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Apprenticeships

Protecting the UK’s interests.
Gaining hands-on experience.
Shaping your future career.
It all matters.

When it comes to an apprenticeship, you don’t just want a job. You want career-defining moments. Real-world impact. And unforgettable experiences. At FCDO Services, it all matters. We protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas, providing a wide range of secure services. As an apprentice, you could be installing state-of-the-art CCTV system in a new embassy. Protecting government-level systems from technical espionage attacks. Rolling out secure Wi-Fi in government buildings in the most isolated areas of the world. Helping to design and construct a brand-new British embassy overseas. Delivering specialist surveys of diplomatic and government buildings around the world. Or scanning deliveries to make sure they’re safe and secure for government use. Your skills could go anywhere. Here they’ll go everywhere.

Exterior of one of our buildings at Hanslope Park. Modern offices with large glass windows.

Who are FCDO Services?

We’re a trusted government organisation with over 75 years’ experience of providing secure services to UK government departments and our global overseas partners. Our work helps support UK diplomacy, defence and development opportunities across the globe. Operating in over 250 destinations, across 168 countries, our work includes construction projects, digital and cloud solutions, logistics services, counter-eavesdropping, translation, and more, all delivered with high-level security at its heart. To find out more about how we help protect our customers’ physical assets, data and people visit our About us page. Or you can visit our corporate site here.

Our Apprenticeship Programmes

Our apprenticeship programmes are now closed, but it is never too early to start thinking about doing an apprenticeship with us. There is lots of information on this page about what is on offer and we will update further when we go live again. Where will our apprenticeships take you? Most of our programmes are based at our Hanslope park site (near Milton Keynes) with its fantastic onsite facilities. Some of our programmes will even give you the chance to travel all over the world. Getting to Hanslope Park is easy – even without a car: just take advantage of our free hourly shuttle between the Park and central Milton Keynes. And if your role involves hybrid working, you can base yourself elsewhere on certain days. That’s the locations covered.
  • Level 3 apprenticeship, working towards a Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering
  • 39-month programme, with a potential full-time role at the end
  • Starting package £21,749 (including location allowance) with a potential yearly increase of base salary, depending on performance
  • Potential salary package upon qualification £26,556 (including location allowance)
  • Excellent benefits, including competitive pension scheme, fully-funded qualification and 25 days’ annual leave, plus Bank Holidays
  • Based at Hanslope Park near Milton Keynes
  • Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park
  • Opportunity for overseas travel
  • Candidates will need to undergo Security Check (SC) clearance before joining, and Developed Vetting (DV) clearance shortly after joining

What will I do?

Your work will be on some of the most important and fascinating projects we do. Like installing a state-of-the-art CCTV system in a new embassy, or advanced intruder detection equipment in a particularly unstable region; preventing or detecting potential eavesdropping attacks, or helping to design a new generation of security products. Projects on which people’s safety – and the interests of the whole of the UK – depend.

Along the way, you’ll benefit from exceptional training, and have an incredibly experienced team to learn from. Your three years will begin with a full-time course at a local college, where you’ll develop your knowledge in a range of topics – from health and safety to maths to electric and electronic engineering. During college breaks, you’ll also take in-house courses at our dedicated training centre at Hanslope Park to build up your practical skills. Once you’ve finished your college course in year one, you’ll spend the next few years really getting get to grips with the practical side of your role, helping us deliver projects in the UK – and most likely, as you progress, travelling overseas too. You’ll be a real and valued part of the team, learning from experts who’ll help you build up essential skills as you work towards professional status and begin to carve out your career.

What do I need?

This apprenticeship is open to everyone, but you must:

  • Have a minimum of four GCSEs (or equivalent e.g. O levels) grade 9-4 (A*-C) including Maths, English and Science, preferably Physics, or a technical-based subject such as Engineering or Product Design
  • Have good communication skills
  • Be IT literate and proficient in the Microsoft Office suite – Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
  • Show us you’re genuinely interested in engineering and technology
  • Ideally, have some experience of using tools such as drills and saws
  • Be interested in overseas travel
  • Be a British Citizen who’s lived in the UK for the last three years before the first day of your apprenticeship (aiming to start September 2022), and for at least five of the last ten years
  • Be at least 16 years old by 30 April 2022 so you can complete Security Check (SC) clearance before your start date

This programme has now closed.

  • Level 3 apprenticeship, working towards a Level 3 Information Communication Technician apprenticeship qualification
  • 22-month programme, with a potential full-time role at the end 
  • Starting package £21,749 (including location allowance) with a potential yearly increase of base salary, depending on performance
  • Potential salary package upon qualification £26,556 (including location allowance)
  • Excellent benefits, including competitive Civil Service pension, fully funded qualification and 25 days’ annual leave, plus Bank Holidays
  • Based at Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes
  • Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park
  • Candidates will need to undergo Security Check (SC) clearance before joining, Developed Vetting (DV) clearance shortly after joining

What will I do?

This is your chance to become an IT champion. Working with ground-breaking technology and enjoying top-quality training, you’ll soon see for yourself just how vital IT is to our organisation. After all, our work keeps government-level customers’ data safe at all times, and even protects them from technical espionage attacks.

