Cyber Practitioner Development Programme

Job description

Location: Samlesbury, with college-based elements in Lancashire.
Salary: £27,161 (includes £2,658 concessionary payment). There is potential for promotion at the end of the 18 month training period which will increase the salary to £36,408 (includes £2,658 concessionary payment). Additional skills payments are also possible after the initial 18 months’ training. These payments start at £4,513 and are subject to periodic review and renewal.
Flexible working: Full-time attendance required for the first 18 months, after which opportunities for part-time, job sharing, compressed hours and other flexible working patterns would be considered.

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.

Some of our roles are based in the National Cyber Force (NCF). This is a partnership between Defence and Intelligence. The NCF operates in and through cyberspace to counter, disrupt, degrade and contest those who would do harm to the UK and our Allies.

This is an 18-month development programme that combines dedicated classroom learning with on-the-job experience at our Samlesbury location, which leads to a role within the organisation. You’ll complete mandatory training modules (plus one of your choice) at a Lancashire academic institute, delivered in four-week blocks. This will include lectures, seminars and self-study, plus supervised lab sessions, real‑world simulations and group projects.

With our support and your drive to learn, you’ll develop the skills required to support our cyber teams and gain practical experience that prepares you for a fascinating, impactful career with GCHQ.

When you’re not studying, you’ll immerse yourself in our friendly, collaborative work environment as you complete rotations across our different technical teams before you move into a dedicated team after 18 months. You’ll be surrounded by colleagues keen to share their knowledge and hear your contributions as you apply what you’ve learned to real projects.

You might be exploring our specialist tools and technologies, including Docker, cloud services, mobile applications and programming languages such as Type Script, Python, React and Go. Or, you’ll be developing existing and future infrastructure solutions, undertaking security and vulnerability research, or conducting Computer Network Operations. In short, your work will be varied and have real operational impact; from disrupting an adversary’s ability to communicate with their contacts to preventing the internet from being used as a platform for crime, you’ll help develop pioneering end-to-end solutions that support our mission.

Training for the Cyber Practitioner Development Programme begins in January 2027.

You’ll need to have an interest in technology although you don’t need a technical background or any previous experience working in tech or cyber to apply, as we’ll teach you everything you need to know.

You’ll need GCSE Maths and English Language at Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent). However, if you don’t, please don’t deselect yourself as we’ll still consider applications from those with higher qualifications (e.g. A Levels or a degree), provided you can demonstrate equivalent Maths and English skills as part of your studies.

You will also have a basic or working knowledge of Linux or Windows operating systems.

You might’ve had exposure to end-to-end products in a previous role or simply indulged your passion for IT in your spare time. It doesn’t matter what stage of your career you’re at, the important thing is that you’re curious, committed and motivated to develop new skills and knowledge. Organised and able to prioritise tasks, you’ll adapt to changing environments as you’ll be completing multiple rotations and different learning modules across 18 months.

You’l…