There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of seeing the results of a project you’ve been at the heart of. Particularly when the results keep people, information and assets safe. And every project you work on with FCDO Services will feel rewarding. What will that look like? Well, the work you do will be high-profile, of national importance and require the highest level of security as you help deliver work that supports UK diplomacy at home and overseas. You could be rolling out new secure Wi-Fi in government buildings across the globe, supporting the delivery of secure technology to the world’s most isolated areas, or you may manage a project undertaking renovation works and coordinating repairs to flood-damaged embassies on remote islands. All round, it makes an inspiring backdrop to a career in project management.

Whether you’re a school-leaver, returning to work after a career break or just looking for a career change, become an Apprentice in Project Management with us, and you’ll get varied, hands-on experience you won’t find anywhere else. You’ll learn from established project managers (PMs) who’ll empower you to succeed and you’ll study towards either a BA or BSc (Hons) degree in Project Management, all while enjoying the benefits that come with working in the Civil Service. During your programme, you’ll also work towards an International Project Management Association (IPMA) Level D qualification or equivalent and achieve an APM Fundamentals and APM (PMQ) Project Management Qualification. One thing’s for sure, your future will 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?
After an intensive induction, you’ll dive straight in, splitting your time 80/20 between working on live projects and university work, with time built in for your studies. Working alongside an experienced team, your time at work will be spent immersed in real projects, building up the knowledge that will equip you with everything you need to deliver a world-class service that helps protect the UK.

You’ll spend your first year working in different areas of the business, including cost engineering, logistics and our customer contact centre, so you get a broad appreciation of what it takes to put complex projects together from all angles. Mentored by senior PMs ¬– and many other functions that assist in project delivery – you’ll be working on live projects for our customers, both in the UK and overseas, throughout your programme. This means you can put what you learn at college into practice as you support in everything from creating and monitoring project plans to delivering governance documentation, forecasting project budgets and reviewing health and safety documentation.

This programme gives you the opportunity to build and develop your skills in all areas of project management, from resource and financial control to effective risk, budget and contract management. And as you develop, you’ll get the chance to oversee small projects of your own, from coordinating the deployment of resources overseas to conduct feasibility studies to managing overseas builds ensuring our on-site teams have the resources they need. Towards the end of your programme, you’ll also have the opportunity to travel overseas and see some of the projects in action.

It’s challenging, vital work. But you’ll get the support you need to tackle it all, including juggling multiple activities and ensuring tasks are completed accurately, even with tight deadlines and budgetary constraints. In everything you do, your ideas will be encouraged, and your contribution greatly valued.

This is hands-on training at its best, learning all aspects of what it takes to manage and deliver complex, global projects that help keep our government customers and information safe. Over the four years, you’ll be part of an inclusive, welcoming team doing practical work that will support the success of your studies. And once you’ve completed the programme, you’ll gain a professional qualification that will be recognised anywhere in the world.

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 four GCSEs (or equivalent e.g. O levels) including Maths and English at grades 9-4 (A*-C)
• Have a minimum of three A levels at grades A*-C, preferably with at least one in Maths, Business Studies, IT, Engineering, Science or another numerate subject, or an equivalent qualification
• Have a genuine interest in project management
• Be able to juggle multiple tasks and have good time management skills which will be vital to keeping everything on track
• Be proactive, collaborative, inquisitive and eager to learn
• 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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