British Intelligence Higher Apprenticeship in IT, Software, Internet & Telecoms Ref 415

Do you want to be part of an organisation that uses cutting edge technology and can offer you an exciting and fascinating career? If so, we’re looking for motivated, technically orientated individuals to join our two-year Higher Apprenticeship scheme offering a Foundation Degree with the potential to convert to a BSc at a later stage, based in the Cheltenham / Gloucester area and starting in September 2016.
This is an Apprenticeship like no other. Working with GCHQ, MI5 and MI6, you’ll gain a unique insight into a world that you won’t find on any university course - cyber threats, terrorism, espionage and organised crime. Our work is constantly evolving, and always challenging, giving you plenty of development and new opportunities to explore.

The programme will lead to exciting roles within the intelligence agencies where you’ll be helping to build, expand and further advance our technical capability - and our ability to tackle threats to national security.  There is a strong emphasis on programming and technology so a keen interest in these areas is essential.

Our two year Higher Apprenticeship programme combines university-delivered classroom and lab education in state-of-the-art facilities with technical training, mentoring and job shadowing, research and development, and work-based placements and projects. The first year will be based in Cheltenham with two thirds of the time in classroom based learning.  In the second year less time is spent in the classroom with apprentices undertaking placements during which some apprentices may have the opportunity to work in London at MI5, MI6 or NCA.

Either way, you’ll be taking on real business challenges in areas such as software, network or telecoms engineering, information assurance or cyber operations and will receive full training and support throughout the programme, as well as a salary and all the benefits you’d expect from a Civil Service organisation. You’ll be learning about and working with some of the most advanced technology, and you’ll be developing a broad range of competencies including teamwork, communication and leadership skills.

THE PROGRAMME
Over the course of the two years you’ll enjoy exhilarating, hands-on work to help us build and maintain some of the world's most sophisticated electronic equipment. You’ll be a vital part of a dynamic team that ensures the UK Government can operate in cyber space with confidence and can stay ahead of the swift pace demanded by the evolving digital world.
The Apprenticeship will cover a variety of subjects including:

- Information Assurance
- Programming
- Software Engineering
- Analogue and Digital Signal Processing
- Telecommunications
- GSM Fundamentals
- Mobile Telephony Protocols
- Fundamentals of Data Communications and Protocols

Not only will the Higher Apprenticeship lead to a Foundation Degree covering Communications Systems, Security and Computing (with the potential to convert to a BSc at later stage) and a Level 4 Diploma in IT Professional Competence, but you’ll also be able to make a real contribution to the mission of the intelligence agencies in tackling threats to national security in years to come.
You’ll be supported throughout the process by our academic provider, the sponsoring university and GCHQ staff. Work-based placements will involve you in seriously unique, real world tasks of a research, development or project nature, from which you will obtain evidence to complete your Apprenticeship.

After successful completion of the Apprenticeship and subject to business needs and meeting the necessary criteria, you may be offered a permanent position within GCHQ, MI5 or MI6. If you reject this offer you will be expected to pay back the cost of your training. These clauses will be written into your contract of employment on the Apprenticeship.

REQUIREMENTS
To apply for the Higher Apprenticeship, you will need to have or be expecting to have by September 2016, 3 A Levels at grade C or above with at least 2 A Levels in either Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths (STEM) subjects, or equivalent qualifications in STEM subjects. Please note if you have alternatives to A-Levels, your qualifications must be equivalent to a total of 240 UCAS points, 160 of which must be in STEM subjects. Please refer to the UCAS website for guidance on equivalents, particularly for BTECs and Scottish grades. You may also wish to check with your examining body for guidance. Alternatively, please contact the Recruitment Team on 0845 366 5567 or at Careers@recruitmentteam.org.uk

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
You should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application.

You should not discuss your application for this Apprenticeship, other than with your partner or a close family member, providing that they are British. They should also be made aware of the importance of discretion.

You should not post on social media sites about your application or discuss it with anyone else at this stage. You will receive further guidance during the recruitment process.

SELECTION PROCESS
As part of this campaign you will be required to undergo:    

Minimum Eligibility Sift – Application Form – Online Test – Video Based Assessment – Assessment Centre


KEY DATES

Closing date for applications:    9 November 2015 @ 23.00

Assessment Centres:            11th January 2016 - 5th February 2016