After settling in, you’ll start balancing work with study. You’ll enrol with your training provider and begin a series of learning modules; covering everything from the fundamentals of networking to the principles of Cloud-based services. At the same time, you’ll get to work on live projects. Starting with small technical issues, you’ll learn the basics and gradually build up your skills as you work with a variety of Technology and Operations teams, including the UK National Authority for Counter-Eavesdropping (UK NACE). Along the way you’ll learn things like: configuration management, fault diagnosis, patch and vulnerability management, and how to protect systems from technical espionage attacks As your skills grow, you’ll get involved in more and more complex work, experiencing for yourself how we deliver secure IT and mobile solutions for our government-level customers.

What do I need?

This apprenticeship is open to everyone, but you must:

  • Have a minimum of two GCSEs (or equivalent e.g. O levels) in Maths and English and ideally in a Computing/IT or a Science subject, at grades 9-4 (A*-C),
  • Have a genuine interest in computing and IT
  • Have good attention to detail
  • Be a British Citizen who’s lived in the UK for the last three years before the first day of your apprenticeship (aiming to start September 2022), and for at least five of the last ten years
  • Be at least 16 years old by 30 April 2022 so you can complete Security Check (SC) clearance before your start date

Or why not take a look at our interview with a Former IT Apprentice to see how their apprenticeship set them up for a career in technology with us.

This programme has now closed.

  • Level 3 apprenticeship, working towards a NVQ Level 2 certificate as a Supply Chain Warehouse Operative
  • 15-month programme, with a potential full-time role at the end
  • Starting package £21,749 (including location allowance) 
  • Potential salary package upon qualification £22,354 (including location allowance) 
  • Excellent benefits, including competitive Civil Service pension, fully funded qualification and 25 days’ annual leave, plus Bank Holidays
  • Based in Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes 
  • Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park
  • Candidates will need to undergo Security Check (SC) clearance before joining

What will I do?

Join our Logistics team, and you’ll help us pack, plan and deliver shipments to vital government projects worldwide. It’ll see you get involved in everything from picking and packing orders to loading goods for dispatch to maintaining stock records – all things that help us run a well-oiled logistics network across the globe.

Over a packed 15 months, you’ll take part in structured learning sessions as you work towards your qualification. At the same time, you’ll gain lots of practical experience as you learn the ropes from your colleagues. You’ll carry out a range of responsibilities in our distribution centre, things like: bagging diplomatic mail for secure transit, packing construction supplies for repairs to an embassy overseas, scanning a delivery of electronic parts to make sure they’re safe, and learning the essentials of good stock management. It means you’ll not only experience the full breadth of what happens in our warehouse and develop essential skills, you’ll come away with an NVQ Level 2 certificate as a Supply Chain Warehouse Operative.

What do I need?

This apprenticeship is open to everyone, but you must:

  • Have at least two GCSEs (or equivalent e.g. O levels) in Maths and English at grades 9-4 (A*-C)
  • Be a team player with good communication skills
  • Have basic understanding of Microsoft Word and Excel
  • Be genuinely interested in warehouse operations and logistics
  • Be a British Citizen who’s lived in the UK for the last three years before the first day of your apprenticeship (aiming to start September 2022), and for at least five of the last ten years
  • Be at least 16 years old by 30 April 2022 so you can complete Security Check (SC) clearance before joining

Want to know more about life as a Logistics apprentice and where it could take you? Why not read our interview with one of our Logistics Load Schedulers who was once a Logistics Apprentice and worked her way up.

This programme has now closed.

  • Level 6 apprenticeship, working towards a B.Eng. in Broadcast & Communications Engineering 
  • 48-month programme, with a potential full-time role at the end
  • Starting package £22,315 (including location allowance) with a potential yearly increase of base salary, depending on performance
  • Potential salary package upon qualification £33,388 (including location allowance) 
  • Excellent benefits, including Civil Service pension, fully-funded qualification, 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, flexible working opportunities
  • Based at Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes, with the flexibility of hybrid working depending on business need
  • Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park
  • Opportunity for overseas travel
  • Candidates will need to undergo Security Check (SC) clearance before joining, and Developed Vetting (DV) clearance shortly after joining

What will I do?

Our customers need to stay connected, and when you join us, you’ll be helping to keep critical diplomatic, defence and intelligence communications secure on behalf of our government customers. From ensuring vital communication channels stay up and running following a natural disaster to ensuring that our systems stay secure in unstable environments, you’ll experience the real impact of our work.

You’ll split your time between university and working with the team at our Hanslope Park site, developing your knowledge and skills working on live projects. And when your coursework allows, you’ll travel to site visits both in the UK and across the world to work on a range of communications projects which are essential to the prosperity of the UK.

What do I need?

This apprenticeship is open to everyone, but you must:

  • Have two GCSEs (or equivalent e.g. O levels) in Maths and English Language grades 9-4 (A*-C)
  • Have a minimum of 112 UCAS points gained through BCC at A levels including Maths; or a BTEC Level 3 at D*D* with a Distinction in Maths or a Merit in Further Maths; or a BTEC Extended Diploma Level 3 at DMM with a Distinction in Maths or a Merit in Further Maths; or equivalent
  • Have communication skills, numeracy and IT literacy
  • Have a genuine interest in engineering, broadcast communications, computer networks and systems
  • Be a British Citizen who’s lived in the UK for the last three years before the first day of your apprenticeship (aiming to start September 2022), and for at least five of the last ten years
  • Be at least 16 years old by 30 April 2022, so you can complete Security Check (SC) clearance before joining

This programme has now closed.

