TechTrack is a Level 4 digital apprenticeship programme that helps people develop technical skills through structured learning and practical experience. We spoke to Sophie Metcalf, one of the first TechTrack software developer apprentices, about changing careers and working in digital government. Sophie previously worked in education and joined the programme with no prior experience in digital and data. She passed her end-point assessment with a distinction, and has since been promoted to a software developer in the Ministry of Justice.
How has the TechTrack apprenticeship helped you move into a digital role?The TechTrack apprenticeship has been instrumental in helping me transition into a digital role. Coming from a background in education with no prior experience or qualifications in development, it has required a big shift in ways of working and has involved learning a whole new technical skill set. The apprenticeship allowed me to learn the technical skills I need in a hands-on, practical way, directly from experienced professionals. I have found this such an effective way to learn, allowing me to contribute to projects as I learn.
What has surprised you most about working in a digital role in government?As this was such a big change for me, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first started this process, but I have had a very positive experience of working in a digital government team. I have had a great deal of support from everyone, and I really feel that I have been set up for success from day one. The range of expertise and experience in teams is evident, and I have been lucky to be able to learn from some talented people.
What’s been the most rewarding part of changing careers?I feel very fortunate that I’ve been able to begin my technical career in the Civil Service, because it has allowed me to be part of an organisation that is making a real difference through the work we’re doing. I have been able to draw on skills from my previous career such as communication, organisation and problem-solving, applying them in a new context to collaborate effectively with others, manage the workload of being a developer and completing an apprenticeship, and approaching technical challenges.
What kind of real-world impact have you been able to make in your role so far?I think one of the best things about an apprenticeship is that you are doing the job from almost day one, meaning that I have felt able to add value to my team from early in my placement. In a relatively short time, I’ve been able to contribute to codebases, adding new features and fixing bugs. I’ve been able to gradually take on more responsibility as my confidence and skills have grown. This has allowed me to make a meaningful difference, while still undertaking my own learning journey.
What 3 words sum up your apprenticeship?SupportiveI constantly felt encouraged and supported, which improved my confidence and helped make difficult things easier to navigate. TransformativeCompleting the apprenticeship has changed the way I work, think, and approach my work. It has also given me a career I love and am proud of. MotivatingIt has inspired me to push myself and take initiative and has helped me prove to myself that I am capable of learning, adapting to, and succeeding in a completely new field.
What would you say to someone considering an apprenticeship in digital?I would (and have) recommend this apprenticeship to anyone who wants a career in digital. The support, opportunities and learning experiences have been fantastic.
For departments, apprenticeships offer a way to develop digital capability while widening the routes through which people can enter government technology careers. Sophie’s experience also shows that apprentices can contribute to live work as they develop their skills, bringing transferable experience from previous roles. To find out more about TechTrack apprentices, department leads can contact the TechTrack team.
https://cddo.blog.gov.uk/2026/09/28/how-techtrack-helped-sophie-start-a-digital-career/
seen at 09:32, 28 September in Government Digital and Data.