Software Testing Masterclass
Equip Your Students for
IT Success with
Industry-Ready Skills
A Curriculum Boost for
Future IT Leaders
The world runs on software – from apps to websites to games – and skilled testers are in high demand. Our Software Testing Masterclass offers your students the skills employers demand, preparing them to excel in IT careers.
Seamlessly integrated into your curriculum, this course builds a pipeline of exceptional talent, enhancing your school’s reputation for producing job-ready graduates.
Students gain transferable skills and our Software Testing Certificate – your investment in their future starts here.
TIME
MONEY
REPUTATION
The self-paced format seamlessly integrates into school timetables, allowing students to develop valuable software testing skills at their own pace.
Affordable training fits budgets, laying a strong foundation for students to pursue successful IT careers.
Expertise in software testing enhances the school’s reputation while equipping students to launch thriving careers in technology.
Who Is Onion Training?
Onion Training is a UK-based ed-tech company dedicated to closing the software-testing skills gap. Founded by consultants Mark and Manjit, the firm distils more than five decades of industry know-how into an engaging, self-paced masterclass.
Born from a passion to bridge the gap in accessible, high-quality training, Onion emerged to address the lack of coherent resources for aspiring testers. Named for the process of peeling back layers of code to uncover bugs, Onion Training delivers a comprehensive, beginner-friendly Software Testing Masterclass to empower young professionals to thrive in tech.
Our mission: to equip students with the knowledge and practical skills to succeed in a dynamic industry.
Meet the Founders
I’m Mark, the co-founder of Onion Training Academy. I bring nearly three decades of software testing expertise. My journey began back in the 80s aboard HMS Repulse (nuclear powered submarine), eventually leading me to work with prestigious names like Sony, Nokia, EE, Virgin and more. The 80s marked the inception of my software testing journey, but it was in 1998 when I embarked on a contracting adventure with Viag Interkom in Munich.
Testing, to me, is a world of endless opportunities – a field where you’re never out of work and have the potential to earn substantially.
I’m Manjit, the other co-founder of Onion Training Academy. My software testing experience spans 25 years and throughout my career, I’ve collaborated with notable names such as Symbian, Nokia, Visa, O2 and Virgin. Interestingly, my entry into software testing wasn’t planned. In 1998, fresh out of university I found myself thrust into a 3-month secondment to test a new billing system for Y2K compliance.
That unexpected experience ignited my passion for testing, propelling me into a journey that I wholeheartedly embraced.
Why Software Testing Matters
Software defects cost businesses £2.19 trillion annually. Poor testing can lead to financial losses, legal battles and reputational damage. Employers demand graduates who can prevent them. Here’s why testing belongs in your curriculum:
Defects don’t just occur in software – they originate in design and documentation. Poorly defined requirements, ambiguous specifications
and overlooked details can lead to costly defects down the line. Equip students with testing skills to ask the right questions, building a foundation for IT excellence and meeting employer expectations.
The Cost of Poor Testing
85% of failures from poor testing skills (Tricentis) – Upskill to avoid disasters.
70% of defects are preventable with proper testing (Steve McConnell) – Build proactive learners.
50% of budgets wasted on rework without testing (IEEE) – Keep projects on budget.
Post-release defect fixes cost 10x more (Code Intelligence) – Training slashes repair costs.
95% of critical defects are caught early with testing (IBM) – Stop problems before launch.
80% of firms see better delivery with training (Capgemini) – Align with industry needs.
Smoother releases, happier clients.
40% fewer complaints with trained testers (Software Testing Help) – Protect your reputation.
£4 saved for every £1 spent on testing (NIST) – High ROI for your budget.
Trained teams deliver software 25% faster (ISTQB) – Speed without compromise.
Trained testers cut defect rates by 30% (ISTQB Reports) – Raise student quality benchmarks
Why Our Training Works
At Onion Training, we offer a self-paced online course designed to arm students with industry-relevant software testing skills, aligning seamlessly with your educational objectives.
Our training equips students to identify, analyse and prevent software catastrophes – skills critical for IT careers – ensuring they can enhance efficiency, elevate product quality and minimise risks in real-world tech environments.
Self-Paced & Flexible – Self-paced online format complements timetables without disruption.
Hands-On, Practical Learning – Teaches testing fundamentals, defect management and techniques via exercises and quizzes.
Industry-Relevant Content – Covers ISTQB syllabus, preparing students for certification and IT roles.
Enhances Employability – Graduates with testing skills impress employers and universities.
Cost-Effective – Affordable pricing to fit school budgets, no extra resources needed.
Certification & Progress Tracking – Certificates for students; analytics for staff to track progress.
