British Army - HM Forces Serviceperson (Protective Services) - Full Time Career with Apprenticeship

Highly skilled. Extremely fit. Always ready for the next challenge. The British Army’s Infantry Soldiers are respected throughout the world. From disaster relief to protecting the nation, nothing compares to the fast-changing life of the Infantry. You’ll be at the heart of the action, working to keep vulnerable communities safe and prevent conflict, doing something that really matters. Whatever you’re doing or where you are in the world, you’ll work and train alongside other highly skilled close-combat professionals. They’re there to help you through whatever life throws at you, on operations, on exercise or on the sports field –⁠ it’s belonging like nothing else and they’ll become friends for life. With the chance to gain qualifications, you will learn and move up the ranks too.

This occupation is found in the public sector only and specifically within HM Forces. The HM Forces is a large employer. The role is utilised by the ground troops of all three services, who could find their workplace to be UK based or on foreign soil, dependent on HM Government direction.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide defence to the United Kingdom, incorporating peace keeping duties such as United Nations Peacekeeping in Cyprus, support/assistance to civilian tasks, for example building Nightingale Hospitals during the COVID epidemic, disaster relief such as helping to shore up river banks during major flooding within the UK, and working abroad as directed by HM Government. The HM Forces Serviceperson will be part of the first response ground troops from the Army. They will work individually and as a team, potentially at all hours, in all weathers and across all terrains, as is required to fulfil the requirements of the specified organisational objectives.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation typically interacts with colleagues and their line management chain from the Army. The HM Forces Serviceperson could be assigned to work within the wider HM Forces environment and may be required to take direction from line management of an alternative service or take direction from other nations or other government departments. This is dependent on the HM Forces Serviceperson's duties, tasks and locations.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for ensuring that all they have been taught is applied, enabling instinctive actions and reactions in appropriate controlled and measured ways. For HM Forces Servicepersons, preparation is vital. They will carry out theoretical and practical training, which will include, but not exclusively, communication methods, enhanced first aid, safe weapons handling processes and navigation methods along with testing and maintenance of equipment to ensure operational preparedness. They are responsible for consistently working in a professional manner, both individually and as a team, continually honing the requisite skills in readiness for any eventuality they may be required to fulfil. They will become embedded into a professional culture and ethos where individuals understand / are aware of how their role supports both the team and aligns to the wider organisational taskings and priorities.

Training:

Step 1 - You start with a Combat Infantry Course (28 weeks) at The Infantry Training Centre Catterick. Here, you do your Basic Training and then your Infantry Initial Trade Training. Your instructors will coach you through progressive training where you will learn essential skills such as firing weapons, survival, first aid and map reading while building stamina and fitness.

If you’re aged under 17 years and 6 months, you’ll do your Basic Training at the Army Foundation College Harrogate for 49 weeks. You’ll then go to Catterick to complete your Infantry Initial Trade Training over 10 weeks.

Step 2 - On completion of your Initial Trade Training, you will move to your chosen Infantry Battalion. Battalions routinely conduct training in the UK, Europe, Kenya and Belize. More concentrated periods of mission-specific training prepare battalions for operations abroad.

Qualifications you could get after training:

Vocational Driving Licences HM Forces Serviceperson (Protective Services) Apprenticeship Leadership and Management qualifications to degree level Assessor qualifications Coaching and mentoring Adventure Training Qualifications (Canoeing, Mountain Biking, Skiing, Mountain Climbing, Summer Mountain Training).

Training Outcome:

The apprenticeship is a gateway to a full-time career in the British Army. Promotion, along with increased salary and responsibility is dependent on successful completion of the apprenticeship and then on merit by competitive selection. As you advance through the ranks, you will have the increased opportunity to lead and direct people, managing resources and workforce within your area of work to deliver the required outputs whilst maintaining and instilling the highest values and standards expected of the British Army. You belong here.

Employer Description:
Protecting the nation and its dependent territories will always be the British Army's first role. Highly trained soldiers are ready to deploy anywhere at any time to meet a variety of challenges, ranging from support to the Police following a terrorist attack, to specialist capabilities such as bomb disposal and intelligence experts, 24 hours a day 365 days a year, we are always ready to serve. You belong here.

Working Hours :
Shift and working patterns may vary. Working locations will vary nationally depending on the apprenticeship and working requirements. Days and times to be confirmed.

Skills:
Communication skills,Attention to detail,Organisation skills,Problem solving skills,Team working,Initiative,Physical fitness