Outreach

On Thursday 8 February 2024, we attended a collaboration event with the UK National Authority for Counter-Eavesdropping (UK NACE) and His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre (HMGCC), hosted by Bletchley Park as part of its cyber learning programme

It was an exciting event that allowed students to learn about the history of Bletchley park as well as the different apprentice opportunities at FCDO Services, showing the creativity and innovation involved in national security work. They were also able to take part in some exciting activities throughout the day searching for eavesdropping devices, and some coding and encryption tasks.

“Today is exciting because it’s bringing together the organisations based at Hanslope Park to inspire 200 Year 11 students from across Milton Keynes. It’s crucial that they understand the opportunities that are available right here on their doorstep and also how exciting they are.”

Dr Anna Morrison CBE, founder of Amazing Apprenticeships

FCDO Services operates on a global scale, but we can only do this successfully if we reflect the diversity of the different countries we work in. Our ambition it is to create an inclusive culture that places respect and support for everyone at its core and empowers all our people to fulfil their potential while ensuring their wellbeing. We’re committed to achieving our ambitious goals, and aim to achieve them by focusing on inclusion, wellbeing, respect in the workplace and attracting and promoting the very best people.

Education. Experience. Excitement. Our early careers programmes are brimming with opportunity. From gaining further qualifications through our apprenticeships, to developing skills on our three-day work experience, kickstarting a fulfilling career with impact starts here. Find out more about our apprenticeships below.

There’s lots of personal and professional development to be gained on an apprenticeship programme with us. During National Apprenticeship Week, our current apprentices returned to their schools to deliver talks, and they attended several careers fairs to share what they’ve been up to since joining FCDO Services.

We also delivered our first ever online workshop, facilitated by Speakers for Schools. The 980 students who joined learnt about the importance and impact of cyber security at FCDO Services. Plus, two of our current cyber security apprentices, and a previous apprentice who’s now enjoying a career in cyber security with us, shared their journey and experience.

“The online Cyber Security Apprenticeship Workshop was brilliant. They had people from very different backgrounds talking through how they got into their roles, and it was truly inspiring.”

Amazing Apprenticeships is an organisation that works with schools, colleges and employers to tackle some of the common misconceptions about apprenticeships and technical education. We work with them to improve our outreach activities, and showcase and promote the benefits and diversity of our schemes.

We have just successfully completed our 2024 work experience, with two days online and one day onsite. Students got the opportunity to find out about the history of the park, meet with a huge variety of apprentices and take part in an electronic bug hunt challenge with UK NACE and CCTV Cabling Conundrum with our Engineering and Operations apprentices

In July 2023, we launched our first-ever work experience. Facilitated by Speaker for Schools, the three-day online placement was jam-packed full of insights and offered 14-19-year-olds the chance to discover a world few get to see.It was a behind-the-scenes look at our history, what we do across a range of teams, and an opportunity to learn about the variety of career pathways we offer.

But it wasn’t only about absorbing information; the students got hands on with interesting projects, working as part of a group to further develop their interpersonal, teamwork and problem-solving skills. And from engineers and architects to current and former apprentices, they got to network with a variety of colleagues who shared their journeys and invaluable career insights along the way.

“Thank you for a great experience. We had 100% retention across all three days which proves how engaging the programme is.”

Speakers for Schools

Keep an eye out on updates to this page and our Instagram page for our 2024 work experience programme.

Robotic dogs. Spaghetti towers. Flying drones. There was lots of fun to be had – and skills to be learnt – at our first collaboration STEM event with the UK National Authority for Counter-Eavesdropping (UK NACE) and His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre (HMGCC).

20 year 12 students from 13 different schools got to visit Hanslope Park for an introduction into what FCDO Services, UK NACE and HMGCC do and to learn all about the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) apprenticeships we offer. They also had great fun taking part in some various activities throughout the day learning how to crack code and beating a timed pinball maze.

“The event was a fantastic opportunity for our Year 12 students to understand what working at FCDO Services involves, and to understand the careers available in STEM.”

Radcliffe School

Keep an eye on Instagram and exciting interactive opportunities in 2025.

We hosted a virtual event packed full of information about who we are, what we do, and the apprenticeships we offer. We set out to give attendees the opportunity to discover what life’s like as an apprentice at FCDO Services, gain insight directly from our colleagues, and get top tips on completing your application from the Resourcing team.For our 2024 intake we will be doing the same, Whether you’re just starting our your career journey, looking to make a change in your career, or you’re a parent or career advisor, this event is for you!

Keep an eye out for further information on our LinkedIn page.

In 2024, we supported the MK Innovates STEM festival. Aimed at encouraging girls and young women to get into a career in science, technology, engineering or maths. Our team met with hundreds of school and college students, and used interactive activities to help them learn about the work we do. On the day we also delivered an inspiring talk. Diving into life at FCDO Services, attendees found out what about we do, our history and all kinds of variety of role on offer here.

We had loads of fun with Lottie during Tomorrow’s Engineers Week. Lottie spent a week with our engineers at both FCDO Services and UK NACE, learning all about the unique and impactful work we do here and overseas.

We’re dedicated to increasing diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). That’s why we are are incredibly proud to be signed up as a signatory of the Tomorrow’s Engineers Code, working to increase STEM and outreach activities that inspire more young people from a range on backgrounds to pursue a career in STEM.

A career in the armed forces offers variety, excitement and the chance to work globally – it’s the same at FCDO Services. Ex-military often find the operational and delivery focused approach we take is a perfect fit for them and appreciate the fact that the transition to our organisation is usually smooth and free from unnecessary delays.

In total, we attended 55 careers fairs and events, engaging with students, parents and teachers about the incredible early careers opportunities we offer at FCDO Services.

“FCDO Services delivered an assembly at my sixth form explaining who FCDO Services were and what they had to offer. There were many great apprentices available with opportunities to gain qualifications from level 2-6, as well as travel potential and competitive starting salaries. This assembly inspired me to apply, and I’m loving my new apprenticeship.”

Current apprentice

Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram to stay up to date with any of our events.

For more information, get in touch at: outreach@fcdoservices.gov.uk