  • Level 3 apprenticeship, working towards a Level 3 Diploma in Building Services Design
  • 38-month programme, with a potential full-time role at the end
  • Starting package £21,749 (including location allowance) with a potential yearly increase of base salary, depending on performance
  • Potential salary package upon qualification £26,556 (including location allowance) 
  • Based at Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes, plus overseas travel
  • Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park
  • Opportunity for overseas travel
  • Candidates will need to undergo Developed Vetting (DV) before joining

What will I do?

On this apprenticeship, you’ll help us to keep people in government departments safe and sound. How? By making sure the buildings they’re working in are fit for use, efficient and totally secure. You’ll learn the theory, the law, the processes of building services design: from technical drawing, work planning, design techniques, energy conservation and sustainable development. Everything you’ll need to help us design, plan and maintain government buildings around the world.

Launching straight into a balance of academic study and practical work, you’ll attend university or college (depending on your course/provider) on a day-release basis, over the course of three years. Then, when you’re not studying, you’ll put what you’ve learnt into practice on live projects, developing your skills alongside professional Engineers, Surveyors, Architects and Project Managers. Over the course of your programme, you’ll take on increasing responsibility as you work on live projects, tackling challenges that will take you around the world.

What do I need?

This apprenticeship is open to everyone, but you must:

  • Have five GCSEs (or equivalent e.g. O levels) including Maths, English and Science, or a technical based subject such as engineering or product design, at grades 9-4 (A*- C)
  • Have good communication skills, numeracy and IT literacy
  • Have a genuine interest in CAD and building services design
  • Be willing to travel overseas as part of your apprenticeship
  • Be a British Citizen who’s lived in the UK for the last three years before the first day of your apprenticeship (aiming to start September 2022), and for at least five of the last ten years
  • Be at least 18 years old by 30 April 2022 so you can complete the Developed Vetting (DV) process before your start date

This programme has now closed.

  • Level 3 apprenticeship, working towards a Business Administration qualification
  • 15-month programme, with a potential full-time role at the end
  • Starting package £21,749 (including location allowance) with a potential yearly increase of base salary, depending on performance
  • Potential salary package upon qualification £26,006 (including location allowance)
  • Based at Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes, with the flexibility of hybrid working depending on business need
  • Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park
  • Candidates will need to undergo Security Check (SC) clearance before joining

What will I do?

Learning how to support a smooth-running business is no easy feat – but when you do it for a vital global organisation, it opens all kinds of possibilities for your future. In this highly visible role, you’ll be part of our Customer Relationship department, learning what it takes to build and maintain relationships with some of our biggest customers.

Over the course of your apprenticeship, you’ll take on a series of knowledge modules, learning through a blend of group sessions and access to digital content on our online platform, all with the support from a Talent Coach. You’ll also undertake hands-on work, alongside experienced professionals, to put the theory into practice. You’ll learn how to produce financial and Management Information reports, analyse data and produce trend analysis to help drive continuous improvements. You’ll liaise with teams across our organisation, helping them engage with new ways of working to improve our services. As the job title suggests, there will also be a wide range of administrative work, from scheduling meetings through to taking minutes. You’ll have plenty of support along the way, but also the autonomy you need to grow and develop.

What do I need?

This apprenticeship is open to everyone, but you must:

  • Have at least two GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths and English at grades 9-4 (A*-C)
  • Bring good communication, presentation and teamworking skills as well as the ability to liaise with different stakeholders across a range of teams
  • Have good IT skills, including a working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software packages, preferably Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint
  • Be organised, analytical and numerate
  • Be a British Citizen who’s lived in the UK for the last three years before the first day of your apprenticeship (aiming to start September 2022), and for at least five of the last ten years
  • Be at least 16 years old by 30 April 2022, so you can complete Security Check (SC) clearance before your start date

This programme has now closed.

  • Level 4 apprenticeship, working towards a Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner qualification
  • 42-month programme, with a potential full-time role at the end
  • Starting package £21,749 (including location allowance) with a potential yearly increase of base salary, depending on performance
  • Potential salary package upon qualification £26,006 (including location allowance)
  • Based at Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes, with the flexibility of hybrid working depending on business need, plus overseas travel
  • Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park
  • Candidates will need to undergo Security Check (SC) clearance before joining, and Developed Vetting (DV) clearance shortly after joining

What will I do?

As part of our sustainability team, you’ll put social conscience at the heart of your career and our organisation. Gaining exposure to a wide range of sustainability projects, you’ll learn how to use metrics and data to turn our ambitions into action plans, helping to bring about sustainable environmental change to all corners of our organisation, in all corners of the globe. You’ll also gain experience in the social aspects of corporate responsibility, as you help to further our initiatives around diversity and inclusion, community engagement and charitable giving.

With a mix of study and work experience, you’ll work towards a qualification in this fast-growing, fascinating field. You’ll cover a variety of topics such as Legislation, Data Sourcing and Management plus Influencing Stakeholder Relationships, and dive into live projects alongside our professional Engineers, Installation Technicians and Project Managers where you’ll truly see the impact of your work.

What do I need?

This apprenticeship is open to everyone, but you must:

  • Have two GCSEs (or equivalent e.g. O levels) in Maths and English at grades 9-4 (A*-C)
  • Have excellent communication skills, numeracy and IT literacy
  • Have a real passion for the environment and sustainability
  • Understand ethical values like equality, inclusion and philanthropy
  • Be a British Citizen who’s lived in the UK for the last three years before the first day of your apprenticeship (aiming to start September 2022), and for at least five of the last ten years
  • Be at least 16 years old by 30 April 2022 so you can complete Security Check (SC) clearance before joining

This programme has now closed.

