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JavaScript and TypeScript (backend) - Transferring to Ruby at GDS

Are you an experienced software engineer looking to re-enter the industry, but unsure of where to start? Perhaps you feel less confident this time around, or are coming across barriers when applying for jobs?

If so, our backend JavaScript and TypeScript 9-week course in partnership with our hiring partner, Government Digital Service (GDS), is the perfect avenue to get you back to a job in tech and back to feeling confident. 

The best part? It’s completely free and you’re guaranteed a job interview with GDS upon completion! 

This programme has kindly been sponsored by global technology consultancy, Thoughtworks.

The course explained Learn more on our webinar
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The course explained Learn more on our webinar
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Are you ready to return to tech?

Apply now!

Key dates

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Important dates for your calendar!

Join our webinar: 5 December 2023 @ 1pm – 2pm GMT.

Application deadline: 9 January 2024
Programme duration: 22 January – 22 March 2024

Tech: JavaScript and TypeScript – backend
Cost: Free
Location: Online
Places available: 8

Employer: Government Digital Service (GDS)
Roles available: Mid/Senior Developers
Location of roles: Manchester, UK

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GDS

Meet GDS

Our hiring partner for this 9 week JavaScript and TypeScript course is Government Digital Service (GDS).

GDS is here to design and protect the user experience of digital government for everyone.

“We’re known for our ability to make things happen: to deliver exceptional digital initiatives at pace, right from the centre of government. And GDS is where talent translates into impact. From your first day, you’ll be working with some of the world’s most highly-skilled digital professionals, all contributing their knowledge to make change on a national scale.”

 

“We solve some of the nation’s highest-priority digital challenges, helping millions of people access services they need. It’s rewarding work that makes a difference across the UK.

And we make that impact supported by an inclusive workplace, with world-class learning provision and a flexible, hybrid approach we can shape around our needs.

GDS offers hybrid working for all employees. This means that everyone does some working from home and also spends some time in their local office.”

Learn more about the culture at GDS by visiting their website!

Diversity and Inclusion at GDS

“At Government Digital Service (GDS) we value diversity and inclusion in our teams.  We’re looking for ways to reach under-represented candidates who we might be missing with our other recruitment campaigns.  We’re excited to work with Tech Returners to help people who’ve taken a career break find a new chapter in their career at GDS.  We’d like to help candidates build confidence and re-enter the world of software engineering through our inclusive and supportive culture.  There are opportunities to learn new skills whilst improving user experience of digital government for everyone.”
James Kirk, Head of Software Engineering, GDS
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offices based in London, Manchester and Bristol

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product managers, software engineers, designers, researchers, technical architects and other specialists

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million people use their software products and services

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GDS believe that diverse teams are better. GDS work to make sure that everyone has a fair and equitable experience of being on the team and progressing in the team.

Erin Robinson, Chief Operating Officer

“At GDS I'm able to balance a career I love with focusing on my growing family. It makes me so proud seeing the impact our work has across the UK. That I get to do such important work while having the flexibility to decide my own working pattern is incredible.”

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Emily Carey, Client Partner - Public Sector, Thoughtworks

“Thoughtworks has always been passionate about diversity and inclusion, and we realise that the tech industry is not as equitable as it should be. We are looking forward to our partnership with GDS and Tech Returners who support returners to reignite their career in technology. We wish this year’s cohort good luck with their training and paving the way for a more diverse, inclusive and equitable tech industry.”

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The roles available with GDS

Roles: Mid/Senior Developers
Salary: £50,694 – £57,000 (up to £75,328 for senior developers)
Location: Manchester (commutable distance from Manchester with good transport links)
Position type: 12-month fixed term appointment
Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)
Working patterns available: Part Time; Job Share; Flexible Working; Condensed Hours
Clearance level: BPSS

Please note: The roles with GDS primarily uses Ruby on Rails but you’ll also be using your web development skills from the programme where you’ll learn to master technologies such as HTML, CSS and JS/TS.

Don’t hesitate to apply for this programme, even if you haven’t worked with Ruby on Rails before. GDS understands that many applicants may not have prior experience with it, and they’re committed to offering training and upskilling support. Not having Ruby on Rails experience won’t put you at a disadvantage in your application for this programme or role.

There are limited places available on this free programme. We encourage you to apply at your earliest convenience!

