Ever wondered what it would be like to help design a brand-new British embassy overseas? Curious about the work that goes into designing and constructing a secure communications environment for a high commission on the other side of the world? Want to be part of making building or IT upgrades to government buildings damaged by floods? Well, it’s all possible on an apprenticeship in Design and Construction Management with FCDO Services. Not only that, but you’ll also gain the knowledge, skills and experience to build a great career path and get a real chance to influence the security of the UK’s most sensitive assets.

Whether you’re a school-leaver, returning to work after a career break or just looking for a career change, this apprenticeship will give you the chance to do meaningful work for incredible customers. All while working towards a fully recognised qualification. Put another way: you’ll see your future get a whole lot bigger.

Let’s introduce ourselves
We are FCDO Services, and our work is as varied and vital as it gets. A trusted government partner for over 75 years, we provide a range of secure services to help support diplomacy, international development and defence for UK government departments at home and abroad. We operate in over 250 destinations, across 168 countries. We design and construct secure government buildings. We help earthquake-proof embassies. We courier diplomatic packages over land, sea and air. We keep complex projects on track, and on budget. We store visa applications securely in the Cloud. And a whole lot more besides.

So what will you do?
Keeping people, information and assets safe is no easy task. It takes extensive expertise and experience. And that’s what you’ll gain on this four-year apprenticeship. From day one you’ll combine academic learning and practical work, immersed in the Secure Construction Design team, learning from industry professionals that will value your input and opinion.

Our construction projects are varied and can take us all over the world – wherever and whenever our customers need us. You could find yourself working on a seismic retrofit for an embassy in Asia. You could be at the heart of structural repairs following a 7.1 magnitude earthquake. You could help design and oversee the construction of new governmental buildings, diplomatic residences and secure perimeters here and overseas. Whatever the project, your input and ideas will be valued from the moment you arrive. And the talented industry professionals you’ll work with will all support your learning on everything from how to use drawing software like AutoCAD and REVIT to how to navigate specification software like NBS. As well as helping you develop stakeholder engagement and management skills.

This is an apprenticeship filled with variety and value. You’ll be supported through your learning and empowered to achieve the highest possible grade, setting you up for success once you’ve completed the programme, whether you decide to pursue a role with us or further training. What’s more, you’ll get the chance to visit parts of the world you might never have imagined, doing work that makes a difference and helps support the security of our government customers.

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 (aiming to start September 2023), and for at least five of the last ten years
• Be at least 16 years old by 30 April 2023 so you can complete Security Check (SC) clearance before your start date
• Have a minimum of five GCSEs (or equivalent e.g. O levels) including Maths and English at grades 9-4 (A*-C)
• Hold a construction-related Level 4 Apprenticeship; or a construction-related HE/HNC/HND qualification; or commensurate work experience
• Have a genuine interest in construction and the built environment
• Be organised and methodical
• Be reliable, responsive, easy to work with and able to build relationships

Please note: if you already have a qualification at the same (or a higher level) in a similar discipline, 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. If your qualification is in a different field, then you are eligible to apply.

Vetting

Because of the secure nature of what we do for our government-level customers, all our employees have to be security cleared before joining us. That’s why, if you’re successful in your application, you’ll need to go through a vetting process. This role will require you to undergo Security Check (SC) clearance before joining, and Developed Vetting (DV) clearance shortly after joining. It’s important information to know, so make sure you read the details before applying. You can find out more about vetting on our careers site or by visiting: www.gov.uk/guidance/united-kingdom-security-vetting-applicant

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 Employers for Carers. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.

Step into our Virtual Embassy
Want to take a closer look at what we do? Our Virtual Embassy will give you lots of different insights about our world, and the impact you could have here. To get exploring, visit: https://virtual-embassy.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/


FCDO Services are regulated by the Civil Service Commission.

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