Careers coaches and advisers
Software & Development careers: a guide for careers coaches and advisers
The Eight Domains of Software Application Development Capability
About this guide
This guide is for careers coaches and advisers, including DWP work coaches, who help adults move into Software & Development work.
It is built from the TechSkills Career Matrix and Career Planner. Every pay, hiring and funding figure shows its source and the date it was checked. Where our data has a gap, the guide says so.
- Areas of work covered
- 8
- Apprenticeship standards listed
- 2
- Produced by
- TechSkills, techskills.org
Software & Development at a glance
| No. | Area of work | What it covers | Example roles | Pay range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Experience Engineering | This domain focuses on the design and development of applications that users directly interact with, from websites to enterprise platforms. | Frontend Developer, Backend Developer, Full Stack Developer, Web Architect | £30,000 to £105,000+ |
| 02 | Ubiquitous Computing | Focused on mobile, wearable, and cross-platform solutions that extend digital services into everyday life. | iOS Developer, Android Developer, Mobile Specialist, App Architect | £42,500 to £110,000+ |
| 03 | Deep Tech Engineering | Working close to hardware, operating systems, and connected devices. | Embedded Engineer, Systems Developer, Firmware Engineer, IoT Architect | £45,000 to £135,000+ |
| 04 | Platform, Cloud & Cyber Resilience | Ensuring software can be deployed, protected, and maintained at national and global scale. | DevOps Engineer, Cloud Architect, Security Engineer, Site Reliability Engineer | £42,500 to £135,000+ |
| 05 | Technical Strategy & Leadership | Transforming technical capability into business value. | Chief Technology Officer, Engineering Manager, Technical Lead, Solutions Architect | £80,000 to £180,000+ |
| 06 | Frontier & Emerging Technologies | Advancing the boundaries of software through AI, sustainability, automation, and decentralised systems. | AI Tools Engineer, Green Tech Developer, Web3 Developer, Automation Lead | £45,000 to £130,000+ |
| 07 | Quality Engineering & Testing | Designing test strategies, automation frameworks, and quality gates that catch issues before users do. | QA Engineer, Test Automation Engineer, SDET, Quality Lead | £36,250 to £90,000+ |
| 08 | Software Architecture & Systems Design | Making the structural decisions, how services communicate, how data flows, how systems scale, that determine whether software survives contact with millions of users. | Software Architect, Principal Engineer, Systems Designer, API Architect | £45,000 to £140,000+ |
Pay ranges come from job advert data. The source for each range is shown with the area of work in the next section.
The areas of work, one by one
01 Experience Engineering
- What it is
- This domain focuses on the design and development of applications that users directly interact with, from websites to enterprise platforms.
- Example roles
- Frontend Developer, Backend Developer, Full Stack Developer, Web Architect
- Skills used
- Modern JavaScript ecosystems; API architecture; Performance optimisation; Accessibility; Secure design
- Who it suits
- Individuals motivated by tangible outcomes and user impact.
- Example of the work
- Enables organisations to deliver digital services, customer experiences, and operational platforms.
- What shows someone can do it
- Ability to ship production-grade software; Collaborate across disciplines; Maintain systems at scale
- Sectors that hire
- Retail & E-commerce, Financial Services, Media & Entertainment, Travel & Hospitality, Technology & Software
- Pay
- £30,000 to £105,000+. Source: junior Frontend Developer to senior Full Stack Developer/Architect roles, IT Jobs Watch UK.
Apprenticeship route: Software Developer, Apprenticeship Route
- What it is
- Build production software for a real employer from day one, with structured off the job training and workplace mentoring, instead of starting with a university lecture theatre.
- Example roles
- Software Developer Apprentice, Junior Developer, Associate Software Engineer
- What suits this route
- Comfortable learning on the job with structured mentoring rather than lecture based study; Wants to earn a wage and avoid student debt while training; Can meet real employer entry requirements, typically GCSEs or A levels rather than a completed degree
- Pay
- £21,000 to £58,000. Source: Software Engineer Apprentice to mid-career Associate Software Engineer, Glassdoor/Payscale UK.
| Standard | Reference | Level | Typical length | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | ST0116 | Level 4 | 24 months | 30 July 2026 |
| Digital and Technology Solutions Professional (integrated degree) | ST0119 | Level 6 | 48 months | 29 July 2026 |
02 Ubiquitous Computing
- What it is
- Focused on mobile, wearable, and cross-platform solutions that extend digital services into everyday life.