Job description: As a Developer on GOV.UK, you’ll:

  • work as part of a multi-disciplinary agile team, getting involved with every part of the lifecycle of a service, from user research to continuously deploying.
  • code to production in our AWS environments.
  • build robust, performant Ruby on Rails web services to serve a variety of citizen and government needs, taking responsibility for the quality of code you produce.
  • implement tooling and automation to support development, operation, reliability, security and continuous improvement of the systems you work on.
  • support the live operation of the services we run, and participate in out-of-hours support rotas where necessary – you’ll be paid an allowance,and a further hourly payment, for any duties you perform when on call.
  • share your work and the things you’ve learned through blog posts and show and tells, with the option of presenting at conferences and meetups.
  • use your learning and development budget to develop your career.
  • help recruit other developers and, where appropriate, get involved with sifting and interviewing.

Person specification: The skills we would expect a Developer to have:

  • experience in back-end development, with knowledge of Ruby and Ruby on Rails.
  • an awareness of technologies used for cloud based web applications, suchas databases, backups, CDNs and containerisation, and of Unix-like operating systems such as Linux and Mac OS.
  • understanding of software design principles, and an ability to apply them.
  • familiarity with modern software development approaches such as automated testing, test driven development, continuous integration, pair programming, code review and version control.
  • understanding of common web security risks such as OWASP Top 10, and the corresponding mitigations.
  • enjoy researching and learning new programming tools and techniques and sharing their skills with others.
  • have experience working in a collaborative environment, and an understanding of the benefits of agile and multi-disciplinary approaches.
  • a desire to use their skills and experience to make a genuine difference, and to work on important services that are used by millions of people.

In addition to the above, Senior Developers would also:

  • provide technical leadership within a team, advising and working with
    developers to identify the best approaches and solutions.
  • take responsibility for solving complex issues, drawing upon a broad knowledge of web technologies.
  • have proven experience of modern software development approaches.
  • including automated testing, test driven development, continuous integration, pair programming, code review and version control.
  • have experience in management, helping colleagues with their career development and coaching more junior staff members.
  • share knowledge among the GDS teams, ensuring that your team is understood by others and understanding the working of the wider organisation.

If you meet a few of those criteria but think that you might not meet every last one then don’t let that stop you from submitting an application.

Ready to apply?

Head to our application page
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Employee Benefits

  • On top of your salary, there’s a range of benefits and support available to employees at GDS. Click the arrow to see the list of benefits...

  • The Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an average employer contribution rate of 27%. 25 days annual leave – increasing by a day each year up to 30 days – plus an extra day off for the King’s birthday. Flexible working, with hybrid working between the home and office and opportunities to work compressed hours, part-time and job sharing. An in-year bonus scheme.

  • A training budget you can use for courses, books or conferences. Supportive financing for season ticket travel, eye care, cycle-to-work and much more. 12 weeks full pay for maternity and adoption leave, and 12 consecutive days for paternity leave. And more...

Questions you may have

This programme is designed for experienced tech professionals who have taken a career break of 6 months or longer and are now seeking to re-enter the industry.

Tech Returners is for people who have previous commercial experience of software engineering and want to return to their career. Whether that break was due to maternity leave, starting a business, travel, or caregiving responsibilities—whatever the reason for your time away—we’re here to provide the support you need to seamlessly transition back into your software career.

We understand that returning to the tech industry after a break can be daunting, but rest assured, our team is experienced in working with people returning to tech and know exactly how to help you reach your full potential. Aside from that, they’re also a lovely bunch of people!

For this programme, we have partnered with GDS. GDS exists to help government make brilliant public services that empower people in the UK. GDS has committed to interviewing everyone who participates in this programme and will be hiring for multiple roles.

Interview support will be provided to all Returners on the programme with a view to setting you up for success. If you are successful after all interview stages, you will officially start employment with GDS.

This programme has kindly been funded by global technology consultancy, Thoughtworks enabling us to offer free (fully funded) places for all Returners.

While our Tech Returners programme is delivered remotely, jobs with GDS require hybrid working at their Manchester location, with employees being required to spend 60% of their time at the office (i.e. 3 days a week for full time employees).

