.

01. Application

Once the Employer has decided to use the Academy4PM for the EPA of their learner, the Employer will be required to complete and submit the Academy4PM EPA Application Form which activates the EPA process and initiates EPA for the Apprentice.
02. Submission

At Gateway, this EPA requires the submission of a portfolio of evidence by the Apprentice in electronic form to the EPAO.
03. Review

The assessor panel, once selected and any identified conflicts of interest have been resolved, will review the submitted documentation in preparation for the Project Report with Questioning and Professional Discussion.

04. Panel

The assessment will be led by an Academy4PM assessor who will act as independent assessor and may include representatives from the employer or learning provider free of any direct conflict of interest. The assessor panel will contain members who have:
- Have recent relevant experience of the occupation or sector to at least occupational level 3 gained in the last 5 years or significant experience of the occupation or sector.
The Academy4PM assessor will have the final decision on grading.
05. Assessment

The EPA will assess the full range of knowledge, skills and behaviours listed in the published Standard utilising the following:
- Project Report with questioning lasting 40 minutes.
- Professional discussion lasting 60 minutes.
The above is an opportunity for the apprentice to demonstrate the skills, knowledge and behaviours required in their day-to-day work.

Level 3 Software Development Technician Process

Final Outcome

Once the lead Assessor has concluded the Apprentices Professional Discussion and Project Report with Questioning, the Assessor Panel will review and finalise their marks and provide the Academy4PM with an overall grading recommendation. Both assessment methods are weighted equally in their contribution to final EPA grade.

All EPA methods must be passed for the EPA to be passed overall. Apprentices must gain a pass in both methods to gain a pass overall. Apprentices must gain a distinction in both assessment methods to gain a distinction overall.

Re-Assessment

Apprentices who fail one or more assessment method/s will be offered the opportunity to take a re-sit or a re-take at the employer’s discretion. The apprentice’s employer will need to agree that either a re-sit or re-take is an appropriate course of action. A re-sit does not require further learning, whereas a re-take does. Apprentices should have a supportive action plan to prepare for a re-sit or a re-take.

If the apprentice fails the project assessment method, they will be required to amend the project in line with the independent assessor’s feedback. The apprentice will be given 3 weeks to rework and submit the amended project. The independent assessor will have 2 weeks to review the project.

The timescale for a re-sit/re-take is agreed between the employer and EPAO. A re-sit is typically taken within 2 months of the EPA outcome notification. The timescale for a re-take is dependent on how much re-training is required and is typically taken within 3 months of the EPA outcome notification.

All assessment methods must be taken within a 3-month period, otherwise the entire EPA will need to be re-sat/re-taken.

Re-sits and re-takes are not offered to apprentices wishing to move from pass to a higher grade. Where any assessment method has to be re-sat or re-taken, the apprentice will be awarded a maximum EPA grade of distinction.

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