- Example roles
- iOS Developer, Android Developer, Mobile Specialist, App Architect
- Skills used
- Native and cross-platform development; Mobile security; Offline-first design; Device integration
- Example of the work
- Drives consumer engagement, productivity, and accessibility through always-available applications.
- What shows someone can do it
- Ability to deliver reliable, performant apps across diverse devices and environments.
- Sectors that hire
- Retail & E-commerce, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Financial Services, Transport & Logistics, Technology & Software
- Pay
- £42,500 to £110,000+. Source: junior Android Developer to senior iOS Developer/App Architect roles, IT Jobs Watch & Glassdoor UK.
03 Deep Tech Engineering
- What it is
- Working close to hardware, operating systems, and connected devices.
- Example roles
- Embedded Engineer, Systems Developer, Firmware Engineer, IoT Architect
- Skills used
- Low-level programming; Real-time systems; Hardware integration; Safety-critical development
- Example of the work
- Supports manufacturing, transport, healthcare, energy, and national infrastructure.
- What shows someone can do it
- Precision, reliability, and the ability to operate in high-stakes environments.
- Sectors that hire
- Manufacturing & Engineering, Automotive, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Energy & Utilities, Aerospace & Defence
- Pay
- £45,000 to £135,000+. Source: graduate Embedded Software Engineer to senior IoT Solution Architect, IT Jobs Watch & Glassdoor UK.
04 Platform, Cloud & Cyber Resilience
- What it is
- Ensuring software can be deployed, protected, and maintained at national and global scale.
- Example roles
- DevOps Engineer, Cloud Architect, Security Engineer, Site Reliability Engineer
- Skills used
- Cloud infrastructure; Automation; Cybersecurity; Observability; Incident response
- Example of the work
- Enables digital transformation while safeguarding data, services, and trust.
- What shows someone can do it
- Operational ownership, risk awareness, and resilience engineering mindset.
- Sectors that hire
- Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Telecommunications, Retail & E-commerce, Energy & Utilities
- Pay
- £42,500 to £135,000+. Source: junior DevOps Engineer to senior Site Reliability Engineer/Cloud Architect, IT Jobs Watch & Glassdoor UK.
05 Technical Strategy & Leadership
- What it is
- Transforming technical capability into business value.
- Example roles
- Chief Technology Officer, Engineering Manager, Technical Lead, Solutions Architect
- Skills used
- Leadership; Systems thinking; Governance; Stakeholder alignment; Delivery oversight
- Example of the work
- Shapes innovation, productivity, and competitiveness across the economy.
- What shows someone can do it
- Ability to make high-impact decisions under uncertainty.
- Sectors that hire
- Financial Services, Professional & Consulting Services, Technology & Software, Government & Public Sector, Manufacturing & Engineering
- Pay
- £80,000 to £180,000+. Source: Technical Lead median to CTO 90th-percentile, IT Jobs Watch UK.
06 Frontier & Emerging Technologies
- What it is
- Advancing the boundaries of software through AI, sustainability, automation, and decentralised systems.
- Example roles
- AI Tools Engineer, Green Tech Developer, Web3 Developer, Automation Lead
- Skills used
- AI integration; Sustainable computing; Advanced automation; Distributed systems
- Example of the work
- Positions the UK as a global leader in future technologies.
- What shows someone can do it
- Adaptability, experimentation, and continuous learning.
- Sectors that hire
- Technology & Software, Financial Services, Energy & Utilities, Media & Entertainment, Government & Public Sector
- Pay
- £45,000 to £130,000+. Source: Green Tech/Sustainability Engineer entry to senior Blockchain Developer/AI Engineer, Indeed, IT Jobs Watch & Glassdoor UK.
07 Quality Engineering & Testing
- What it is
- Designing test strategies, automation frameworks, and quality gates that catch issues before users do.
- Example roles
- QA Engineer, Test Automation Engineer, SDET, Quality Lead
- Skills used
- Test automation frameworks; CI/CD quality gates; Performance and load testing; Exploratory testing; Bug triage
- Who it suits
- Meticulous thinkers who take pride in things working properly the first time.
- Example of the work
- Protects revenue, reputation, and user trust by preventing defects reaching production.
- What shows someone can do it
- Rigour, attention to detail, and the ability to think like both a user and an adversary.