Broad Appeal – Suits beginners and advanced learners alike, enriching your IT offerings.
Life-time Access – digital resources, demo sites, 900+ term glossary, newsletters and lifetime course updates.
Students favour qualifications that pave the way to thriving careers. Our programme develops skills they can apply across IT roles, ensuring they’re ready to contribute from day one.
Onion Training Academy
7812
SUBSCRIBERS
50+ YEARS
COMBINED INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
200+
LESSONS
Why Self-Study Shapes Future Success
Self-study transforms students into confident, adaptable learners, perfectly preparing them for university challenges and workplace demands. It’s about more than just coursework, it builds a foundation for thriving in an ever-changing world.
- Cultivates Adaptability: Students learn to navigate new topics independently, a skill vital for higher education transitions.
- Strengthens Self-Reliance: Tackling learning on their own promotes resilience and decision-making for future careers.
- Boosts Career Readiness: Mastering self-directed skills allows them to tackle real-world projects with confidence.
- Encourages Lifelong Curiosity: It sparks a love for learning that extends beyond school into professional life.
- Enhances Time Management: Balancing self-study develops a key employability trait.
Who Benefits from This Training?
Students – developers to be
Aspiring developers gain a competitive edge by mastering software testing skills, enhancing their ability to contribute to high-quality development projects.
What You Gain: Learn testing techniques like functional and regression testing to ensure software reliability, complementing development work without coding.
Career Paths: Excel as a junior test analyst or QA assistant in development teams for industries like gaming, finance, or startups.
Progression: Prepare for ISTQB Foundation Certification, Level 4 software testing apprenticeships, or computer science degrees.
Why It Matters: Your testing expertise ensures flawless software, making you a valuable team member in development projects and boosting employability.
Future Quality Assurance Pros
Launch a rewarding career in quality assurance with hands-on skills that tech companies demand.
What You Gain: Master the Software Testing Life Cycle, defect management, and functional/non-functional testing, aligned with ISTQB standards.
Career Paths: Step into roles like QA analyst, test engineer, or automation tester in e-commerce, healthcare, or cybersecurity.
Progression: Achieve ISTQB Foundation Certification or advance to specialised testing certifications (e.g., ISTQB Agile Tester).
Why It Matters: QA professionals are critical to software success—your skills drive quality, opening doors to high-demand tech roles.
Project-Focused Learners
Discover how testing drives team success and develop leadership skills for managing tech projects.
What You Gain: Learn test management, Agile methodologies, and requirements analysis to coordinate testing efforts and deliver quality software.
Career Paths: Thrive as a test lead, project coordinator, or Scrum master in tech firms or project-driven sectors like construction IT.
Progression: Pursue project management certifications (e.g., PRINCE2) or Level 4 IT management qualifications.
Why It Matters: Your ability to align testing with project goals positions you as a leader, enhancing team outcomes and career growth.
Creative Techies
Bring your passion for apps and games to life by ensuring they run flawlessly, enhancing your creative portfolio.
What You Gain: Master usability, performance, and exploratory testing to create user-friendly, high-quality digital products, from apps to video games.
Career Paths: Become a usability tester, games tester, or UX specialist in creative industries like media, gaming, or edtech.
Progression: Advance towards UX design courses, ISTQB advanced certifications, or creative tech apprenticeships.
Why It Matters: Your testing skills deliver polished, portfolio-ready projects, showcasing your creativity to future employers.
IT Support Trainees
Enhance your troubleshooting expertise by learning to identify and resolve software issues before they escalate.
What You Gain: Develop skills in defect management, regression testing, and system validation to solve technical problems efficiently.
Career Paths: Excel as an IT support technician, helpdesk analyst, or systems administrator in corporate IT, retail, or public sectors.
Progression: Prepare for IT support certifications (e.g., CompTIA A+) or Level 3/4 IT apprenticeships.
Why It Matters: By catching issues early, you’ll save time and resources, becoming a go-to problem-solver in IT teams.
Data Learners
Ensure system reliability and data integrity by mastering testing techniques that protect critical tech infrastructure.
What You Gain: Learn security testing, performance testing, and data validation to safeguard systems and ensure accurate data processing.
Career Paths: Pursue roles like data quality analyst, security tester, or systems tester in finance, healthcare, or data-driven tech firms.
Progression: Advance to security certifications (e.g., Certified Ethical Hacker), data analytics courses, or ISTQB Foundation Certification.
Why It Matters: Your skills keep data systems trustworthy, supporting businesses that rely on data for decision-making and innovation.