  • Level 4 apprenticeship in Data Analysis, working towardsentry onto the Register of IT Technicians 
  • 27-month programme, with a potential full-time role at the end
  • Starting package £21,749 (including location allowance) with a potential yearly increase of base salary, depending on performance
  • Potential salary package upon qualification £26,556 (including location allowance)
  • Based at Hanslope Park near Milton Keynes, with the flexibility of hybrid working depending on business need
  • Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park
  • Candidates will need to undergo Developed Vetting (DV) before joining

What will I do?

Whether you’re cutting through data to identify new trends, or analysing security data to discover threats to our customer’s information, this programme will give you a well-rounded understanding of how data helps us to protect UK assets. You’ll jump right in by working on rotation across different teams, including the UK National Authority for Counter-Eavesdropping (UK NACE). Each team will teach you the different ways to gather and scrutinise vital data, whether that’s reviewing project information, designing easy-to-understand dashboards, or checking the quality of data and spotting anomalies. You’ll learn to tell the story behind the data – creating meaningful reports that help influence senior leaders too.

In addition to your work within each team, you also learn through a mix of face-to-face and remote e-learning, tutoring and workshops. You’ll get plenty of support throughout from your colleagues and your training provider as you study towards your qualification. And, by the end of the programme, you’ll have all the tools you need to help drive improvement across a business that helps protect the UK’s interests all over the world, every day.

What do I need?

This apprenticeship is open to everyone, but you must:

  • Have five GCSEs (or equivalent e.g. O levels) including Maths and English at grades 9-4 (A*-C)
  • Two A levels, including Maths at grade A*-C; or Advanced Maths or Statistics at GCSE grade 9-4 (A*-C); or Maths-based AS/A-level grade A*-C or above; or a Level 3 qualification in an IT, Maths or Engineering subject
  • Have a genuine interest in data analysis
  • Have good attention to detail, communication skills, numeracy and IT literacy
  • Be able to demonstrate good IT skills
  • Be a British Citizen who’s lived in the UK for the last three years before the first day of your apprenticeship (aiming to start September 2022), and for at least five of the last ten years
  • Be at least 18 years old by 30 April 2022 so you can complete the Developed Vetting (DV) process before your start date

This programme has now closed.

  • Level 6 apprenticeship, working towards a Level 6 BSc (Hons) in Data Science
  • Up to 50-month programme, with a potential full-time role at the end 
  • Starting package £22,315 (including location allowance) with a potential yearly increase of base salary, depending on performance
  • Potential salary package upon qualification £33,388 (including location allowance)
  • Based at Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes, with the flexibility of hybrid working depending on business need
  • Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park
  • Candidates will need to undergo Security Check (SC) clearance before joining, Developed Vetting (DV) clearance shortly after joining

What will I do?

Data is a powerful tool and, on this programme, you’ll learn how to use it. Exploring cutting-edge software capabilities and mastering how to use technology solutions to get results, you’ll help us to meet the needs of our government-level customers. This isn’t just work shadowing. You’ll contribute to genuine projects, and learn how to use technology, software tools, and your own curiosity to identify and deliver impactful, accurate results that will help us protect highly sensitive information.

You’ll get stuck in from the start, balancing practical work and academic studies. Placed with one of three teams on a rotational basis, you’ll see how data is used across the business, working with colleagues in areas such as Cyber Security, Project Management and Finance. Whether you’re processing data, spotting anomalies, liaising with stakeholders or developing and testing software systems, you’ll learn how to meet the needs of government-level customers. Alongside live work, you’ll also undertake your academic studies with a combination of face-to-face tutoring/workshops, and remote and e-learning. Meaning you’ll have the perfect blend of theory and practical know-how to start your career as a qualified Data Scientist.

What do I need?

This apprenticeship is open to everyone, but you must:

  • Have two GCSEs (or equivalent e.g. O level) in Maths and English at grades 9-4 (A*-C)
  • Have a min. 96 UCAS points gained through grades A-C in A Levels, including maths or a numerate subject; or an equivalent Level 3 qualification
  • Be genuinely passionate about data and data science
  • Have the ambition and commitment to make constant improvements through innovation
  • Be a British Citizen who’s lived in the UK for the last three years before the first day of your apprenticeship (aiming to start September 2022), and for at least five of the last ten years
  • Be at least 16 years old by 30 April 2022 so you can complete Security Check (SC) clearance before your start date

This programme has now closed.

  • Level 2 apprenticeship, working towards a Level 2 AATFoundation Certificate in Accounting
  • 15-month programme, with a potential full-time role at the end
  • Starting package £21,749 (including location allowance) 
  • Potential salary package upon qualification £22,354 (including location allowance)
  • Based at Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes,with the flexibility of hybrid working depending on business need
  • Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park
  • Candidates will need to undergo Security Check (SC) vetting before joining

What will I do?

Working side by side with our transactional finance teams, you’ll learn the ins and outs of transactional finance. You’ll build up specialist skills in everything from setting up and credit checking suppliers, providing prompt and accurate invoicing to global government bodies, administer credit cards, create and issue detailed reports and more. As you grow these skills, you’ll be doing important work as you provide prompt, accurate invoicing to global government bodies.