- Sectors that hire
- Financial Services, Retail & E-commerce, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Technology & Software, Automotive
- Pay
- £36,250 to £90,000+. Source: junior QA Engineer to Senior QA Manager/Quality Lead, IT Jobs Watch UK.
08 Software Architecture & Systems Design
- What it is
- Making the structural decisions, how services communicate, how data flows, how systems scale, that determine whether software survives contact with millions of users.
- Example roles
- Software Architect, Principal Engineer, Systems Designer, API Architect
- Skills used
- System design; Distributed systems; API and integration design; Scalability planning; Technical documentation
- Who it suits
- Senior engineers who think in systems, not just code.
- Example of the work
- Prevents costly rebuilds by getting foundational technical decisions right early.
- What shows someone can do it
- Ability to balance trade-offs between speed, cost, and long-term maintainability.
- Sectors that hire
- Technology & Software, Financial Services, Telecommunications, Retail & E-commerce, Government & Public Sector
- Pay
- £45,000 to £140,000+. Source: Systems Designer to senior Software Architect/Principal Engineer, IT Jobs Watch & Glassdoor UK.
Routes into the field
| Route | What it is | Cost and pay |
|---|---|---|
| Apprenticeships | Earn while they train through structured learning that combines workplace experience with recognised development. | their employer (or the government, via the apprenticeship levy and co-investment) pays for all their training and assessment costs directly to the provider, they are never billed for tuition, and they don't take out a loan for it. Apprentices are paid at least the apprentice minimum wage of £8.00 an hour. |
| Degrees | Build strong technical foundations through longer-form study with opportunities to specialise and progress academically. | Covers their tuition fees in full, paid directly to their university or college, not means-tested, so every eligible student can borrow the same amount regardless of household income. Repayments under Plan 5 are 9% of income above £25,000 a year, and the loan is written off after 40 years. |
| Bootcamps & Intensive Training | We don't currently have any Tech Industry Gold accredited bootcamp providers - accelerate their move into tech via the government's own Skills Bootcamps programme instead: free, flexible courses up to 16 weeks, built around employability. | Free to the learner. Up to 16 weeks. Available across England. |
| Flexible Learning (Apprenticeship Units) | Build relevant tech skills through shorter, flexible learning without committing to a full programme from the start. | Shorter, flexible training. Focused, in-demand skills. Aligned to employer needs. Can build toward larger qualifications. |
- Apprenticeships: Explore Apprenticeships
- Degrees: Find Degrees
- Bootcamps & Intensive Training: Find a Skills Bootcamp (gov.uk)
- Flexible Learning (Apprenticeship Units): Explore Flexible Learning
- Who pays for an apprenticeship
- Employers with an annual pay bill over £3 million pay into the apprenticeship levy, topped up by government, to fund training. Smaller employers get most of the cost covered through government co-investment, and from the 2026/27 funding year, training for under-25s at these smaller, non-levy-paying employers is fully funded.
- Apprentice minimum wage
- £8.00 an hour: the National Minimum Wage apprentice rate, which applies if they're under 19, or 19+ and in the first year of their apprenticeship (from 1 April 2026). Once they're 19+ and past their first year, they move to the normal age-based National Minimum Wage (up to £12.71/hour for ages 21+ from April 2026), many employers pay well above the legal minimum.
Funding sources: gov.uk: Apprenticeship funding rules and assessment plan guidance, 2026 to 2027 (checked 20 July 2026); gov.uk: Student finance for undergraduates, gov.uk: Repaying your student loan; gov.uk: How interest is calculated, Plan 5 (checked 20 July 2026). Rates change each year, so confirm current figures on gov.uk before quoting them.
Apprenticeship standards in this career family
| Reference | Standard | Level | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| ST0116 | Software Developer | Level 4 | 24 months |
| ST0119 | Digital and Technology Solutions Professional (integrated degree) | Level 6 | 48 months |
- ST0116 Software DeveloperThe core UK apprenticeship standard for professional software development. Run by employers including IBM, across 15 pathways from Level 3 to 6.
- ST0119 Digital and Technology Solutions Professional (integrated degree)A Level 6 honours degree apprenticeship with a software engineering pathway. BT runs its own version of this route as a four year, fully employer funded honours degree.
