Entry Level Programmer jobs in England

Please note that this is an apprenticeship position and therefore anyone with more than six months professional experience working as a software developer or who holds either a degree or Master’s degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering will not be eligible.

You will also need to commit to completing a Level 4 Software Developer Apprenticeship.

Who We Are

We are The Frontline Group, the UK’s leading retail sales, marketing and distribution company working within publishing and home entertainment. We pride ourselves on our honesty and integrity, we place client value at the centre of every decision we make and are constantly finding new ways to overcome challenges. We are committed to working and developing people who work hard to achieve greatness. If you are someone who enjoys problem solving, challenging ideas and has an analytical approach then this role could be for you.

Job Purpose

This apprenticeship provides an entry point into software development within a technology function that is improving engineering standards and moving towards a scalable, cloud‑first environment.

As an Apprentice Developer, you will learn how applications are built, maintained and supported. You will gain experience across both established and modern systems, gradually developing the skills needed to contribute to real products and services. You will be supported by experienced developers, mentors and an external training provider throughout your Level 4 apprenticeship.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

Learning & Development

• Build foundational skills in C#, .NET, JavaScript/TypeScript, SQL and frontend development.

• Learn how cloud‑hosted applications operate, including introductory exposure to Azure.

• Develop an understanding of Agile practices such as stand‑ups, sprint planning and retrospectives.

• Shadow experienced developers to learn coding standards, design approaches and engineering practices.

• Complete apprenticeship learning modules, assessments and project work with support.

Operational & Team Support

• Support the investigation of low‑complexity issues, learning how to diagnose and resolve problems.

• Learn how applications integrate with data platforms and downstream systems.

• Work collaboratively with developers, QA, Service Desk, Infrastructure and Product teams.

• Follow secure development principles, including safe handling of data and authentication basics.

Technical Contribution (Progressive Over Time)

• Assist with development tasks under guidance, such as updating components or fixing low‑risk issues.

• Support the maintenance of internal tools and application features.

• Learn how REST APIs work and contribute to basic API or integration tasks.

• Write maintainable code following guidance from senior engineers.

• Contribute to documentation, including technical notes and process descriptions.

• Participate in code reviews as a learner, gradually building confidence in giving and receiving feedback.

Technology Environment You Will Learn

You will gain exposure to the organisation’s technology stack, including:

• .NET and .NET Core

• C# and REST APIs

• React and modern frontend development

• SQL and relational databases

• Azure cloud services

• Azure DevOps and CI/CD pipelines

• Containerisation (Docker)

• Modern data platforms such as Snowflake or Microsoft Fabric

No prior experience with these technologies is required.

Skills & Behaviours

Essential

• Interest in software development and technology.

• Curiosity and willingness to learn.

• Ability to follow guidance and work methodically.

• Good communication and teamwork skills.

• Problem‑solving mindset.

• Prior exposure to coding (school, college, online courses or personal projects).

• Basic understanding of web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript).

What Good Looks Like in This Role

By the end of the apprenticeship, the apprentice should be able to:

• Contribute to development tasks with increasing independence.

• Understand and follow coding standards and best practices.

• Navigate an established codebase with support.

• Participate effectively in Agile ceremonies.

• Support simple production issues with guidance.

• Demonstrate good engineering discipline, including testing and documentation.

Essential Qualifications:

• 7 GCSE’s (or equivalent) at grades 9-4 or A-C including maths and English

• 3 A Levels (or equivalent) at grades A-C in any subject but preferably one in a numerical or computing subject (e.g. maths, Science, Computer Science etc

Applications will also be considered from graduates with non-computer science / software development degrees looking for an apprenticeship route to a development career.

Salary: £22,750

Location: We are based in Peterborough (PE1 5DD) and offer an informal hybrid working model, with a minimum of 8 office days, in the Peterborough office, every 4 weeks. It is anticipated that the successful candidate is likely to have a commute of 1hr 15mins or less.

Training to be provided

As part of the Level 4 Software Developer apprenticeship standard, you’ll be registered as a member with the British Computer Society and be on a fast track to an industry recognised qualification and your dedicated industry coach will support you through a blended approach that will include remote, in person, 1-2-1 and group learning.

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