DE&S Digital Technology Degree Apprenticeship

At Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), we’re here to provide for the Armed Forces, as they serve our country all over the world. We support those on the front line by providing cutting-edge equipment and technology for land, sea, air and space. We deliver the kit the UK military needs to maintain advantage and stay protected, as they protect life at home and overseas. 

You want to be an expert in your field one day. We want to help make it happen. You’ll discover new talents, pinpoint new ambitions, find a home among a diverse team – and be empowered to turn your gifts into an incredible career. Ready for real investment in your future? We’re developing tomorrow’s talent today. 

What sets DE&S apart is the focus we put on you. We help you find your flair and then plan a flourishing career around what you love. And along the way, you’ll enjoy real rewards for the work you do, with competitive benefits and career progression. 

Starting September 2024, you’ll undertake a comprehensive framework of practical and academic training. All apprentices will attend their academic provider on a day release basis. Our current academic provider is University College Weston.
 
You’ll be on a core programme for the first part of the apprenticeship before following a more specialised course either in Software Engineering or Cyber Security. 

Software Engineering 
The primary role of the Software Engineer is to ensure that what’s been designed, coded, and delivered by our manufacturing partners performs as intended. To do that our Software Engineers need to be able to design, build and test high-quality software solutions. This software may be for a complex weapon, a communications system, a ship, armoured vehicle, a helicopter or anything else in the huge range of equipment we supply to the UK armed forces. 

As a Software Engineer you’ll need to apply engineering principles to all stages of the software development process, from requirements, analysis and design, development and data requirements while ensuring our systems are secure. 
 
Cyber Security 
As a Cyber Security Specialist you’ll be involved in the implementation, maintenance and support of the security controls that protect our systems and data assets. The cyber teams’ responsibilities ensure the equipment we purchase, and support, for the UK Forces, weapons, vehicles, ships, aircraft, communications systems etc. is secure and properly protected. 

Cyber specialists ensure that security technologies and practices are operating in accordance with the organisation’s policies and standards to provide continued protection. They require a broad understanding of network infrastructure, software, and data to identify where threats and vulnerabilities can occur. 
 
For more information about the apprenticeship standard please have a look at the following link:

https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/digital-and-technology-solutions-professional-v1-2

Because of the classification of some of the information related to certain projects, some work-based placements may be open to Sole UK Nationals only.

You will be based at Abbey Wood, Bristol, BS34 8JH

You will be required to attend Abbey Wood regularly, at the request of your Scheme Manager or Placement Supervisor. This attendance will be at your own expense and costs for travel or accommodation will not be reimbursed.

Responsibilities 

You’ll participate in structured training, including a part time BSc in Digital Technology Solutions. You will gather experience and knowledge through several work-based placements at Defence Equipment & Support in Bristol as well as at our customers’ and suppliers’ sites around the UK. This will help you learn and gain the relevant experience in preparation for roles within the MoD’s current and future programmes. 

You’ll be involved with the following: 
 
•Participating in assigned educational training to develop your own capabilities in a defence context.  
•Delivering products/services against agreed objectives to develop knowledge and experience and add value to the team and wider business.  
•Building awareness and understanding of how the engineering and technology function and wider business operates to assist in own development and career progression.  
•Identifying opportunities to develop knowledge and experience to progress as an apprentice to Engineering Technician in the time specified.  
•Providing support to colleagues in their specialist area and actively contribute to team meetings to help with the work of the team.  
•Building and maintaining a network of internal business contacts and peers to gain knowledge and identify opportunities to learn and develop.

It takes lots of different people and lots of different skill sets to keep the UK Armed Forces fully equipped and well supported.

To be successful with your application, we are looking for you to demonstrate your potential to succeed in a dynamic working environment. We’re here to help you find your speciality, so we hire for aptitude and train for skills.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are dedicated to creating a great place to work that reflects the diversity of the society we serve. To help us do this, we encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, disabled people, and people from LGBTQ+ communities. By bringing together different ideas, experiences, and perspectives, we can achieve our ambitions, together.

You must hold the right to work full time in the UK and qualify for service under the Civil Service Nationality Rules without any additional immigration approvals, at the point of Assessment where we will be conducting our right to work checks. You must be able to supply evidence of this at interview. This must be in place by the time we conduct your pre-employment checks in April and not expire before the start of the scheme. If your right to work will expire while you are in employment, you must be able to reconfirm your right to work before it expires, without sponsorship, in order to maintain your employment.

Successful applicants may also have to go through Developed Vetting Clearance. 

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating staff on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harms associated with second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Tobacco-Free Working Environment (TFWE) programme, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere, unless stated otherwise, in the Defence working environment by 31st December 2022. Those seeking, considering, or accepting employment should be aware of this requirement.

Qualifications 

You must have or be studying to achieve the following qualifications by September 2024: 

Essential requirements:

Five full GCSEs at A*-C or grades 4-9 (or equivalent) to include English Language, Maths and Science (preferably Physics).

and 
 
Three full A Levels at a minimum of grade C to include Maths, Science, plus one other (excluding general studies). 

or 

Candidates must already have or will achieve a BTEC Extended Diploma in Computer Science at triple merit level. Minimum of 96 UCAS Points,

or 

Candidates must already have or will achieve a T-Level in Digital Production Design and Development. 
 
Desirable: 

A Level subjects in physics or computer science at minimum grade C

Demonstrable knowledge of coding/programming in languages such as Python, C++, C#. 

What to put on your CV:

Please clearly list your qualifications including your results or predicted grades, distinguishing between an English Language or English Literature qualification awarded.

Your CV will be assessed using a simple numerical scoring system against your Key achievements, Applied knowledge and skills, and Relevant Experience.

Please include on your CV how you meet the essential criteria and highlight your relevant experience and interests to support your application by opening with a personal profile. 

For guidance on writing a CV for DE&S, please click here  

If you hold or have studied towards a qualification at the same level or above in the same or a similar subject, please declare this within your CV so we can assess your eligibility.

To be eligible for this programme, you will need to:

• Be at least 16-years old at the start of the scheme
• Have the right to work in the UK.
• Have been a resident in the UK/EA/EEA continuously for 3-years before starting the apprenticeship.
• Have left full-time education when the apprenticeship starts.

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Technical requirements, evaluation and acceptance

• Alongside training and development, you’ll receive the following great benefits: 

  • £25,270 Starting Salary – with annual increments 
  • 25 days holiday a year, plus 1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday. 
  • A market-leading employer pension contribution of around 27 percent, and recognition awards. 
  • Flexible and hybrid working wherever possible, to support your work-life balance (though some attendance to the stated site is required)
  • Use of our on-site gym, restaurant, and cafes. 
  • A huge range of discounts including retail, sports, leisure, restaurants, gifts, days out, holidays, cinema, motoring, insurance, health care, gym memberships, and more. 

Further Information 

More information can be found below: 

• DE&S Little Book of Big Benefits: https://bit.ly/3FEb54v
• Further Information: https://bit.ly/3K26Xhl
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/3yUwcM1

Job contact :

• Name : Rachel Davison
• Email : DESHR-ETCoE-Recruitment@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dbscivpers-engapprentice@mod.gov.uk