And as you learn how to balance the books, you’ll also learn how to balance your work and your studies. The perfect blend, you’ll work towards a level 2 AAT Foundation Certificate in Accounting whilst getting to put your knowledge into action. You’ll be helping us to provide value for money for taxpayers everywhere. So, if you’re ready to make an impact as you learn, your future just got bigger.

What do I need?

This apprenticeship is open to everyone, but you must:

  • Have two GCSEs (or equivalent e.g. O levels) in Maths and English Language grades 9-4 (A*-C)
  • Have a genuine interest in finance and accounting
  • Have some numerical and analytical skills
  • Be IT literate, familiar with Microsoft Word and Excel
  • Be a British Citizen who’s lived in the UK for the last three years before the first day of your apprenticeship (aiming to start September 2022), and for at least five of the last ten years
  • Be at least 16 years old by 30 April 2022 so you can complete Security Check (SC) clearance before joining

This programme has now closed.

  • Level 4 apprenticeship, studying for a Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) qualification
  • Starting package of £21,749 (including location allowance) with a potential yearly increase of base salary, depending on performance
  • Potential salary package upon qualification £26,006 (including location allowance)
  • 19-month programme, with a potential full-time role at the end 
  • Based at Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes, with the flexibility of hybrid working depending on business need
  • Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park
  • Candidates will need to undergo Security Check (SC) vetting before joining

What will I do?

Market analysis. Customer research. Data analysis. You’ll provide vital insights that help us understand our government-level customers on a deeper level. You’ll gather sector data and develop spot-on marketing campaigns. And you’ll learn what drives customer behaviours, and use that knowledge to make sure we’re delivering the right service, in the right way.

Working across our Strategic Marketing and Customer Journey teams, you’ll help us find the answers to some big questions: how can we help customers achieve their goals? Or how can we anticipate their future needs? It’s why you’ll have impact that’s clear to see, and why your future will get a whole lot bigger.

What do I need?

This apprenticeship is open to everyone and you don’t need any academic qualifications, but you must:

  • Have good Microsoft Office skills, including Excel, PowerPoint and Word
  • Be a confident communicator – you’ll be able to engage with internal and external stakeholders both verbally and in writing
  • Be a creative thinker with plenty of enthusiasm, a proactive approach and a desire to learn
  • Have the ability to work independently in an environment with varying levels of pace
  • Be a British Citizen who’s lived in the UK for the last three years before the first day of your apprenticeship, (aiming to start September 2022), and for at least five of the last ten years
  • Be at least 16 years old by 30 April 2022 so you complete Security Check (SC) clearance before joining

This programme has now closed.

  • Level 4 apprenticeship, working towards an APM Project Management Qualification or International Project Management Association (IPMA) Level D
  • 24-month programme, with a potential full-time role at the end
  • Starting package £21,749 (including location allowance) with a potential yearly increase of base salary, depending on performance
  • Potential salary package upon qualification £26,006 (including location allowance)
  • Based at Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes, with the flexibility of hybrid working depending on business need
  • Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park
  • Candidates will need to undergo Security Check (SC) clearance before joining, and Developed Vetting (DV) clearance shortly after joining

What will I do?

You’ll learn what it takes to manage and deliver complex and challenging IT projects for government-level customers. Ranging from huge data migrations across continents to desktop applications at the centre of Whitehall, you’ll discover how we deliver secure IT solutions at pace, while ensuring cost and quality. Alongside learning how to manage stakeholders and their expectations, you’ll learn the fundamentals of project management, everything from sound cost control to how to plan and manage risk, essentially, all the tools and techniques you’ll need to become a fully qualified professional.

Your training will be delivered in a variety of ways to ensure that you get the best learner experience. You’ll complete off-site classroom workshops, work-based challenges and have regular sessions with a skills coach to get you thinking about how to apply your learning to workplace scenarios. Then you’ll put that into practice as you work as part of our Project Delivery team on live projects, helping us deliver successful IT solutions around the globe. You’ll get to work alongside and learn from experienced project managers and as you develop, you’ll start to head up smaller projects of your own.

What do I need?

This apprenticeship is open to everyone, but you must:

  • Have two GCSEs (or equivalent e.g. O levels) in Maths and English Language grades 9-4 (A*-C)
  • Have communication skills, numeracy and IT literacy
  • Have a genuine interest in project management in the IT environment
  • Have the ability to plan, lead and communicate
  • Be organised with a creative, intuitive approach to problem solving
  • Be a British Citizen who’s lived in the UK for the last three years before the first day of your apprenticeship (aiming to start September 2022), and for at least five of the last ten years
  • Be at least 16 years old by 30 April 2022 so you can complete Security Check (SC) clearance before your start date

This programme has now closed.

  • Level 6 apprenticeship, working towards a BSc in Quantity Surveying and membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
  • 68-month programme, with a potential full-time role at the end
  • Starting package £25,565 (including location allowance) with a potential yearly increase of base salary, depending on performance
  • Potential salary package upon qualification £36,638 (including location allowance)
  • Based at King Charles Street, London, with the flexibility of hybrid working depending on business need 
  • Opportunity for overseas travel
  • Candidates will need to undergo Security Check (SC) clearance before joining, and Developed Vetting (DV) clearance shortly after joining

What will I do?

