NAD Group Security Apprenticeship Scheme

Role overview

This apprenticeship sits within the Security Profession at the UK Ministry of Defence, now integrated into the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group through Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S). The programme is designed to give practical experience alongside study toward a Level 4 qualification, with a focus on protecting people, information, technology and defence capability.

The post is based at MOD Abbey Wood in Filton, Bristol (BS34 8JH), and requires office attendance. It is a full-time scheme starting in January 2027 and lasting 26 to 30 months.

You will work on live security activity from the outset, building capability across personnel, physical, cyber and technical security. The role is intended to develop future Protective Security Advisers through hands-on learning, rotation across specialist teams, and exposure to real operational challenges.

What the apprenticeship involves

• Learning directly from experienced security specialists
• Building practical skills that can be applied throughout your career
• Contributing to real work that affects Defence security
• Working within a supportive team environment
• Rotating across specialist Security Profession teams during the programme
• Developing experience in personnel, physical and cyber security
• Identifying emerging threats and spotting weaknesses before they become risks
• Helping assess complex security issues and propose proportionate controls
• Supporting the creation and delivery of security briefings
• Maintaining and reviewing asset and risk registers
• Taking part in protective security planning and assurance activity
• Communicating effectively with a broad range of stakeholders
• Promoting good practice and strengthening security culture across DE&S

Entry criteria and eligibility

Applicants need five full GCSEs at grades 4 to 9, including English Language and Mathematics, plus two A Levels at a minimum grade C.

Equivalent qualifications in the same subject area and at the required level may also be accepted. Final-year students may apply with official predicted grades, provided all qualifications are evidenced by the end of September 2026.

To be eligible, you must have lived in the UK for the last 5 years, be able to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance, and already have the right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not offered. You must not already hold higher-level qualifications in the same or a closely related subject, and you must no longer be in full-time education by the start of the scheme.

Selection process

The recruitment process uses the Civil Service Success Profiles approach and focuses on behaviours.

Stages are expected to include:

• Online application window: 6 July to 27 July 2026
• Online assessments: July/August 2026
• Eligibility review: August 2026
• Assessment centre at DE&S headquarters, MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol: September 2026
• Provisional offers: September 2026
• Pre-employment checks and onboarding: October to December 2026
• Scheme induction and start: January 2027

The assessment centre will include an interview, presentation and group activity, and attendance in person is required. Virtual attendance is not available.

Assessment behaviours

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

Pay and benefits

The salary is £23,280 with annual increments. Alongside pay, the Ministry of Defence contributes £6,744 toward membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

• 25 days of leave, plus bank holidays and one extra privilege day
• Employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Flexible working options and access to on-site facilities
• Professional training and funding toward qualifications
• Access to employee networks that support diversity and inclusion
• A wide range of staff discounts

Important conditions

• Your application must clearly include the qualifications needed to meet the minimum selection criteria; missing details may prevent eligibility checks
• If you have technical issues submitting your application, you should keep screenshots and email DESHR-ETCoE-Recruitment@mod.gov.uk
• Where it is not practical to invite everyone who passes to the assessment centre, invites may be limited and prioritised based on how closely applicants match the criteria
• Offers are issued in merit order
• If no roles are available after assessment, you may be offered an alternative or lower-level role in a similar area, or placed on a reserve list for 12 months
• Security clearance must be granted without caveats that would stop you performing the role; if not, any conditional offer may be withdrawn
• SC clearance can take time, and the offer may be withdrawn if clearance is not obtained within 12 months
• Some placements may be restricted to Sole UK Nationals because of information classification
• Office attendance and attendance at a training provider site, where relevant, are required
• Travel and accommodation costs for office attendance or assessment centres are not reimbursed
• This position does not come with relocation allowance
• If assessment scores are tied, ranking will be decided in this order: Communicating and Influencing, Working Together, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace
• Further tie-breaking may be based on assessment feedback from the scheme lead
• Feedback is only provided to candidates who attend the assessment centre

Artificial intelligence guidance

Artificial intelligence tools may support an application, but all examples and statements must be truthful, accurate and based on the applicant’s own experience. Applications may be withdrawn, and internal candidates may face disciplinary action, if plagiarism or misrepresentation is identified.

Diversity, inclusion and conduct

DE&S is a Disability Confident Level 3 leader and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments are available for disabled candidates. The Civil Service Disability Confident Scheme may provide an interview or assessment-centre opportunity to candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria.

The Ministry of Defence has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination and victimisation. Anyone dismissed for such conduct within the last five years, or who left a role and would otherwise have been dismissed for gross misconduct, is not eligible for this post.

Apprenticeship outcome

By the end of the scheme, you are expected to have developed the practical knowledge and judgement needed to contribute to protective security work and move toward a future role as a Protective Security Adviser.