Ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, we spoke to Liam, Apprentice Software Engineer at DWP Digital about his experiences of working in tech.
I’m an Apprentice Software Engineer working at DWP Digital within Universal Credit. My role mainly works on creating and maintaining the Universal Credit website to benefit millions of users. My team have been working on the Open Banking project which is a link to secured bank information, authorised by the customer, to enhance the user experience.
My journey into software engineering began with studying IT at college. However, due to limited opportunities at the time, I pursued an apprenticeship in Carpentry.
After completing the apprenticeship and gaining comprehensive skills in Carpentry, I decided to return to my passion of IT, motivated by an industry where I could progress.
I enrolled in evening Software Development courses at UWE Bristol, completing Level 2 and Level 3 certifications in my spare time alongside my day job. I thoroughly enjoyed the courses, reinforcing my passion for software engineering and inspiring me to pursue this career.
I chose an apprenticeship route at DWP Digital because I’m able to get hands-on experience while still learning, developing and improving my technical skills. This practical way of learning suits me because it combines education with real work experience.
I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship and the learning opportunities it provides. My team and other software developers are very helpful, enabling me to grow both technically and professionally.
I also appreciate the meaningful work I do at DWP Digital, knowing that we positively impact millions of people in the UK. I like having a sense of purpose working in the public sector.
I’m amazed by the amount of support I receive from both Makers who are the software engineering apprenticeship provider, and DWP Digital.
At DWP Digital, I feel completely comfortable asking questions, no matter how basic they may seem. Everyone is extremely approachable and always willing to help. What stands out the most is how patient my team is when explaining information I may not fully understand. They take the time to break down complex concepts into simpler terms, which has been incredible for my learning.
Makers provided a great 16-week bootcamp programme to prepare me before starting my work placement. The bootcamp taught me a lot about coding, problem solving and working with others. They also continue to offer resources, training and mentorship that fit my development needs.
I feel like I’m surrounded by people who really want to see me succeed, this motivates me to keep pushing myself and getting better. The combined experience from both Makers and DWP Digital has made this apprenticeship amazing so far and it’s given me the confidence to take on challenges and grow my career with DWP Digital.
The culture at DWP Digital is very friendly and supportive. Everyone is willing to help each other and there’s a strong focus on encouraging colleagues’ career growth. We genuinely want to see each other succeed, creating a positive and motivating atmosphere.
I like that DWP Digital is a large organisation with many different teams and areas of work. This means there are plenty of opportunities for career progression. There is still so much I don’t know yet and that excites me because I’m constantly learning. I’m never doing the same thing every day, which keeps the work fresh and enjoyable.
There will always be people doubting you, and sometimes you might doubt yourself, but if you work hard enough, anyone can achieve their goals.
There are risks in life, so don’t be afraid to take the leap and switch to a career in tech even if you think it might be too late, as this is exactly what I did.
I was born profoundly deaf, but I haven’t allowed that to hold me back. If you’re from a similar background, find and accept the support you need, never let your disability hold you back.
I truly believe that anyone can do anything if they put in the effort and stay committed. Keep pushing yourself and don’t give up on your dreams.
Yes, especially in terms of disability, gender, race, and background. For example, women make up about 26% of the tech workforce from a study by Tech Nation, showing there’s work to be done. However, I’m starting to see more companies making an effort to improve diversity and create more inclusive environments. There’s still a long way to go, but I believe that increasing diversity in tech will bring new ideas and a better work environment.
In my experience, DWP Digital offers one of the most diverse working environments which I really appreciate. It’s not just about having people from different backgrounds, but also about respecting all abilities. Knowing that I’m not the only deaf person in DWP Digital helps me feel more motivated at work, and it gives me confidence that disabilities are valued and supported here.
I think the main issue with the lack of diversity is that people from different backgrounds are often not given the same opportunities to get into the tech industry. This can be due to unconscious bias, lack of access to education or not enough support for those who are different.
As a result, the tech industry misses out on many talented people who could bring fresh ideas and different perspectives. Improving diversity can help make the industry stronger and more creative. It would also give people with disabilities hope, knowing they have a fair chance to apply for roles in tech and be valued for their skills.
Yes. One of the main challenges I faced was ensuring that I had a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter available when I enrolled in my Level 2/3 courses and for apprenticeship interviews. Many companies are unwilling to provide a BSL interpreter for interviews making it difficult for me to access opportunities.
I overcome barriers by using BSL interpreters who use SSE (Sign Supported English). SSE is a system that follows the structure of English, which is important for understanding technical jargon commonly used in the tech industry. BSL, on the other hand, often cuts out words and doesn’t fully translate everything being said, making it harder to follow detailed technical discussions. SSE keeps the flow of the conversation intact, helping me understand everything more clearly.
My team has been very supportive, they’ve adapted to my communication methods and have been patient, enabling me to exceed in DWP Digital.
Over the next year, I hope to pass my apprenticeship with high grades and earn a promotion. I would also like the responsibility of mentoring a deaf apprentice one day. Most importantly, I would love to continue my career with DWP Digital and grow within the organisation.