Pay and hiring
| Level | Median pay | 25th to 75th percentile | Salaries in sample | Source | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | £32,000 | £30,000 to £35,000 | 32 | IT Jobs Watch: Junior Software Developer (UK) | 6 months to 11 Jul 2026 |
| Mid-level | £60,000 | £48,750 to £70,000 | Not given | IT Jobs Watch: Software Developer (UK) | 6 months to 11 Jul 2026 |
| Senior | £65,000 | £60,000 to £74,475 | 352 | IT Jobs Watch: Senior Software Developer (UK) | 6 months to 11 Jul 2026 |
A small sample makes a figure indicative only. The hiring note below says where that applies.
- Hiring
- Demand for software developers in the UK remains healthy, but employers are becoming more selective, hiring commentary through 2026 describes a market that prioritises strong technical fundamentals and cloud experience over breadth alone. The junior-level figures above are based on a small sample (32 postings), so treat that specific band as indicative rather than precise.
- Remote working
- 38.73% of UK coding and software development job postings were listed as hybrid or flexible (Jan-Apr 2026 data).
- Fastest growing skill
- Python usage among professional developers grew 7 percentage points year-on-year in the 2025 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, the largest jump of any major language.
Skills and certifications
Skills employers ask for
| Skill | Importance | Demand | Time to learn | Route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Git & Version Control | Critical | Very High | 1-2 weeks | All routes |
| JavaScript | Critical | Very High, in 66% of postings | 4-6 weeks | All routes |
| Python | High | High, in 13% of postings | 4-6 weeks | All routes |
| SQL (Structured Query Language) & Relational Databases | High | High, in 12% of postings | 2-3 weeks | All routes |
| C# & .NET | High | Very High, in 30% of postings | 6-8 weeks | All routes |
| Cloud Fundamentals (Azure or AWS) | High | High, in 20% of postings | 3-4 weeks | All routes |
| Automated Testing | Medium | High | 2-3 weeks | All routes |
| Agile Ways of Working | Medium | Medium, in 17% of postings | 1 week | All routes |
- Git & Version Control: Git and GitHub for BeginnersfreeCodeCamp
- Git & Version Control: Git documentationGit
- JavaScript: JavaScriptMDN Web Docs
- JavaScript: JavaScript Algorithms and Data StructuresfreeCodeCamp
- Python: Python documentationPython.org
- Python: CS50's Introduction to Programming with PythonHarvard (edX)
- SQL (Structured Query Language) & Relational Databases: PostgreSQL documentationPostgreSQL
- SQL (Structured Query Language) & Relational Databases: SQLKhan Academy
- C# & .NET: C# learning pathMicrosoft Learn
- C# & .NET: .NET documentationMicrosoft Learn
- Cloud Fundamentals (Azure or AWS): Azure Fundamentals learning pathMicrosoft Learn
- Cloud Fundamentals (Azure or AWS): AWS Cloud Practitioner EssentialsAWS Skill Builder
- Automated Testing: Testing your codeMDN Web Docs
- Agile Ways of Working: Agile Software DevelopmentCoursera (audit)
Git & Version Control: Cited as a baseline requirement across UK junior developer hiring guidance, though rarely broken out as its own keyword-percentage in job-ad analyses since it's assumed rather than explicitly tested for. JavaScript: Share of professional developers who use JavaScript (global, not UK-specific). Python: Share of UK Software Developer job postings mentioning Python. SQL (Structured Query Language) & Relational Databases: Share of UK Software Developer job postings mentioning SQL Server specifically; broader SQL/database skills are cited even more widely in junior-role skills guidance. C# & .NET: C# appears in 29.61% of UK Software Developer postings, .NET in 23.80% (6 months to 11 Jul 2026). Cloud Fundamentals (Azure or AWS): Azure appears in 19.50% of UK Software Developer postings, AWS in 14.41% (6 months to 11 Jul 2026). Automated Testing: Consistently cited across UK junior-developer skills guidance as an expected competency, though not broken out as a standalone percentage in job-ad keyword analyses. Agile Ways of Working: Share of UK Software Developer job postings mentioning Agile.
