DE&S apprentice recruitment 2018: applicant information
Updated 19 March 2018
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Location information
The majority of the vacancies are Bristol (Abbey Wood) based apprenticeships. There will also be a number of vacancies in Plymouth (HMNB Devonport).
Both apprenticeships are open for applications. You can apply for the Bristol vacancy at Civil Service Jobs and the Plymouth vacancy at Civil Service Jobs, the closing date for both apprenticeships is 8 May 2018.
Contact Us
The apprentice recruitment process is managed by Defence Business Service (civilian HR). If you have any queries or concerns with the application process itself, please e-mail dbscivpers-engapprentice@mod.gov.uk.
If you have any questions on the DE&S apprenticeship, in the first instance please read all of the information below and the additional information on the DE&S Engineering Management Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme page.
If you are unable to find the information required, please email the Apprenticeship Management Team at destech-amtmailbox@mod.gov.uk and we will respond within 5 working days.
Eligibility
The scheme is open to anyone over the age of 16 years at the start date of the apprenticeship.
You should hold or expect to gain if you are still at school or college a minimum of 5 GCSE grades A to C, grades 4 to 9 or MOD recognised equivalent. The subjects must be english, maths, a science or engineering subject and any two others.
Some examination boards differentiate between english “literature” and “language”. If this is the case, you must hold, or be predicted to hold, english language (although english literature could be included as one of the two additional subjects). If only a combined english subject is taken this will be acceptable as the compulsory english subject.
Information for applicants with disabilities
The MOD is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and which promote equality of opportunity. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet our minimum selection criteria.
For applicants who hold the minimum level of qualifications required to be eligible for consideration, the suitability assessment is considered to be the guaranteed interview under the MOD guaranteed interview scheme. If you require any reasonable adjustments in order to attend the interview, please contact the apprentice management team at destech-amtmailbox@mod.gov.uk.
Selection process
Applicants meeting the above criteria will be required to take a selection test held at either Bridgwater and Taunton College or a venue in Plymouth. If the number of suitable applicants exceeds the number of applicants we decide to test, priority will be given to those with superior GCSE grades or predicted grades.
Applicants who pass the test will be invited for an interview in either Abbey Wood, Bristol or a venue in Plymouth. Again, where the number of successful applicants exceeds the required interview numbers, priority will be given to those with superior test results.
There may be a further recruitment selection activity but this will be confirmed later in the process. Following this, provisional job offers will be made to the top performers. Reference to all aspects of the selection process will be made in determining candidates overall performance. An ordered reserve list will also be created. Final job offers will be made after successful pre-employment checks, which will include medical and security checks.
Applying for both locations
You can apply for both locations, but you must make two separate applications. Depending on the numbers of applicants for each location, it is possible that a candidate could be shortlisted for one location but not the other. If a candidate is shortlisted for both locations, the selection test will only be taken once (normally at the location closest to the candidate’s current address).
Again, the number of applicants may mean that a candidate is invited for an interview in one location only. Where a candidate’s test score leads to a potential interview invite for both locations, only one interview will be carried out and if a provisional job offer is made, it will be for one location only. The tests and interviews are exactly the same in both locations.
Attending the assessment test and interview
The application process is totally online. Shortlisting will occur after each stage in the application as described above. All candidates book their own assessment dates and interviews on line. Due to the tight timescale of the recruitment process, we regret we are unable to offer any alternative dates outside of the published timetable. Please ensure you book early.
You will be required to provide original documentation plus copies at your assessment and / or interview. Further information will be sent to you as to what is required should you be successful at the initial shortlisting. For advanced notice, you will be required to produce ID and proof that you hold the minimum entry qualifications and original qualification certificates must be produced. Failure to do so will disqualify your application.
Please ensure you have the original certificates and copies available to bring along when requested. If you are basing your application on predicted grades, a letter from your school or college must be produced confirming these grades.
Core competencies
The MOD uses core competences to select people for jobs and for promotion. Competences are a means of bringing together the various components of effective performance – experience, knowledge, attributes, skills and behaviours.
They focus on outcomes and results to help us to describe what effective performance looks like. You will be asked to provide examples of some of these core competences at interview, but if you are selected for interview you will be given more information at that point.
If your application is successful
If your application is successful you will be notified within 10 working days of the closing date. Candidates will be able to view the Civil Service Jobs website whether they will be invited to the selection test or whether they have been unsuccessful.
Within 10 working days of the final selection test, candidates will be advised whether or not they have been shortlisted for interview. Within 10 working days of the final interview, candidates will be advised whether or not they will be either made a provisional job offer or included on a reserve list.
Due to the large volume of applications we receive, unfortunately detailed individual feedback is not possible during any stage of the application process.
Provisional job offers
The MOD needs to carry out extensive pre-employment checks which include comprehensive security vetting. The provisional offer means that these checks are still progressing, the speed of completion depends on individual circumstances.
Although it is rare for individuals to fail these checks, we are obviously unable to issue formal offers until all checks have been successfully completed. Failure to provide any additional information requested by the security vetting service will automatically lead to the job offer being withdrawn.
Starting the apprenticeship
The Abbey Wood apprenticeship normally commences in early September to coincide with the college year. The first week consists of apprentice induction activities at Abbey Wood, Bristol followed by full time studies at Bridgwater & Taunton college, Bath Road, Bridgwater.
The Devonport apprenticeship also normally commences in early September. The first week will be a mix of induction at HMNB Devonport and study days at Cornwall college, Sisna Park, Plymouth.
It is mandatory that all new apprentices are available to commence employment with us on the above dates as no later start date can be arranged.
Pay and transportation
Currently the pay rates are approximately £15,000 in year 1, £16,000 in year 2, and £19,000 in year 3.
Free daily return coach transport will be provided from Abbey Wood, Bristol to Bridgwater & Taunton College. It remains with the individual to pay any traveling costs involved if they choose not to use the allocated transport. No relocation expenses are available for new entrants.
Unfortunately we are unable to provide accommodation. However, if you contact the Student Union at the relevant college, they should be able to provide advice on where and how suitable accommodation may be obtained.
Holidays
You are entitled to 25 days annual leave, rising incrementally up to 30 days after 5 years service plus 9 days public/privilege holidays per year.
During your apprenticeship, you will be restricted as to when you can take annual leave as it has to fit in with your training plan. Your annual leave will therefore normally be fixed to coincide with college holidays during your first year and is dependent on your training programme for years two and three.
The first year dates will be confirmed to you during your Induction week. It is important to note that it is unlikely we will honour any pre-booked holidays you may have made beforehand should they fall within a normal college term time, so please bear this in mind when applying.