Average read time: 8 mins
Applications open: January 2025
What is the DE&S Finance Apprenticeship?
As a DE&S Finance Apprentice, you’ll work with teams that ensure the equipment purchased is fit for purpose and achieves the best possible value for money. You’ll rotate through several placements and get hands-on experience with forecasting, financial analysis, developing costing for businesses cases plus more much. Alongside this you’ll also work towards Level Three and Four of the Association of Accounting Technician (AAT) qualifications, and may even have opportunities to supporting the MOD’s vast estate and front-line commands.
What you’ll get
£22,560
Starting salary
How long for
3
Years
Where you’ll be
Bristol
MOD Abbey Wood
What you’ll need
To apply for this scheme you’ll need:
- Five full GCSEs at A*-C or grades 4-9 (or equivalent) to include Maths (minimum grade B or 5-6) and English Language
Additionally, you’ll need to have a high level of finance/numeracy competence. It’s beneficial for your CV to demonstrate you have relevant experience and finance skills. We are seeking individuals who:
- Enjoy solving complex problems and can deliver clear and effective solutions
- Are keen on embracing change
- Are willing to share information, knowledge and skills
- Have a strong focus on internal and external customers
- Have a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
- Are keen to seek out new opportunities for learning, personal and career development
- Are prepared to commit to a three-year training programme
- Are pro-active and willing to take responsibility for their own development and career progression
What you’ll do
Year one
At the start of this three-year development programme, you’ll start your Level three AAT qualification & Level Three Apprenticeship. You’ll also begin your first placement and start to learn about a variety of key finance skills including:
- Forecasting the future budget
- Reviewing and creating accruals
- Providing financial analysis to support decision making
- Developing costing for business cases
- Tracking costs to contracts
- Using Financial Systems
Throughout your first year, you’ll have regular reviews to ensure you’re on track to succeed. They’ll also be plenty of opportunity for you to get involved in networking and volunteering events with your peers, helping you to build a strong network at the start of your career.
You’ll start your second placement, building upon the financial and accounting skills you’ve gain in your first year. Alongside this, you’ll complete your Level 3 AAT & Level Three Apprenticeship end point assessment and begin to start your Level Four AAT qualification. You’ll continue to have regular reviews to ensure you’re on track to succeed.
In your third and final year, you’ll complete your last 12-month placement enabling you to really apply all the skills you’ve learnt along the way. You’ll continue to have regular reviews as you finish your Level Four AAT qualification and Level Four Apprenticeship end point assessment. By this point you will have built up a large network of people across the business and will continue to have opportunities to take part in events, helping to inspire the next generation of finance professionals.
Once you’ve successfully completed your apprenticeship, you’ll be eligible for a re-grade interview and could be offered permanent employment.
What our learners say about working for DE&S
“I really enjoy the networking, not only with my cohort but other people in the organisation. There is lots of support around and I have had the opportunity to work on some exciting projects.”
Charlotte, Engineering Apprentice
Developing tomorrow’s talent, today.
Course frequently asked questions
Yes. Should you require support with the application process you can contact our Entry Talent team at deshr-etcoe-recruitment@mod.gov.uk
DE&S is currently operating a Smarter Working Policy, where hybrid working may be available depending on your placement/project.
However, we cannot specifically advise in advance of you joining the organisation. It could mean being situated in office three times a week, or twice a month. We strongly encourage face-to-face collaboration to network with your peers and gain further experience.
You will be able to discuss your daily working hours with your Delivery Manager on starting.
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer a place to those who do not meet the entry requirements for the scheme.
Please contact our Entry Talent team at deshr-etcoe-recruitment@mod.gov.uk
