Building custom one-offs. Manufacturing unique products. Thinking up solutions to practical engineering problems. It’s all happening in our workshops, where we make a wide range of products: everything from window frames for an 18th Century embassy to bespoke security door hinges at a brand-new government site. Join as an Apprentice Wood Workshop Technician, and you’ll enjoy a blend of hands-on experience and specialist training, learning the tools of the trade from the very best. Succeed, and you’ll gain a Level 3 Advanced Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship qualification – as well as the chance to bag a full-time role in the team.

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?
With a mix of on-the-job learning, machine-specific training and more formal study, you’ll develop the practical and specialist skills we need in our top-quality workshops. It’ll see you get to grips with things like cross cutting, panel sawing and dovetailing, to name a few of the skills you’ll build. As you do so, you’ll also soak up invaluable advice and guidance from our expert Workshop Technicians and Engineers – and help us to produce any products our customers need.

As part of your development, you might also join other workshops or teams (Electronic, Metal, Locks, Quality Assurance) to lend a helping hand and grow your skillset. It’s how you’ll discover what goes into the kind of projects we’re involved in, such as restoring a historic staircase in an embassy or making all the fittings for a secure government site overseas. Alongside all this, you’ll keep an eye on the horizon, helping to research and develop potential future products or services, and spotting opportunities to boost your own professional development.

In short, no matter if you’re a school-leaver, career-changer, or simply interested in woodwork, at FCDO Services you’ll grow your specialist skills, have exceptional impact and widen your options – all with the benefits of a career in the Civil Service. So we think it’s fair to say: 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 apply), and for at least five of the last ten years
• Be at least 16 years old by mid June 2021
• Have a minimum Grade 3/D in GCSE English and Maths, or Functional Skills Level 2 in both
• Aptitude in a Science, Maths, Engineering or related subject
• Have good manual dexterity
• Be genuinely interested in carpentry and/or joinery

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 will need to undergo a vetting process if you’re successful in your application. This role would require you to undergo Security Check (SC) clearance before joining, and Developed Vetting (DV) shortly after joining. 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.