You’ll discover exactly what it to takes to deliver construction projects for government customers. Over the course of your programme, you’ll learn the theory, the law, the processes of quantity surveying. Whether that’s discovering what it takes to plan the refurbishment of an 18th Century embassy, or estimating and managing the costs of a brand-new extension to a high commission in Asia, you’ll work on buildings at the very heart of government, all around the world.

Combining your academic studies with practical work, you’ll have the chance to turn what you learn in the classroom, into real experience: travelling overseas (when coursework allows) you’ll be involved in projects of all shapes and sizes. Along the way, you’ll learn how to write tenders and proposals, put together cost estimates and measure project expenditure. All while you soak up the expertise from your experienced colleagues. With each new project and location comes new challenges, so you’ll gain exposure to all the different aspects of quantity surveying.

What do I need?

  • Have two GCSEs (or equivalent e.g. O levels) in Maths and English at grades 9-4 (A*-C)
  • Have a minimum of 104 UCAS points gained through BCC in A Levels; or a DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma; or D*D* in BTEC Diploma; or equivalent
  • Have good communication skills, numeracy and IT literacy
  • Have a genuine interest in building design and construction
  • Be a British Citizen who’s lived in the UK for the last three years before the first day of your apprenticeship (aiming to start September 2022), and for at least five of the last ten years
  • Be at least 16 years old by 30 April 2022 so you can complete Security Check (SC) clearance before your start date

This programme has now closed.

  • Higher apprenticeship, working towards a BSc degree in Building Surveying
  • A 78 month programme – 60 months for the degree element plus 18 months for the end point assessment
  • Starting salary package £28,082 (including location allowance) with a potential yearly increase of base salary, depending on performance
  • Potential salary package upon qualification £40,510 (including location allowance)
  • Competitive Civil Service pension scheme, fully funded qualification, 25 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays
  • Opportunities for overseas travel

What will I do?

Balancing practical, hands-on work in the UK and at locations around the world with stimulating academic study, you’ll enjoy the support and encouragement of your experienced colleagues in our Building Surveying and Quantity Surveying teams. As you grow your knowledge and develop your skills, you’ll be given more responsibility, quickly learning how we keep complex projects on track and on budget.

As well as understanding how your own role helps the group achieve its objectives, you’ll also gain broad knowledge of the work of FCDO Services. And you’ll assist team leaders and other colleagues in the production of everything from accurate designs and drawings to technical documentation, surveys and reports.

It all adds up to an apprenticeship packed with variety, impact and unforgettable experiences. It’s also a chance to experience different cultures and building standards as you help provide the most cost effective and sustainable approach to delivering projects of vital importance to the security of our nation.

What do I need?

This apprenticeship is open to everyone, but you must:

  • Have a minimum of five GCSEs (or their equivalent) including Maths and English at grades 9-4 (A*-C)
  • A Level BBB or BTEC National Diploma DDM or access to a HE qualification with 24 Distinctions 21 Merits or equivalent level 3 qualifications worth 128 UCAS points
  • Have excellent IT skills and familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite of software
  • Be a confident communicator with good team-working and collaborative skills
  • Possess confident written and verbal communication skills
  • Have a keen interest in design and construction and be ready to deliver at pace in a fast-moving environment
  • Be a British citizen who’s lived in the UK for the last three years before the first day of your apprenticeship (aiming to start September 2024), and for at least five of the last ten years
  • Be at least 16 years old by 1 July 2024 so you can obtain Security Check (SC) clearance before your start date

This programme has now closed.

  • Level 4 apprenticeship, working towards a HNC in Design and Construction Management
  • Starting package £24,550, potential salary package upon qualification £31,336 (including location allowance)
  • Potential for yearly increase of base salary, depending on performance
  • 24 -36 months programme (plus End Point Assessment), with a potential full-time role at the end
  • Competitive Civil Service pension scheme, fully funded qualification, 25 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays
  • Opportunities for overseas travel

What will I do?

When you join us on this apprenticeship, you’ll combine academic learning and practical work, and be immersed in the Secure Construction Design team and learn from industry professionals who value your input and opinion.

Our construction projects are varied and can take us all over the world – wherever and whenever our customers need us. Whatever the project, your input and ideas will be valued from the moment you arrive. And the talented industry professionals you’ll work with will support your learning on everything from how to use drawing software such as AutoCAD and REVIT, to how to navigate specification software like NBS. As well as helping you develop stakeholder engagement and management skills.

This is an apprenticeship filled with variety and value. You’ll be supported through your learning and empowered to achieve the highest possible grade, setting you up for success once you’ve completed the programme, whether you decide to pursue a role with us or further training. What’s more, you’ll get the chance to travel to parts of the world you might never have imagined visiting, doing work that makes a difference and helps support the security of our government customers.

What do I need?

This apprenticeship is open to everyone, but you must:

  • Have a minimum of five GCSEs (or equivalent e.g. O levels) including Maths and English at grades 9-4 (A*-C)
  • Have an A Level DD, BTEC National Diploma PPP or, Access to HE Diploma with 21 Merits or a Level 3 Apprenticeship in a related subject
  • Have a genuine interest in construction and the built environment
  • Be organised and methodical
  • Be reliable, responsive, easy to work with and able to build relationships
  • Be a British citizen who’s lived in the UK for the last three years before the first day of your apprenticeship, and for at least five of the last ten years
  • Be at least 16 years old by 1 July 2024 so you can obtain Security Check (SC) clearance before your start date

This programme has now closed.