  • Flexible working 
    We are flexible in how, when and where we work and can choose what works for us.  How we decide to work can be captured in each person’s ‘manual of me’. Whether you like the 9 – 5, want to start earlier or later, want to condense time into fewer days to give yourself a non working day once a week or fortnight. The way you work should suit you and your wider life.
  • Inspiring workspaces
    Getting the best from our locations and buildings. Creative office spaces that inspire. Whether you’re based in London, Bristol or looking forward to our brand new space in Manchester we want everyone’s experience of working in GDS to be vibrant, lively and steeped in GDS culture. Spaces to celebrate, spaces to collaborate, spaces that make you feel at home
  • Hybrid working 
    We are an inclusive workforce with the technology and tools that allow us to do our best, wherever we choose to work. As much as we love people coming together in the office to solve complex problems, we also want to balance it with time and space for you to work from home. After all it’s what you do, not where you do it, that matters.
  • Support for parents and carers
    Working with parents and carers to create a flexible and supportive work life. We want to make GDS as inclusive as possible and that includes space for a family life. Whether it’s term time working, taking time off to celebrate your families milestones and special events we want to support you as much as possible.

There are many benefits of working at GDS, including:

  • flexible hybrid working with flexi-time and the option to work part-time or
    condensed hours.
  • a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%.
  • 25 days of annual leave, increasing by a day each year up to a maximum of
    30 days.
  • an extra day off for The King’s birthday.
  • an in-year bonus scheme to recognise high performance.
  • career progression and coaching, including a training budget for personal
    development.
  • paid volunteering leave.
  • a focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme.
  • job satisfaction from making government services easier to use and more
    inclusive for people across the UK.
  • advances on pay, including for travel season tickets.
  • death in service benefits.
  • cycle to work scheme and facilities.
  • access to children’s holiday play schemes across different locations in
    central London.
  • access to an employee discounts scheme.
  • 10 learning days per year.
  • volunteering opportunities (5 special leave days per year).
  • access to a suite of learning activities through Civil Service learning

Tech stack: JavaScript and TypeScript – backend
Programme duration: 9 weeks 
Location: Online
Weekly hours: This is a full-time programme and we expect you to spend around 30-35 hours a week on it
Course fees: Free

Refreshing your technical skills: Through a combination of teaching sessions, workshops, and practical projects, you will gain a deep understanding of modern JavaScript and TypeScript.We’ll help you hone your skills, refresh your knowledge, and provide you with the latest insights into the tech industry.

You will be supported throughout by our team of knowledgeable and dedicated tech coaches and mentors who collectively hold over 25 years of combined industry experience. They will provide you with clear, personalised, and actionable feedback on your work and will be on hand to answer questions or point you to further resources

Career and confidence building: But it’s not just about technical skills. You’ll also receive bespoke Career and Mindset coaching to help you build the skills needed to excel in your career, like rebuilding your confidence, framing your career break positively, and navigating job interviews.

Please note: The roles with GDS primarily uses Ruby on Rails but you’ll also be using your web development skills from the programme where you’ll learn to master technologies such as HTML, CSS and JS/TS.

Don’t hesitate to apply for this programme, even if you haven’t worked with Ruby on Rails before. GDS understands that many applicants may not have prior experience with it, and they’re committed to offering training and upskilling support. Not having Ruby on Rails experience won’t put you at a disadvantage in your application for this programme or role.

The Tech Returners JavaScript & TypeScript programme is split up into distinct sections. Each section includes a blend of both technical and Career and Mindset coaching. Let’s dive into the details!

Please note:

The roles with GDS primarily uses Ruby on Rails but you’ll also be using your web development skills from the programme where you’ll learn to master technologies such as HTML, CSS and JS/TS.

Don’t hesitate to apply for this programme, even if you haven’t worked with Ruby on Rails before. GDS understands that many applicants may not have prior experience with it, and they’re committed to offering training and upskilling support. Not having Ruby on Rails experience won’t put you at a disadvantage in your application for this programme or role.

Pre-Journey 

Technical:

  • Light technical warmup, featuring refreshers & introductions to topics such as Git Version Control, HTML and code quality.

Career and mindset:

  • Building your confidence
  • Getting into a growth mindset

Software Fundamentals

Technical:

  • Intro to HTML
  • Modern JavaScript
  • CSS Key Concepts
  • Advanced JavaScript
  • Runtimes, Modules & TypeScript
  • Intro to TypeScript
  • Semantic HTML & Accessibility
  • Software Testing & TDD
  • Asynchronous code
  • Advanced TypeScript
  • Kata Seminar & Mars Rover Kickoff
  • Algorithms & Debugging
  • Data Structures
  • Testing Practices & Principles
  • Mars Rover Presentations

Career and mindset:

  • Goal Setting Workshop
  • Reframing your break
  • Dealing with impostor syndrome
  • Building your emotional resilience
  • Giving & Receiving Feedback

Backend

Technical:

  • Design patterns
  • Intro to HTTP
  • Database setup
  • Data & Databases
  • Intro to MVC & APIs
  • Testing APIs & Connecting to Databases

Career and mindset:

  • Identifying your strengths
  • How to build rapport with interviewers
  • Communicating your Experience
  • CV Workshop
  • Owning your Tech-spertise
  • Reverse-engineering a job description
  • Interview Prep Workshop

(Sessions are subject to change)

 

To be eligible to join this course and to be considered for a role with The Government Digital Service you must be able to attain Security Clearance and meet each of the following standards*.

