Apprenticeship ยท Level 6 ยท ICT

Software Development Associate

A two-year apprenticeship building and testing software as part of a team. It suits people who like code and want to know how software and websites are built.

How apprenticeships work: you are hired by an approved employer and paid while you learn, mixing work with blocks of training in a college or training centre. You don't apply through the CAO and you don't need CAO points.

Key facts

How long
2 years
Award
QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Computer Programming
Where you train
  • National programme co-ordinated by Fastrack into Information Technology (FIT)
Pay
Employer pays a salary. About โ‚ฌ312 per week in year 1 and โ‚ฌ408 per week in year 2.
Costs
No student contribution is required.

Entry requirements

  • You must be hired by an employer approved by SOLAS
  • Full eligibility criteria are in the Software Development Associate apprenticeship brochure

How to apply

You must be hired by an approved employer. Search the Apprenticeship Jobs page or apply online on the FIT website.

Apply Online (FIT) โ†— Official page on apprenticeship.ie โ†—

What you'll learn

  • Writing professional quality code
  • Building user interfaces
  • Testing code and fixing errors
  • Debugging and problem solving
  • Data models and software design

Where it can lead

  • Software development associate in the ICT industry (design, development, sales, installation, maintenance)

Useful Leaving Cert subjects

Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Technology

These help with the content of the programme; they are not entry requirements unless listed above.

Other ICT apprenticeships

Tertiary degrees in ICT

Not sure which route suits you?

Our CAO Interest Test matches you to course areas, and now shows apprenticeships and tertiary degrees in your strongest areas too.

Take the CAO Interest Test โ†’ Try the free 3-minute test

Information from apprenticeship.ie, checked November 2026. Details can change, so always confirm on the official page before applying.