2026 Apprentice - Digital (Software Development) - Belfast

PA Consulting Group; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in Belfast is looking for a Digital Apprentice to join their team in 2026. This role offers hands-on experience in software development, fostering skills through real-life projects while working alongside experienced developers. You will learn technology best practices, participate in client meetings, and contribute to innovative solutions. Candidates should demonstrate a passion for technology and strong problem-solving capabilities. The position allows for a hybrid work model, requiring office presence at least twice a week.

Benefits

Health and lifestyle perks

25 days annual leave

Generous company pension scheme

Annual performance-based bonus

Tax efficient benefits

Qualifications

• Technical understanding featuring in personal projects.
• Growth-oriented and curious, driven to succeed.
• Professional and reliable workplace etiquette.

Responsibilities

• Develop custom software solutions with experienced team.
• Learn and apply software development best practices.
• Participate in client meetings to understand needs.

Skills

Passion for technology

Collaborative and relationship-focused

Strong problem-solving abilities

Excellent communication skills

Education

Secure a place on the degree course

Job description

2026 Apprentice - Digital (Software Development) - Belfast

CLOSING DATE - This role will close for applications on Friday 20th February at 4pm

We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future.

As strategies, technologies, and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity.

Our teams of interdisciplinary experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results.

We are over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists. And we have deep expertise in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport.

Our teams operate globally from offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands.

PA. Bringing Ingenuity to Life.

PA are delighted to be recruiting digital apprentices into our Belfast location again in 2026, building on the continued success of the programme. We can offer you unique opportunities to develop your skills and gain hands-on software development experience on some of the most the complex digital initiatives, where you’ll be using contemporary coding platforms and modern tooling – working alongside our top digital talent. First, a little bit about us and what we believe in.

We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future.

As strategies, technologies and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity. In the ever-evolving landscape of digital technologies, including the transformative realm of artificial intelligence (AI),

we believe that embracing digital has changed businesses forever. Organisations that have embraced digital, including the integration of AI, are leading their industry and influencing others – and those that haven’t are falling behind.

We work alongside clients across a broad range of sectors including Government, Health, Financial Services, Consumer, Defence and Transport, to help them take the opportunities of digital and data innovation for their customers, people, and organisations. Joining us as an Apprentice, you will work on a variety of real-life client projects deliveringinnovative software or data-driven solutions to our clients' most critical business needs.

During your time on the Apprenticeship at PA, you’ll learn much of what it takes to be a top-notch software developer and consultant. You’ll be coached and guided by experts and have countless opportunities to broaden your experience on challenging projects and programmes. Whatever you work on, you’ll be part of the team and free to grow your networks, both here at PA and far beyond.

You will be required to secure a place on this course to begin your apprenticeship with PA. Your application to UU is separate to your application to PA, and you must apply directly with UU to secure a place on their degree course. We will not be able to apply for you.

Key Responsibilities:

Working with a team of experienced software developers and consultants to understand client requirements and develop custom software solutions

Learning and implementing new technologies and software development best practices

Participating in code reviews and ensuring high levels of code quality

Participating in meetings with clients to understand their requirements and provide solutions

Writing documentation and conduct training sessions to clients

Continuously improving your skills and knowledge in software development

Assessment process

Application form

Online Assessments - we will invite you to complete this within a week of submitting your application

Shortlisting - once the role has closed, our teams will review all applications and shortlist for our assessment events. This can take some time but we will keep you updated on progress regularly

Final Stage Assessment Centre- these will take place in March/April and is likely to be an in person assessment event

CLOSING DATE - This role will close for applications on Friday 20th February at 4pm

Our Offer:

The opportunity to work alongside and learn from talented colleagues on real client challenges from the start

The support and coaching to grow your software development skills and experience on real client work, tackling real world technical and business challenges

The opportunity to work across all areas of the development lifecycle, from strategy to implementation, and to take on assignments in different sectors

To work closely with test and DevOps specialists as well as service managers on automated software releases from development to production

The opportunity to develop software and provide high-level technical designs in collaboration with business analysts, software architects, user researcher and experience designers

A broad rich base of experience from which to build an outstanding digital career

Full time role with time allowed – 20% - to participate in your apprentice programme

Hybrid working – you’ll be in the office or on client site a minimum of 2 days per week. You will need to ensure you live within a commutable distance to the office

Salary potential: £26,230

This role will start in September 2026

A career at PA is what you make of it — so power your curiosity and prepare to make an impact.

Technical understanding: A passion for technology that features in your personal projects

Growth-oriented and curious— open to change, driven to succeed, hungry for new challenges, and eager to broaden your understanding of the world.

Collaborative and relationship-focused— thrive in dynamic teams, build strong relationships with clients and peers, and support others to succeed.

Credible and communicative— comfortable in high-performance environments, with excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Analytical and adaptable— demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, innovative thinking, and the flexibility to adapt your style and approach. A passion for data.

Professional and reliable— show strong workplace etiquette by being punctual, dependable, and respectful of business expectations and office conduct.

We know the skill-gap and ‘somewhat need to tick every box’ can get in the way of meeting brilliant candidates, so please don’t hesitate to apply – we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today by completing our online application

Please be aware that some of our UK roles at PA Consulting require a UK security clearance.

All PA people are required to undergo background checks and to achieve the Baseline Personnel Security Standard however, some UK roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting, where applicants must have at least 5 years of continuous residency in the UK.

We therefore ask that you only apply if you meet the residency requirements (i.e. you are a British citizen or have been resident in the UK for the past 5 years), as this is the prerequisite for a security clearance. If you're unsure about your eligibility, we encourage you to review the UK Government’s guidance on security vetting before applying.

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Additional information

Life At PA encompasses our peoples' experience at PA. It's about how we enrich peoples’ working lives by giving them access to unique people and growth opportunities and purpose led meaningful work.

Our purpose guides how we work with our clients and our teams, and support our communities, to deliver insight and impact, solving the world’s most complex challenges. We're focused on building a workplace that values human difference and diverse mindsets, and a culture of inclusion and equality that unlocks the potential in our people so everyone can be their best self.

We are dedicated to supporting the physical, emotional, social and financial well-being of our people. Check out some of our extensive benefits:

• Health and lifestyle perks accompanying private healthcare
• 25 days annual leave (plus a bonus half day on Christmas Eve) with the opportunity to buy 5 additional days
• Generous company pension scheme
• Opportunity to get involved with community and charity-based initiatives
• Annual performance-based bonus
• PA share ownership
• Tax efficient benefits (cycle to work, give as you earn)

We’re committed to advancing equality.We recruit, retain, reward and develop our people based solely on their abilities and contributions and without reference to their age, background, disability, genetic information, parental or family status, religion or belief, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (or expression), political belief, veteran status, or any other range of human difference brought about by identity and experience. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups.

Adjustments or accommodations - Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us on [e-mail]