“I’ve had the opportunity to visit places I didn’t even know existed.” Technical Engineering Apprentice

Insight from our apprentices

Why did you chose to do an apprenticeship?
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What’s the best thing about doing an apprenticeship at FCDO Services?
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Can you do an apprenticeship at any age?
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Why an apprenticeship with FCDO Services?
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Can you make an impact as an apprentice?
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What happens after my apprenticeship?
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Out of everything FCDO Services offers you, what do you value the most?
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How are you supported during your programme?
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What’s surprised you most about your experience as an apprentice?
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How has your future gotten brighter since joining FCDO Services?
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What would you say to a female-identifying student, interested in engineering?
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How would you describe FCDO Services in three words?
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What makes our apprenticeships so great?

Our apprenticeship programmes are as varied as the work we do. So, you’ll find plenty of paths to choose from and explore – each designed to set you up for a long-term career. Whether you’re interested in engineering, IT, Project Management or Logistics, there’s an apprenticeship for you at FCDO Services. Explore our programmes

Whichever apprenticeship you take, you’ll be helping us protect the nation – at home and across the world. It’s highly important, highly impactful work. From London to Bangkok, Brussels to Pretoria, you’ll help us provide a range of secure services to government-level customers. And it’s your chance to help safeguard people and assets, around the world.

Apprentices are the future of our business. That’s why we put so much into our programmes. We’ll invest in your training, work with you to build up valuable experience, and put you in teams that will support you and help you learn. Your progression doesn’t end there: take on a role with us once you’ve completed an apprenticeship and you’ll continue to benefit from opportunities and resources to help you develop.

We have an inclusive, friendly and supportive culture. We want our people to feel they belong. From day one, you’ll be treated as part of the team. Whatever your background or experiences, here’s where your skills – and your future – have a home.

As well as funding your qualification, we’ll offer encouragement and support at every step. You’ll get a competitive salary and pension from the start. And we’ll grow your experience across a series of fascinating, live projects. So, you’ll be ready to take on a future role in the business.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Debt-free paid qualifications

In-house training facilities

Possibility of global travel

Civil Service pension

Potential full-time job on completion

Helping you feel included and supported

Everyone deserves to enjoy a welcoming, inclusive environment; one that supports them not just as a professional, but as a person. Equality, inclusion, and a focus on your mental and physical wellbeing are all top of our agenda. We’ve designed a wide range of initiatives for you to take advantage of – from discounted fitness classes and gyms to an onsite fresh deli bar, Ofsted-approved nursery and wellbeing rooms around the world. We also host a range of diversity networks to inspire and empower you, alongside regular events to educate and engage everyone who works here. You can learn more about life at FCDO Services here and our commitment to diversity inclusion here.

 

Read our apprentice stories

“Being at FCDO Services is brilliant for me. Being near Milton Keynes, it’s local to home but with the opportunity to travel too. I can be almost on my doorstep, but with a job that has worldwide experiences built in. It means I can stay nearby, but also really build up unique expertise too and keep learning all the time.”

Technical Engineering Apprentice

“I’ve honestly enjoyed every part of my apprenticeship so far, and I truly believe it was the best decision I’ve ever made. The programme has been amazing. It’s structured to best suit each individual and there are objectives to complete on every placement, ensuring you get a well-rounded, comprehensive experience. I truly value the skills and knowledge I’ve gained.”

IT Apprentice

“The structure of our programme is part of what makes it so interesting. In terms of the practical work element, it’s probably split about 50:50 between desk work and going out onto overseas sites for things like feasibility studies. You’re designing; creating drawings, schematics and specifications; and you’re also spending time on the ground in-country.”

Building Services Engineering Apprentice

“As a 20-year-old, I never thought I would have achieved or done as much as I have since starting my apprenticeship. I’ve gained so much experience that I will carry with me throughout my life.”

Technical Engineering Apprentice

“I’m getting a great qualification at the end of the course, as well as highly valuable and respected work experience. After my apprenticeship, there is also the opportunity to progress in this role, or in the future to even change roles into another team.”

Data Analyst Apprentice

“You look at an invoice and it tells you something fascinating about a project at an embassy somewhere. It scales up everything you do; gives it more impact.”

Finance Apprentice

“I’d highly recommend an apprenticeship with FCDO Services. I’ve really valued the diverse and inclusive work environment and found that everyone is down-to-earth. Working in the Civil Service also gives you great career and progression prospects.”

Associate Project Manager (IT) Apprentice

“I think for me, a degree apprenticeship like this one, balancing degree-level studies and real experience, was always the best option. I’m getting all these qualifications, doing interesting work, and I’m getting paid for it, so it was definitely a win-win.”

Project Management Apprentice

“Five years of working here has taught me a lot, and I genuinely can’t imagine a career anywhere else. But if you do want to explore different paths within FCDO Services, there’s so much opportunity – and support – to find the role that’s perfect for you.”

Former Technical Engineering Apprentice

“Thanks to the structure of the apprenticeship, I can dip my toe in lots of different IT areas, rather than focusing on just the one. It gives me a well-rounded picture of where I could take my future career.”

IT Apprentice

“I was a childminder while my own kids were small. Now that they’re a bit older, this seemed like a great way to start a new career, in a place where I’d have plenty of support and flexibility.”

