DE&S graduate and apprentice opportunities
Updated 28 January 2016
© Crown copyright 2016
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-equipment-and-support-des-graduate-and-apprentice-opportunities/des-graduate-and-apprentice-opportunities
DE&S offers a number of top class graduate and apprenticeship opportunities, providing successful applicants with “hands-on” experience in roles across a range of projects.
If you have recently left school or university and are interested in embarking on a career in defence but do not yet have the experience/skills required for our listed vacancies, DE&S offers a number of top class graduate and apprenticeship opportunities, providing successful applicants with “hands-on” experience in roles across a range of projects.
1. Fast track
The Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme gives talented school leavers the opportunity to work in government.
You can apply for the annual scheme if you are between 18 and 21. If you are successful, you will be placed in a government department in September.
You will go through a structured training programme for at least 2 years, where you will develop a range of skills. At the end of the scheme you will be able to apply for graduate career jobs.
1.1 Types of roles
You will start at management level. Roles include being an Assistant Parliamentary Secretary in a minister’s private office. This includes responsibility for a specific area of their portfolio or helping to develop a new policy by working with interested groups and other government departments.
Read about the experiences of current apprentices:
- Rya : Department for Education
- Cora: Crown Prosecution Service
- Conor: Department for Education
- Ayath: HM Revenue and Customs
1.2 The Apprenticeship
You will be working towards a level 4 higher apprenticeship qualification.
You will need to study and do written assignments as well as your full time job. You will be given time during your working week for study but you will also need to study during evenings and weekends.
To apply you must:
- be a non-graduate
- have at least 5 GCSEs (grades A* to C) including English language and maths
- be aged between 18 and 21
2. Engineering
We believe that the quality and variety of our training programmes, our accelerated paths to chartership and incorporated status, our personal mentoring and huge investment in each new entrant, sets us apart from any competitors in the engineering and science field.
DE&S offers a wide variety of exciting training schemes to suit your educational qualifications. This includes our world class graduate level training scheme, ‘The Defence Engineering and Science Group Graduate Scheme’.
For those not seeking a graduate scheme, DE&S also offers 2 prestigious apprenticeship schemes.
2.1 Graduate and apprentice engineering training schemes
Defence Engineering and Science Group (DESG) is a large community of professional engineers and scientists working within the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S).
The DE&S engineering training schemes and career paths available to you will depend on your current age and qualifications, so if you:
- are a graduate, with a degree in engineering, you could join the prestigious DESG Graduate Scheme
- are currently studying a suitable engineering degree, we may be able to sponsor you through DESG University Sponsorship
- have 3 ‘A’ levels, or equivalent you could join our DE&S Undergraduate Apprenticeship Scheme
- have 5 GCSE’s (at C or better), or the equivalent, you could join the highly regarded DE&S Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme
- are considering a sixth form education, you can do no better than the amazing Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College
Find out more about engineering in MOD.
3. Finance
3.1 Finance Apprentice Scheme
The portfolio of MOD’s business is unique. We acquire and support a huge range of equipment, services and infrastructure to support the armed forces in both the UK and overseas operations from the latest vehicles used on the front line in Afghanistan to new accommodation for service personnel. We have by far the largest and most diverse acquisition activity of all government departments, and are comparable to any of the main private sector companies.
The DE&S Finance Apprenticeship Scheme is recruited for annually and is a 2 year finance development scheme. Apprentices are required to have 5 GCSE’s grades A to C including maths and English, or equivalent, and 2 A Levels grades A to E in any subject, or equivalent is desirable.
For further information on the scheme and how to apply is available in the Finance Apprenticeship Scheme brochure here.
3.2 Finance Graduate Scheme
The DE&S Finance Graduate scheme provides a career opportunity in finance in the Ministry of Defence. There are in excess of 1000 finance staff in DE&S who work within the Operating Centre project and delivery teams that procure and support the equipment that MOD requires. This could be anything from army boots to warships, or ration packs to aircraft.
You will work alongside project managers, commercial officers, inventory managers, technical experts, risk managers and military colleagues to ensure that the equipment the MOD purchases is fit for purpose and achieves the best possible value for money.
The DE&S Finance Graduate Scheme is recruited for annually and is a 2 year finance development programme. Graduates with a minimum 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in any subject are eligible to apply, Applicants are assessed via the MOD Management Competency Test and an assessment centre.
Full details of the scheme and how to apply are included in the DE&S Finance Graduate Scheme brochure.
4. Commercial
4.1 Defence Commercial Apprentice Programme
The Defence Commercial Apprentice Programme is recruited for annually and is a 2 year development scheme. Applicants are required to have 5 GCSE’s, grades A to C, including maths and english, or equivalent. Two A Levels, grades A to E in any subject, or equivalent is desirable.
Further information and details of how to apply are available in the Defence Commercial Apprentice Programme brochure
4.2 Defence Commercial Graduate Programme
The Defence Commercial Graduate Programme provides a career opportunity in Purchasing and Contract Management in the Ministry of Defence (MOD). From army boots to aircraft and everything in between, the MOD purchases a range of equipment every year to support the armed forces in both UK and overseas operations.
And it doesn’t stop there; much of the equipment we purchase doesn’t come off the shelf so an essential part of the job is negotiating the details of the contracts we place, agreeing the terms of delivery and managing the equipment into service and beyond.
The Defence Commercial Graduate Programme is recruited for annually and is a 2 year commercial development programme. Graduates with a minimum 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in any subject are eligible to apply, however those with degrees in business management, law, politics, finance, science, engineering or defence-related disciplines may be particularly interested. For further information, please see the Defence Commercial Graduate Programme brochure.
.