Certifications
| Certification | Provider | Cost | Time | Level | Recognised | Best stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) | Microsoft | £77 (exam fee, correct at time of writing, check learn.microsoft.com for current pricing) | 2-4 weeks part-time | Beginner | High | Before you apply |
| AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner | Amazon Web Services | $100 / approx. £80 (exam fee, correct at time of writing, check aws.amazon.com/certification for current pricing) | 2-4 weeks part-time | Beginner | High | Before you apply |
For careers coaches and advisers
| Area of work | Who it suits | Example roles | Apprenticeship standards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experience Engineering | Individuals motivated by tangible outcomes and user impact. | Frontend Developer, Backend Developer, Full Stack Developer, Web Architect | ST0116 Level 4, ST0119 Level 6 |
| Ubiquitous Computing | Not given | iOS Developer, Android Developer, Mobile Specialist, App Architect | None listed in the Matrix yet |
| Deep Tech Engineering | Not given | Embedded Engineer, Systems Developer, Firmware Engineer, IoT Architect | None listed in the Matrix yet |
| Platform, Cloud & Cyber Resilience | Not given | DevOps Engineer, Cloud Architect, Security Engineer, Site Reliability Engineer | None listed in the Matrix yet |
| Technical Strategy & Leadership | Not given | Chief Technology Officer, Engineering Manager, Technical Lead, Solutions Architect | None listed in the Matrix yet |
| Frontier & Emerging Technologies | Not given | AI Tools Engineer, Green Tech Developer, Web3 Developer, Automation Lead | None listed in the Matrix yet |
| Quality Engineering & Testing | Meticulous thinkers who take pride in things working properly the first time. | QA Engineer, Test Automation Engineer, SDET, Quality Lead | None listed in the Matrix yet |
| Software Architecture & Systems Design | Senior engineers who think in systems, not just code. | Software Architect, Principal Engineer, Systems Designer, API Architect | None listed in the Matrix yet |
The Who it suits column comes from the Career Matrix. It is a starting point for a conversation, not an assessment.
Notes on your client
Where to send someone next
- National Careers ServiceCareers advice, job profiles, information and resources. (Department for Education. Checked 1 November 2026.)
- Find an apprenticeshipRegister a profile, search vacancies and apply for an apprenticeship. Applicants must be 16 or over. (GOV.UK. Checked 1 November 2026.)
- Skills BootcampsFor people updating their skills to progress in their current job or move into a different role. (JobHelp, GOV.UK. Checked 1 November 2026.)
- Jobcentre Plus: contact and nearest officeContact details for claims, appointments and help finding a job, and a way to find the nearest Jobcentre Plus. (Department for Work and Pensions. Checked 1 November 2026.)
- Skills England: apprenticeship searchSkills England's apprenticeship search. (Skills England. Checked 1 November 2026.)
General notes
Sources and checking
The figures in this guide were checked on dates from 11 July 2026 to 1 November 2026. Each source below shows its own date.
- Skills England: ST0116 Software DeveloperChecked 30 July 2026
- Skills England: ST0119 Digital and Technology Solutions Professional (integrated degree)Checked 29 July 2026
- National Careers Service, Department for EducationChecked 1 November 2026
- Find an apprenticeship, GOV.UKChecked 1 November 2026
- Skills Bootcamps, JobHelp, GOV.UKChecked 1 November 2026
- Jobcentre Plus: contact and nearest office, Department for Work and PensionsChecked 1 November 2026
- Skills England: apprenticeship search, Skills EnglandChecked 1 November 2026
- gov.uk: Apprenticeship funding rules and assessment plan guidance, 2026 to 2027 (checked 20 July 2026)
- gov.uk: National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates (checked 20 July 2026)
- gov.uk: Student finance for undergraduates (checked 20 July 2026)
- gov.uk: Repaying your student loan; gov.uk: How interest is calculated, Plan 5 (checked 20 July 2026)
- ONS ASHE Table 14, 2024 (revised) (checked 11 July 2026)
- IT Jobs Watch: Software Developer / Junior Software Developer / Senior Software Developer (UK) (checked 11 July 2026)
- Harvey Nash: Software 2026 UK Hiring Outlook (checked 11 July 2026)
- Coding and Software Development Job Market Report (UK), Learning People / Adzuna, Jun 2026 (checked 11 July 2026)
- Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2025 (Technology) (checked 11 July 2026)
- Adaface: Skills required for Junior Software Developer (checked 11 July 2026)
- SynergisticIT: Top skills hiring managers seek in new developers (checked 11 July 2026)
- IT Jobs Watch: Software Developer skills (UK), 6 months to 11 Jul 2026 (checked 11 July 2026)
- Microsoft Learn certification catalogue (checked 11 July 2026)
- AWS certification documentation (checked 11 July 2026)
- David A Good: 'You're an entry-level developer. Is getting an AWS certification worth it?' (checked 11 July 2026)