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If you’re looking for a graduate role where your work really matters, you’re in the right place.
Our Defence graduate programmes offer the chance to start a meaningful career while supporting services that help keep the UK safe, resilient and ready for the future.
From day one, you’ll be trusted with real responsibility and supported through structured development, coaching and mentoring. You’ll work alongside experienced colleagues on live projects, complex operations and transformation programmes that support the Armed Forces and communities across the UK.
These are hands on, fast learning roles designed to help you build real capability, confidence and career momentum — while contributing to one of our most important sectors.
From day one, you’ll be trusted with real responsibility and supported through structured development, coaching and mentoring. You’ll work alongside experienced colleagues on live projects, complex operations and transformation programmes that support the Armed Forces and communities across the UK.
These are hands on, fast learning roles designed to help you build real capability, confidence and career momentum — while contributing to one of our most important sectors.
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Why start your career in Defence?
Defence is about more than contracts and capability. It’s about trust, care and long term impact. Our work supports the Armed Forces, strengthens national resilience and helps communities thrive — and as a graduate, you’ll play a part in that from the very beginning.
As someone at the start of your career, you won’t just observe how things work. You’ll be involved, supported and trusted to contribute as you learn.
You’ll benefit from:
As someone at the start of your career, you won’t just observe how things work. You’ll be involved, supported and trusted to contribute as you learn.
You’ll benefit from:
- Real world experience on high profile Defence programmes
- Clear development pathways and funded professional qualifications
- Supportive teams who want to see you succeed
- Headroom to grow and shape your future career
A sense of mutual respect and mindfulness permeates our culture-in fact, it’s the key to our success.
Based at MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol, with travel across the contract, this role places you at the heart of a major Defence transformation programme.
You’ll support mobilisation and Project Management Office (PMO) activity across a complex, fast paced environment, gaining hands on experience in governance, planning, reporting and stakeholder engagement.
It’s a great fit if you enjoy organising information, working with different teams and helping large programmes succeed from day one.
You’ll support mobilisation and Project Management Office (PMO) activity across a complex, fast paced environment, gaining hands on experience in governance, planning, reporting and stakeholder engagement.
It’s a great fit if you enjoy organising information, working with different teams and helping large programmes succeed from day one.
Based at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham, Wiltshire, this role gives you exposure to the operational delivery of world class Defence, security and resilience education.
You’ll work across a wide range of functions — from estates and logistics to people, finance and governance — building a strong foundation in Defence operations while developing the skills needed to lead over time.
This programme is ideal if you’re curious about how organisations run, enjoy working with people and want to develop into a future operational leader.
You’ll work across a wide range of functions — from estates and logistics to people, finance and governance — building a strong foundation in Defence operations while developing the skills needed to lead over time.
This programme is ideal if you’re curious about how organisations run, enjoy working with people and want to develop into a future operational leader.
This hybrid, mostly home based role, with travel across the UK, focuses on delivering transformation and project activity across Defence engineering and asset management portfolios.
You’ll support projects that improve capability, resilience and performance — from aviation and maritime environments to critical national infrastructure.
This programme suits graduates who enjoy problem solving, change and continuous improvement, and who want to develop into future project or transformation professionals.
You’ll support projects that improve capability, resilience and performance — from aviation and maritime environments to critical national infrastructure.
This programme suits graduates who enjoy problem solving, change and continuous improvement, and who want to develop into future project or transformation professionals.
Our Defence graduate programmes are now open for applications, ready for a September 2026 start. Each programme offers a two-year fixed term contract, a competitive salary and excellent benefits — with strong progression opportunities beyond the programme.
Hit the button to apply now, or read on and learn more below.
Hit the button to apply now, or read on and learn more below.
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Discover all you need to keep growing
Across our Defence graduate programmes, you’ll build a strong foundation of knowledge by working on real projects and operations from day one. You’ll gain hands on experience that helps you understand how Defence services are delivered and where your strengths are best applied.
What makes these programmes different is the opportunity to gain experience before choosing where to specialise. As you develop your capability and confidence, you’ll be able to identify the areas you most enjoy and where you’re best placed to grow as a leader. From there, you’ll be supported to undertake funded further qualifications aligned to your chosen leadership pathway.
