DE&S Protective Security Adviser Apprenticeship Scheme

Location:MOD Abbey Wood Bristol BS34 8JH (office attendance required)
Duration: 24 26 months
Start Date:September 2026
Salary:23280 (with annual increments)

Entry Requirements:Five full GCSEs at grades 4-9 including English Language and Mathematics and two A Levels at minimum grade C

Working Pattern:Full-time

Overview:
Join the DE&S Security Profession in a vital role that helps protect our people information assets and capabilities. This apprenticeship scheme offers hands-on experience and the opportunity to work towards a Level 4 qualification. As a Security Apprentice you will play an active part in identifying vulnerabilities understanding threats and supporting the delivery of protective security measures across a diverse organisation. This scheme develops the foundational skills needed to contribute to a converged security approach integrating personnel physical technical and cyber security in line with the Government Security Framework. You will gain handson experience professional development and the opportunity to learn from security specialists working across Defence to ensure that critical activities remain safe secure and resilient.

What Youll Do:

During this apprenticeship youll rotate across a variety of Security Profession teams developing practical experience in personnel physical and cyber security.

You will:

• support the identification of threats and vulnerabilities

• help assess security risks

• contribute to developing proportionate mitigations that protect Defence people assets and information.

Working with internal and external partners you will:

• assist in producing security briefings

• maintain asset and risk registers

• contribute to protective security planning and assurance activity

• gain experience communicating effectively with stakeholders

• support the adoption of protective security best practice across DE&S building the core capabilities required of a future Protective Security Adviser

Read more about the Apprenticeship Standards here:Protective security adviser / Skills England

What We Offer:

• Salary of 23280 with annual increments

• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays and an extra privilege day)

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97%

• Flexible working options and access to on-site facilities

• Professional training and funding for qualifications

• Access to employee networks promoting diversity and inclusion

• Huge range of discounts

Eligibility:

• UK residency for the last 5 years

• Security Check (SC) clearance required

• Right to work in the UK (DE&S does not sponsor visas)

• Must not hold existing higher-level qualifications in the same or a similar subject

• Must no longer be in full-time education by the start of the scheme

Minimum selection criteria:

• Five full GCSEs at grades 4-9 including English Language and Mathematics and Two A Levels at minimum grade C

• Pass at online assessment stage

Final-year students can apply with official predicted grades; all qualifications must be evidenced by end of August 2026. (Equivalent level qualifications to GCSEs in the required subject and grades will also be considered).

Application Process

1. Apply Online (26 Jan 16 Feb 2026)

   Complete an online application form using the link in this advert. Complete all information accurately including how you meet our minimum selection criteria. Please allow sufficient time to complete and submit your application to meet the deadline and be able to contact us in case of technical difficulties. Applications that are not fully submitted by the deadline cannot be accepted.

2. Online Assessments (Feb 2026)

   Well ask you to complete some interactive assessments. These should take around 35 - 40 minutes. They will provide us with insight into your adaptability how you interact and learn new skills and how you will naturally act and think at work.

3. Eligibility checks (March 2026)

   We will review your application form to ensure you meet our minimum selection criteria and nationality requirements.

4. Assessment Centre (April 2026)

   Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an assessment centre at DE&S headquarters MOD Abbey Wood Bristol. There will be limited dates available. Youll undertake an interview presentation and a group activity. Please note attendance is required in person as virtual participation is not available.

5. Provisional Offer (May 2026)

   We will offer based on order of merit to the number of roles available.

6. Onboarding (May Aug 2026)

   All pre-employment checks will take place to ensure you evidence our minimum selection and eligibility criteria to undertake a role within the MOD. If all are successful we will provide a formal offer of employment.

7. Induction (September 2026)

   Subject to confirmation this scheme is expected to start September 2026.

Additional Information

• Your application form must list your qualifications to meet the minimum selection criteria if missing we will be unable to qualify you against our eligibility checks.
• Should you encounter any technical difficulties submitting your application please take screenshots and email us. Without screenshots of the issue we may be unable to progress your application.
• On occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to invite all successful candidates to an assessment centre we may limit the number of invites this circumstance we may prioritise interviewing candidates who align most closely to the selection criteria. Information for this will be drawn from other sources of information from your application such as your CV.

• We will assess you on the followingD&S Behaviours during the selection process:

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
  • Making Effective Decisions

  • Delivering at Pace

• Civil Service offers are made in order of merit. If you have passed our assessment centre but there are no roles available we may offer you an alternative or lower role in a similar position that matches your skills and experience or you may remain on a reserve list for 12 months.
• Security clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role youve been recruited for. If it isnt obtained prior to the start of the scheme or is obtained with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn.
• Due to the classification of information associated with certain projects some work-based placements are restricted to Sole UK Nationals only.
• Office attendance and attendance to a training providers site (where applicable) will be required. Travel and accommodation costs for office attendance or assessment centres are not reimbursed.

• This post is not eligible for relocation allowances.

• Please Note: In the event of a tied score at Assessment Centre the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the ranking of the assessed behaviours below:

1. Communicating and Influencing

2. Working Together

3. Making Effective Decisions

4. Delivering at Pace

In the event of the need for further merit differentiation the scheme lead will order candidates in merit using candidate assessment feedback.

• Please view and save our Candidate Information Pack:DE&S Candidate Information Pack

Diversity and Inclusion

As a Disability Confident level 3 leader DE&S is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and offer reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria and offer them an interview or assessment centre opportunity if they meet the minimum criteria for the job.

On occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to invite all Disability Confident candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria to an assessment centre we may limit the number of invites this circumstance we may prioritise interviewing candidates who align most closely to the selection criteria. Information for this will be drawn from other sources of information from your application such as your CV.

The job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals

• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland

• Nationals from the EU EEA or Switzerland with (or eligible for) status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

• Relevant EU EEA Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service

• Relevant EU EEA Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service

• Certain family members of the relevant EU EEA Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements

Civil Service Information

• Civil Service Recruitment Principles:Recruitment Principles - Civil Service Commission

• Terms and Conditions:

• Civil Service Code:The Code - Civil Service Commission

Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessedhere.

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application however all examples and statements provided must be truthful factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others or generated by artificial intelligence as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see ourcandidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Conflicts of Interest

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not in the majority of cases prevent employment in MOD but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

Contact

Have a question or a request for a reasonable adjustment Email us at

Apply now to start your career and make a difference for the UK Armed Forces!