If you’re looking for an apprenticeship that’s abuzz with activity, you’ve found it. On any given day, you’ll spot our Corporate Communications team planning events and PR campaigns, designing creative marketing materials, writing internal communications, or even briefing the CEO ahead of speaking to journalists. Whether you’re a school-leaver, career-changer, or simply interested in this area, if you succeed as an apprentice here, you’ll come away with a Level 4 apprenticeship qualification – and the chance to land a permanent role that opens up all sorts of future possibilities.

But who are we?
At FCDO Services (formerly known as FCO Services), we work with government-level customers to protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We do that through a wide range of services, all delivered to the highest security standards, including construction, digital solutions, communications, logistics, and counter-eavesdropping. And in everything we do, we always keep our customer promise: to be reliable, responsive, and build relationships.

So what will you do?
As our apprentice, you’ll get involved in all aspects of what we do. We’re talking about creating compelling marketing content, writing creative blogs, building pages on our website, and finding new ways to communicate with colleagues and customers alike. You’ll learn how to plan PR campaigns or events and raise FCDO Services’ profile externally, as well as developing the top-quality internal work already in progress.

Working across both the Public Relations (PR) and Communications teams, you’ll produce fresh content for our social and digital channels – identifying and promoting good news stories, achievements and the positive work of FCDO Services. It’s all part of how you’ll communicate the organisation’s brand, values and messaging in a consistent and impactful way. Alongside all this, you’ll help organise any PR and marketing events, including high-profile VIP visits to King Charles Street or Hanslope Park. That means getting stuck in from start to finish: implementing PR campaigns, creating press releases, running the events themselves, and seeking out future publicity opportunities.

In short, this is a role packed full of influence, where you’ll build your skills and widen your options – all with the benefits of a career in the Civil Service. So we think it’s fair to say that by joining us, your future just got bigger.
What we look for
This apprenticeship is open to everyone, but you must:

• Be a British Citizen who’s lived in the UK for the last three years before the first day of your apprenticeship (usually September of the year you’re applying)
• Be at least 16 years old by mid June 2021
• Have at least two GCSEs (or equivalent e.g. O Levels, Functional Skills Level 2) in Maths and English at grades 9-4 (A*-C)
• Be a natural communicator with excellent writing skills, able to think outside the box and come up with fresh ideas
• Have good knowledge of current affairs, the PR industry, media and marketing
• Be proficient using the Microsoft Office suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Be genuinely interested in PR and communications

If you already have a qualification at the same or a higher level, you may not be able to apply unless the apprenticeship qualification provides learning and skills that are materially different to what you’ve studied before.

It takes a diverse team to protect a diverse world.
The vital work we do takes an incredible community of colleagues, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures and identities. We support every individual, so that you always know you’re welcome and valued. It’s what makes us a Disability Confident employer. And a Stonewall Diversity Champion. And Employers for Carers. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.

Vetting
All our employees have to be security cleared before joining us, so you’ll need to undergo a vetting process if you’re successful in your application. This role would require you to undergo Security Check (SC) clearance. You can find out more about vetting on our website or on Gov.uk.

IMPORTANT: For further information on these roles and the assessment and interview dates, please download the Candidate Information Pack x 2 and Role Profile highlighted below.

FCDO Services are regulated by the Civil Service Commission.