About this apprenticeship
What it involves
DevOps engineers bridge the gap between software development and IT operations, helping teams to build, test, and release software faster and more reliably. You will automate infrastructure, manage cloud environments, and implement continuous integration and deployment pipelines. It is a high-demand technology role with strong career progression into senior engineering, platform, and cloud architecture positions.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
Infrastructure as code using tools like Terraform or Ansible
CI/CD pipeline design using Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or similar
Containerisation with Docker and orchestration with Kubernetes
Monitoring, alerting, and observability for production systems
Security best practices for cloud and software delivery (DevSecOps)
Scripting in Python, Bash, or PowerShell to automate tasks
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Build and maintain automated pipelines that test and deploy code
Provision cloud infrastructure using code rather than manual configuration
Monitor system performance and investigate alerts or incidents
Collaborate with developers to improve build speed and reliability
Manage container deployments and update Kubernetes configurations
Review and improve security controls across the delivery pipeline
Write runbooks and documentation for operational processes
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 4 (Higher) - roughly Foundation-degree level. Usually needs Level 3 (A-levels, a T-Level, or an Advanced apprenticeship) or relevant experience.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 5/6 apprenticeship or a more senior role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
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What it’s really like
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