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Salary• Higher apprenticeship, working towards a BSc degree in Building Surveying
• A 78 month programme – 60 months for the degree element plus 18 months for the end point assessment
• Starting salary package £28,082 (including location allowance) with a potential yearly increase of base salary, depending on performance
• Potential salary package upon qualification £40,510 (including location allowance)
• Excellent benefits, including Civil Service pension scheme, fully funded qualification, 25 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays and flexible working opportunities
• Based at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, King Charles Street, Westminster, London
• Opportunities for overseas travel
Delivering specialist surveys of government buildings around the world. Helping to produce the technical specifications for the refurbishment of offices. Developing the design information we need to build new accommodation in remote locations. Whether you’re a school-leaver, returning to work after a career break or looking to go in an entirely new direction, by the end of this apprenticeship, you’ll be helping to protect our customers at the very highest security classifications. And you’ll be using your new skills and expertise to keep our people, information and assets safe around the world.
Let’s introduce ourselves
At FCDO Services, we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings, courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech, and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of the value of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we're on. In our world, it all matters.
So what will you do?
Balancing practical, hands-on work in the UK and at locations around the world with stimulating academic study, you’ll enjoy the support and encouragement of your experienced colleagues in our Building Surveying and Quantity Surveying teams. As you grow your knowledge and develop your skills, you’ll be given more responsibility, quickly learning how we keep complex projects on track and on budget.
As well as understanding how your own role helps the group achieve its objectives, you’ll also gain broad knowledge of the work of FCDO Services. And you’ll assist team leaders and other colleagues in the production of everything from accurate designs and drawings to technical documentation, surveys and reports.
It all adds up to an apprenticeship packed with variety, impact and unforgettable experiences. It’s also a chance to experience different cultures and building standards as you help provide the most cost effective and sustainable approach to delivering projects of vital importance to the security of our nation.
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 2024), and for at least five of the last ten years
• Be at least 16 years old by 1 July 2024 so you can obtain Security Check (SC) clearance before your start date
• Have a minimum of five GCSEs (or their equivalent) including Maths and English at grades 9-4 (A*-C)
• A Level BBB or BTEC National Diploma DDM or access to a HE qualification with 24 Distinctions 21 Merits or equivalent level 3 qualifications worth 128 UCAS points
• Have excellent IT skills and familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite of software
• Be a confident communicator with good team-working and collaborative skills
• Possess confident written and verbal communication skills
• Have a keen interest in design and construction and be ready to deliver at pace in a fast-moving environment
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
Our Virtual Embassy gives you lots of insights about our world, and the impact you could have here. Explore it: https://virtual-embassy.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/
To learn the ins and outs of life as an apprentice with us and get tips for your application, go to: https://www.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/career-areas/apprenticeships/
London based posts attract a Location Allowance of £5,000 per annum.
FCDO Services are regulated by the Civil Service Commission.