 

  • To have had a career break of at least 6 months, and be committed to returning to technology via the Tech Returners programme.
  • You are a UK national, a national of a Commonwealth country, a national of the Republic of Ireland, or a national from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status.
  • You have lived continuously in the UK for the last 6 months.
  • You have permanent right to work in the UK.
  • You agree to a check of any unspent criminal convictions you may have.

Your eligibility for this programme is also dependent on your ability to work in Manchester on a hybrid basis.*

  • Live in Manchester.
  • Live within a commutable distance from Manchester.
  • Or happy to relocate to Manchester (There’s no relocation package).

Further information about Security Clearance vetting can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vetting-explained-and-our-vetting-charter/vetting-explained

Our programmes provide the support and coaching you need to get back to a career in tech. You may feel a bit ‘rusty’ or low in confidence but that’s why we’re here – to catch you in, not catch you out!

Let’s run through how to apply for Tech Returners courses. Our application process is as follows:

  1. Complete the application form: First stop is to complete our application form which asks a few simple questions about you and the programme you’re interested in.
  2. Book an introduction call: Now that you’ve applied, it’s time to book your Introduction Call with a member of our friendly team. In this 10-20 minute call, we’ll discuss your eligibility plus the next steps in the process. There’s no need to worry and nothing to prepare before the call. This is a great opportunity to get to know each other and for you to ask any questions that you might have! You’ll receive a link to set up your account to book your introduction call. For the best experience, make sure you’ve got a strong signal and a quiet space during the call.
  3. Complete our tech task: At this stage, you need to complete a short tech task to help us understand how you approach your code.
  4. Complete our behavioural interview: Finally, there’s an online behavioural interview. This interview will be conducted in a safe and friendly manner and is nothing to be afraid of! Once you’ve successfully passed this stage, you’ll get an offer to join our Tech Returners programme!
  5. Start the course: If you’ve been successful, you’ll start your journey to returning to tech!

Please note: This is a full-time programme and we expect you to spend around 30-35 hours a week on it. The sessions and group work usually take place during the day from Mondays to Thursdays, so we recommend that you keep those days free each week for the duration of the course.

Sessions run between 10am and 3pm (parents, we see you!) and are all delivered remotely via Zoom and Google Classroom. The remainder of the hours are up to you to spend on assignments and independent learning.

The Tech Returners programme has received funding from global technology consultancy, Thoughtworks in collaboration with GDS, enabling us to offer free (fully funded) places for all Returners.

 

Thoughtworks is a leading global technology consultancy that integrates strategy, design and software engineering to enable enterprises and technology disruptors to thrive. For over 30 years, Thoughtworks has been at the forefront of digital innovation and has vast experience creating adaptable technology platforms, designing world-class digital products and harnessing the power of data and AI to unlock new sources of value.

Find out more here.

 

If you are not successful in your GDS interview – don’t worry! We have a dedicated team here at Tech Returners who work to identify career opportunities for after the programme.

Our Returner Placement Team will support you in sourcing interviews and initiating contact with progressive companies who want to hire Returners like yourself.

At Tech Returners, our main goal is getting as many experienced Returners back into the industry as possible, so you can be confident that we will be working hard to find opportunities! 

We believe that you’ll be in a great position on completion of this programme to secure a job in software engineering.

Not only will you be an individual with tech experience and would have gained valuable transferable skills on your career break, but by completing the course, you’ll be leaving with refreshed tech skills and increased confidence, armed with techniques that help you showcase yourself and your expertise to potential hiring partners.

What company wouldn’t want a Returner like that in their tech team?!

You can read more about past Returners who have had success with us – click here…

Revive your software career today!

We know it’s been a while since you’ve been in tech, but guess what? It’s never too late to reignite your passion and dive back into the amazing world of technology!

Apply today with the confidence that we’re here to provide the support you need to succeed

 

Apply today!

Apply now!