Get a Tailored Quote for Your School Today
Labour Market Insights
High Demand: ~600–1,000 software tester/QA job ads monthly in the UK, reflecting strong demand in tech sectors like finance and gaming (Adzuna, 2025).
Growing Market: Software testing skills are in demand due to automation and Agile trends, with the global market expected to grow 9.1% annually (Cognitive Market Research, 2025).
Skills Shortage: A Significant shortage of testing skills is reported by UK tech employers, creating opportunities for qualified testers (Tech Nation, 2024).
Entry Salaries: Entry-level software testers earn £30k–£35k on average, with higher salaries in London (PayScale, Glassdoor, 2025).
Certification Boost: ISTQB Foundation certification can boost entry-level salaries by up to 15%, reaching £33k–£40k (PayScale, Glassdoor, 2025).
Career Growth: Experienced testers (5+ years) can earn £46k–£90k, depending on expertise and location (World Salaries, 2025).
Pricing and Benefits
Access special pricing for schools to deliver our Level 3 Software Testing course, aligned with the ISTQB Foundation syllabus, supporting Gatsby Benchmark 4.
Benefits Included:
Progress Tracking: Real-time analytics for teachers to monitor student progress.
Lifetime Access: Not a one-off course. Students get lifetime access to updated and new course materials (e.g., templates, demo sites, glossary) at no extra cost, investing in their future.
Career-Ready Skills: Prepares for ISTQB certification and roles like test analyst.
One-time fee per student for each cohort. Sign up by September 2025 to secure this pricing for 2025/26 enrollments.
Evidence of Impact
Our software testing course is highly rated, preparing students for tech careers. 5-star reviews on Trustpilot praise its clarity and career focus.
I have taken a software Quality Assurance course before so it was easy for me to see how great this course is compared to others. The modules were loaded with enough contents sufficient to get one started as a Quality Assurance Engineer. In addition to this the course is also beginner-friendly. – Afeez Bello
This comprehensive program has equipped me with essential skills and knowledge to excel in the field of software testing. I am excited to apply what I’ve learned and contribute to innovative projects and teams in the industry. – O.Nicholas
Industry-Standard Skills: Aligned with the globally recognised ISTQB Foundation syllabus, it prepares students for roles like test analyst.
Employability Boost: Builds skills like problem-solving and teamwork, transferable to IT careers.
Market Relevance: Meets demand for ~600–1,000 tester jobs monthly (Adzuna, 2025).
School Value: Supports Gatsby Benchmark 4, linking curriculum to careers.
See reviews at Trustpilot or testimonials at Onion Training.
Gatsby Benchmark
Onion Training Syllabus Compliance: Career-Ready Software Testing at Level 3 with ISTQB Foundation Alignment
This Level 3 vocational course, equivalent to A-levels in rigour, is expertly designed to prepare students for the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) v4.0, a globally recognised qualification. Covering the full ISTQB Foundation syllabus, the course provides students with practical testing skills and employability attributes to succeed in the exam and kickstart their tech career.
Delivered online and self-paced, the course totals approximately 25 hours (16 hours of course material, 8 hours of practical exercises and 1 hour of quizzes), with the option to study 1 hour per week, offering flexibility to balance learning with work experience or career exploration.
IT-related teachers have full access to materials for self-study, ensuring lessons connect to software testing careers.
Our privacy policy (https://onion.training/privacy/) ensures a secure learning environment while protecting your data.
Onion Training provides a wealth of resources to enhance learning: a digital library with templates and guides, hands-on demo test sites, a glossary of over 900 software testing terms, monthly newsletters plus lifetime access to updated and future materials at no extra cost.
Certification Pathway
Our Level 3 software testing course prepares students for the optional ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) v4.0, a globally recognised qualification that supports Gatsby Benchmark 4.
Onion Training Software Testing Course: It aligns with the ISTQB Foundation syllabus, preparing students for the CTFL exam, should they choose to take it.
Optional Exam: Students or schools decide whether to take the external ISTQB exam (£145–£165, 60-minute multiple-choice, 65% pass mark).
Career Impact: Certification enhances employability, with tester salaries increasing by 15% to £33k–£40k (PayScale, 2025).
Next Steps: Consider pursuing advanced ISTQB certifications or Level 4 apprenticeships.
Contact info@onion.training for guidance on exam preparation.
Next Steps
Provide your students with in-demand IT skills for tech careers. Our Level 3 software testing course, aligned with the ISTQB Foundation syllabus, prepares sixth-formers for roles like test analyst or quality assurance analyst, supporting Gatsby Benchmark 4.
We offer flexible, discounted packages for educational institutions looking to enrol groups of students.
Contact us to discuss tailored pricing and enrolment options based on your student numbers.
