About the placement

Students will shadow professional colleagues across their multi-disciplinary team, observing and learning how teams work and how the various professionals collaborate. They will observe and take part in squad ceremonies, understanding ways of working, house styles, handover points and expectations and cadence, then start to take on work under supervision, paired with an experienced ‘buddy’. A student with a preference for Software Engineering, for example, will progress over time from observing/shadowing, through completion of simple tasks/guided work/exercise, pair programming, and then onto supervised ownership and completion of their own ‘tickets’ from the squad’s product backlog. We are also likely to include some ‘wraparound’ content in the 45 day programme, including (example): Civil Service and DWP context and purpose. The range of professions and careers in DWP Digital. Entry routes and pathways (Apprenticeships, Graduate schemes, social mobility schemes etc). First-hand career journeys. Employability skills (CVs and marketing, interview skills, Civil Service Jobs and Success profiles)

• Using data in software design.
• Using digital technologies to analyse and solve problems.
• Planning digital projects.
• Testing software, hardware and data.
• Digital tools for project management and collaboration.
• How digital technologies impact business and market environment.
• The ethical and moral implications of digital technology.
• Digital environments, including physical, virtual and cloud environments.
• Legal and regulatory obligations relating to digital technologies.
• The privacy and confidentiality of personal data.
• The technical, physical and human aspects of internet security.

About the business

DWP Digital’s main purpose is to maintain user-friendly digital services that enable millions of people to access the help, advice and financial support they need. In this role you will be based in the Core Digital Services (CDS) Practice. Collectively, CDS is responsible for creating, maintaining, developing and integrating our large shared digital platforms. CDS are at the forefront of payment services, data sharing and maintaining and protecting customer information. Our focus is on providing sustainable, reusable (across DWP, wider Government and Third Parties) solutions that truly put our customers at the heart of all we do.

About the T Level – Digital Production, Design and Development

On the course, students will develop an understanding of:

• how digital technologies impact business
• the ethical and moral implications of digital technology
• using data in software design
• using digital technologies to analyse and solve problems
• digital environments, including physical, virtual and cloud environments
• emerging technical trends, such as Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), Blockchain, 3D printing
• legal and regulatory obligations relating to digital technologies
• the privacy and confidentiality of personal data
• the technical, physical and human aspects of internet security
• planning digital projects
• testing software, hardware and data
• digital tools for project management and collaboration

This T Level course is currently on offer in Greater Manchester at:

• Ada, the National College for Digital Skills
• Bolton College
• Bury College
• Hopwood Hall College
• The Manchester College
• Oldham College
• Oldham Sixth Form College
• Salford City College
• Tameside College
• Wigan & Leigh College

This placement may not be available with all colleges or providers. Please speak to your college or provider for more information about which placements may be available to you.