Cyber Specialist Development Programme - Registration of Interest Ref. 3389
Department: Cyber
Location(s): Lancashire, Samlesbury
Salary: £25,856 with promotion opportunities at 18 months, increasing to £34,663 after promotion interview and assessment.
Location: Lancashire, with significant time in Samlesbury and at another location in Lancashire.
Flexible working: Not available during the 18-month programme, which requires an on-site presence at the training provider’s location or at Samlesbury. After completing the programme, compressed or part-time hours will be available.
GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber, and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting-edge technology, ingenuity, and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners, MI5, and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber-attacks and espionage. At GCHQ, you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.
If you’ve always thought you need tech experience or specific qualifications to work for GCHQ, think again. On our Cyber Specialist Development Programme, you won’t need a background in STEM – just a natural curiosity and aptitude for technology.
On this 18-month programme, you’ll get all the training, experience, and support you need to launch an exciting career in cyber security. Based at a set Lancashire place of study and paid for by GCHQ, you’ll be equipped with the cybersecurity skills and knowledge you’ll need to join our Computer Network Exploitation (CNE) team. And once the programme ends, you’ll get the chance to join us full time.
You’ll attend lectures and seminars, carry out self-study, join supervised lab sessions, and experience real-world simulations. Alongside the course, you’ll spend time at the Samlesbury location with the CNE team, getting to know your colleagues, exploring specialist tools and systems, and experiencing life at our organisation. You’ll grow in confidence too, as you discover how your genuine interest in tech can lead to a fascinating career as a cyber specialist capable of securing our digital borders.
Minimum Requirements:
To join, you’ll need two GCSEs/O-Levels at grade C/4 or above in Maths and English Language. Alternatively, you’ll have equivalent Level 2 qualifications, such as an NVQ or Intermediate Apprenticeship in Maths and English Language subjects. You could be finishing school, leaving university, or looking to change careers - you’ll be someone motivated by the idea of making a real, tangible impact in a role with purpose.
Interested? Why not join us at our upcoming virtual event to find out more? You’ll hear from the team, find out what it’s like working with us, and get the chance to ask your own questions.
The application window for this role will open on Monday, 13th January 2025. In the meantime, we’d particularly encourage:
1. All those from an ethnic minority background*
2. Women from any background*
to register their interest in this forthcoming opportunity.
As part of the registration of interest, you’ll be invited to an online event prior to the campaign opening. This will be a virtual event where you can find out more about our organisation and the role. This event will last for approximately 1 hour and will take place on Friday, 10th January 2025.
*Please note that we are confining registrations of interest to the above groups only, due to their current under-representation in our workforce.
Before you Register:
To work for us, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. You can read our full eligibility criteria here.
This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. You can find out more about the vetting process here.
A registration of interest does not constitute a job application, nor will such registration have any bearing upon the recruitment process itself.
Any individuals who register their interest and who decide subsequently to apply for the Cyber Specialist Development Programme role will need to complete an application form once the window for applications has opened.
Once the application window has opened, we will welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of their ethnic background, gender, disability, and/or any other characteristic(s).
All applications will be assessed solely on merit.
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