Join the Q: British intel agencies seek tech-savvy apprentices GCHQ, MI5 and MI6 are searching for would-be Qs, technically minded apprentices keen to cut their teeth working for British intelligence. Would-be tech quartermasters have until 14 November to get in their security service apprenticeship applications for this year's scheme. An apprenticeship "could be a tempting alternative to …
An apprenticeship "could be a tempting alternative to a university degree – and a unique start to a career"
What about in the future when your CV won't get past the automated "Degree Required" filter and go straight in the "reject" pile.
While I applaud the reintroduction of modern apprenticeships I fear it may take some time for this "innovation" to percolate through the Recruitment Consultants & Human Refuse departments.
The advice given to me when leaving the civil service where I did various /Redacted/ things was
Fill out the CV with "MoD Civil servant (starting date)-(finishing date)", with a bare outline of your job title.
and the address of your last posting.
If they want to know more, tell them to write to the address and ask, but all they'll get back is "(applicant) was a MoD Civil servant (staring date)-(finishing date), position held (whatever)"
"I could tell you all what I did, but then I'd goto prison" is also an option during interviews
At Bletchley Park, I was explaining Tunny to my mother in law. The guy who should have been explaining it asked "Oh. Have you worked there?"
I haven't, (and never will do,) so replied "No, but I've done a bit of maths."
And he looked me up and down, and said "Thought so, the real ones always deny it."
I felt like Brian denying divinity.
My latest job vacancies email included "Cyber Security Trainee" so I followed the link to look at the details. But the website demands a password stronger than my banking password. WTF***gF***? A ****g job vacancies website? NO. More and more this is happening, jumped up pissant websites thinking the information they hold is so so so valuable even more valuable than access to your money that they make it harder to apply for a job than it is to get to your money.
@lost all faith
No, he has a point. Security comes from a variety of directions. Simply having a 'complicated' password adds nothing if it's stored in plain text! And it may be counter-productive if the rules are so esoteric (must include one 5-letter Latvian word in UPPERCASE, and seven digits between 2 and 3) that the only way to remember it is to use a Post-it note.
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I pursued a full technician apprenticeship, at the world's first wireless factory, was put through technical college for a 'tec then 'HNC' (higher tec). I did start a degree in science at the OU but haven't finished it yet. Where I did find a career (after a U.K. defence downturn when I was suggested by HR to 'flee') was first Germany, they are used to apprenticeships & technical qualifications. So I enjoyed my work at R&S and was very pleased to meet Dr.Rohde.
I then moved to Switzerland where CERN was extremely happy to employ 'electroniciens' - their analogue is a diploma from the Hautes Ecoles
and now I'm still in scientific research in another part of Europe, where there remains a grading structure for exactly the apprentice career. I'll probably stay here unless technical salaries in the U.K. quadruple.
I agree that in USA or say Doha, the BSc + nowadays an MSc would give a great career path in STEM. However I did earn £37.50 each week , every week, whilst an apprentoid & whilst doing the 'tec, which is a bit better than the negative 27 grand for a BSc nowadays!
How many young people can actually commute to central london.. not may.
Clearly they are looking for you put their influence on them rather than seeking out experienced veterans from.
20 years go I got a 1:1, exploring opportunities talking to a someone who trains people in this kind of thing they said sorry wrong university even before I told them what I Honored in.
Same with most of the establishment, try and Find a QC not from a particular private school, you won't!
I think the bit about "a job in London" is mainly just to attract more applicants. Most of GCHQ is based in Cheltenham, and that's where almost all the jobs will be.
A few people might get taken on in London, but most will end up working in the doughnut.
But hey, at least if you live in Cheltenham you'll be handy for at least a couple of those public schools.
20 years go I got a 1:1, exploring opportunities talking to a someone who trains people in this kind of thing they said sorry wrong university even before I told them what I Honored in.
Times change thankfully, pity you couldn't have said 'but you let a gay genius save the world from two more years of total war.'
Speaking hypothetically, what happens is:
you get to the stage where you agree a start date in 3 to 4 months time,
a few weeks later you spend all day on the train (at your expense) to get to their office for a drug test (i.e. they take a few hairs from your head)
then they ask for personal details of friends and family for positive vetting (or whatever it is called in these cybertimes)
finally you email a week before that date to check first-day arrangements only to be told that there is no apprenticeship for you, good luck with the rest of your life, and don't bother replying to this message - leaving the nasty suspicion that they either didn't leave enough time for the vetting or an unexpected proportion of those applying had passed it
If you have a job, or are a student looking for a summer job that will look good on your cv, you are taking a significant risk applying to one of these institutions - hypothetically.
What he said. Although, hypothetically, you may make it through vetting and have been given a start date when they decide that there's no budget to hire.
Realistically these jobs (and many other public sector jobs) are only open to those already in employment who can afford the long wait to get accepted and high risk of rejection at the last minute.
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