These programmes act as a springboard into leadership careers across our Defence business and the wider organisation. Many graduates go on to secure permanent roles, progressing into leadership positions built on strong foundations, informed choices and real world experience.
What makes these programmes different is the opportunity to gain experience before choosing where to specialise. As you develop your capability and confidence, you’ll be able to identify the areas you most enjoy and where you’re best placed to grow as a leader. From there, you’ll be supported to undertake funded further qualifications aligned to your chosen leadership pathway.
These programmes act as a springboard into leadership careers across our Defence business and the wider organisation. Many graduates go on to secure permanent roles, progressing into leadership positions built on strong foundations, informed choices and real world experience.
A sense of mutual respect and mindfulness permeates our culture-in fact, it’s the key to our success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Joining our team as a Control Centre Operative, you'll support with planning, coordination and logistics. You'll have great organisational and communication skills, and if you have a background in logistics that's a bonus!
Our Defence graduate programmes are structured early career roles designed to help you build a strong foundation of knowledge while working on real Defence projects, operations and services. You’ll gain hands on experience, supported by development, coaching and mentoring, while learning how Defence services are delivered in practice.
Not straight away — but they are designed to prepare you for leadership over time. You’ll start by building capability, understanding how the business works and developing core professional skills and knowledge. As you progress, you’ll begin developing the leadership skills needed to take on greater responsibility in the future.
What sets our Defence graduate programmes apart is the opportunity to gain real experience before choosing where to specialise. Rather than locking you into a narrow pathway from the outset, the programmes are designed to help you build breadth, understand your strengths and discover what you enjoy — before selecting funded further qualifications aligned to your future career direction.
You’ll be embedded in a specific role, but your work will give you exposure to different teams, functions and stakeholders across the Defence business. This helps you build a broader understanding of how our contracts and services operate, without constant formal rotations.
You’ll receive structured development, on the job learning, coaching and mentoring throughout the programme. Once you’ve built experience and clarity around your interests, you’ll be supported to undertake funded further qualifications aligned to your chosen pathway — such as leadership, project delivery, transformation or operations.
No. We’re looking for graduates with curiosity, motivation and the potential to grow — not prior Defence experience. You’ll be supported to learn the sector, the environment and the role as part of the programme.
Yes. Our Defence graduate programmes are open to graduates from a wide range of degree disciplines. What matters most is your mindset, your willingness to learn and your interest in building a meaningful career in Defence.
These programmes are designed as a springboard into longer term careers. Many graduates go on to secure permanent roles across our Defence business or the wider organisation, progressing into positions with greater responsibility as their experience and capability grow.
We'll help you prepare to apply for permanent opportunities as you approach the end of the programme.
We'll help you prepare to apply for permanent opportunities as you approach the end of the programme.
Locations vary by programme and role, with some opportunities based on site and others offering hybrid or home based working with travel. Full location details are included within each programme description.
Ready to make a difference? Apply now to join our dedicated control centre team.
What we offer
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A place you can make an impact
Your work has purpose. You’ll contribute to Defence services that support the Armed Forces, strengthen national resilience and create positive impact on communities across the UK. The work you do matters — and so does the contribution you bring to it.
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A place you can count on
You’ll join welcoming teams who value fresh thinking, curiosity and collaboration. With coaching, mentoring and funded development pathways, you’ll be supported to grow and develop — building a career that reflects your strengths and ambitions.
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A place for you
You’ll be part of an organisation where inclusion truly matters. We’re committed to creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed, supported and able to shape their own path — with teams that value different perspectives, experiences and ways of thinking, and where you can belong, contribute and grow.
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Ready to make your impact?
Be you, with us
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For Billy Bennett, Deputy Head of Facilities Management (FM) at Serco-run prison HMP Fosse Way, balancing a demanding career in prison maintenance with a passion for football is just part of his daily routine.
F-35B Lightning Jet, UK MOD © Crown Copyright 2024
LCpl Isaac Reeson, UK MOD © Crown Copyright 2024