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UK Ministry of Defence

DE&S Protective Security Adviser Apprenticeship Scheme

On site

Bristol, United kingdom

Mid level

Internship

26-01-2026

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Skills

Training Artificial Intelligence Mathematics

Job Specifications

MOD Abbey Wood, Filton, Bristol, BS34 8JH

Job Summary

Location: MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol, BS34 8JH (office attendance required)

Duration: 24 – 26 months

Start Date: September 2026

Salary: £23,280 (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 hands‑on experience, professional development, and the opportunity to learn from security specialists working across Defence to ensure that critical activities remain safe, secure and resilient.

Job Description

During this apprenticeship, you'll 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

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

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

Person specification

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).

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

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Making Effective Decisions
Delivering at Pace

Alongside your salary of £23,280, Ministry of Defence contributes £6,744 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Salary of £23,280 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

Artificial intelligence

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 our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours.

Application Process

Apply Online (26 Ja

About the Company

We protect the security, independence and interests of the United Kingdom at home and abroad. We work with our allies and partners whenever possible. Our aim is to ensure that the UK’s Armed Forces have the training, equipment and support necessary for their work, and that we keep within budget. Our priorities 2015 to 2020 are to: · protect our people · project our global influence · promote our prosperity · maintain a strategic base and integrated global support network, and manage the D... Know more