Former IT Apprentice

Vetting – what you need to know

The security of the UK relies on the work we do. Because of that, we need to put strict security measures in place to make sure everyone who joins us is honest, reliable and trustworthy. So, if your application is successful, we’ll ask that you undergo an independently-run process called ‘vetting’ so that you can gain security clearance. The process checks details like your background, family, employment history, where you’ve lived, any criminal convictions and your financial status. It’s designed to be as inclusive as possible, regardless of your background or circumstances: ultimately, we want to understand you as an individual and identify any potential risks upfront. What’s more, any information we gather will always be done sensitively, respectfully and, of course, confidentially.

 

exterior of Kings Charles Street offices

What to expect along the way

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We want all our apprentices to succeed here, moving into permanent roles wherever possible. We have many programmes and possible paths your apprenticeship could take you but here’s a snapshot of one of our former Technical Engineering apprentices experiences of life on and after her apprenticeship:

Learning the ropes

“They really want you to learn here. We had space to play around with new systems, to get to know how they work. You’re there to take in and understand as much as you can, so that you can be valuable in the long-term.”

Becoming a professional

“During my programme, I spent some time manufacturing alarm system panels. I knew what I was making wasn’t just for fun – it would be boxed, deployed, and installed at an overseas government site. It’s practical and hands-on.”

Help to find a permanent role

“Immediately after my programme, I became an installation engineer. I was travelling the world on overseas trips for 4-6 weeks, installing security systems. I even progressed to become leader of the team.”

Hitting new heights

“From being team leader, I went on to an overseas posting for five years in Kenya. With a mixture of technical maintenance support and project management, I had responsibility for servicing ten different embassies in East Africa.”

How can you make the most of an apprenticeship? Check out these words of wisdom from FCDO Services apprentices. Read now

True or False?

Test what you know about apprenticeships and learn a thing or two about us along the way. Ready to bust a few myths?

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#1

Apprentices get given all the tasks no-one else wants to do

That’s false! When you’re not studying, you’ll enjoy real responsibilities with the teams you join. You’ll be treated as an equal and trusted with important work, building up the skills you need in your career with hands-on training and experience.

false
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#2

Apprenticeships are just as valuable as going to university

That’s true! In the same time, or less, as studying for a degree, you’ll come away with invaluable on-the-job experience, training and relevant qualifications that get your career off to a flying start – all without the student debt.

true
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#3

Apprentices aren’t paid well

That’s false! Our apprentices are paid competitively. Depending on your programme, your apprentice salary package could be between £22,750 – £26,775, rising to £26,100 – £38,500 when you qualify.

false
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#4

There’s only one kind of person who works in the Civil Service

That’s false! We’re proud to be a diverse organisation; our people come from all backgrounds and walks of life. But we also recognise that there’s still progress to be made, and we’re doing everything we can to make this a truly inclusive place for all.

false
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#5

Apprentices have a say in where they want to take their career

That’s true! You’ll get involved in all kinds of work throughout your programme, giving you the chance to discover what really interests you and where you want to take your career. You’re in control.

true
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#6

Apprentices experience first-hand how we protect the UK’s interests

That’s true! We run counter-eavesdropping operations. Renovate centuries-old embassies. Design custom, one-off products. Deliver secure government packages. Build and install security systems. And our apprentices get to learn first-hand how we provide these vital services.

true
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#7

Apprenticeships aren’t just for school-leavers and young people

That’s true! Our apprenticeships are for anyone, at any stage in life. We have apprentices from school-leavers to parents returning to work to career-changers looking for a fresh challenge.

true
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#8

Apprenticeships don’t lead anywhere

That’s false! Most of our apprentices join us on a permanent basis. That said, even if you don’t continue your career with us, you’ll be equipped with the skills, qualifications and knowledge you need in your chosen industry.

false
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Apprenticeships have been at the heart of FCDO Services for decades read more here

 

Explore our work

Our work is fascinating – but it can be hard to explain the sheer variety of what we do. Recently, our teams have designed and fitted a brand new British embassy in Bangkok. Repaired storm damage to buildings in the British Dependency of Tristan da Cuhna. And improved IT connectively in Islamabad. As an apprentice, you could be working on anything that keeps the UK’s interests safe, at home and abroad – from construction to digital innovation, couriering packages to designing security features, translation to counter-eavesdropping. To get a further taste of our work, why not read some of our case studies – and who knows, maybe one day your story will feature here too.

Exterior of the Mayhew lecture we project managed construction of for the Diplomatic Academy at FCO’s offices in King Charles Street (KCS). A modern curved building formed from a series of glass panes, coated with a solar control technical to help reduce the amount of radiant heat within the theatre.

Welcome to the virtual embassy

Ready to see the work you might do as an apprentice? Enter the Virtual Embassy and select the guide ‘Apprentices – All programmes’, to see the kinds of work apprentices do here. It’s not programme-specific, so you’ll learn a little about every apprenticeship – giving you a sense of where you fit in.

Grand looking embassy with Union Jack flag and solar panels on it's roof. Illustration.

Information for parents and teachers

Funded qualifications. A competitive salary. A great pension. All the benefits of a Civil Service career. And the chance to help protect the UK’s interests, around the world. If you know someone who’s looking for a career where it all matters, FCDO Services could be the perfect fit.

Helpful tips

For your application

Ready to find out what makes a great application? We’ve gathered together some top tips from our recruitment team, and some excellent advice from our apprentices. You can also find out more about the process.

Download our brochure

Our Brochure brings together lots of handy information click on the links below to download your copy.