A family-friendly, flexible approach to protecting the nation

USPA NEWS -
GCHQ´s Future Leaders Programme ““ a family-friendly, flexible approach to protecting the nation. GCHQ, one of the three UK intelligence and security agencies, has launched a programme to identify, train and develop tomorrow´s leaders.

Based at GCHQ´s iconic Cheltenham headquarters, the five-year Future Leaders training programme provides a truly unique opportunity. Future leaders on the programme will enjoy the flexibility to develop a work pattern that suits their personal lives. GCHQ offers a range of family-friendly policies such as childcare vouchers and a healthy work/life balance supported by genuinely flexible working hours. The Cheltenham headquarters ““ nicknamed the Doughnut ““ includes an on-site gym, deli bar, restaurant and coffee shops. It´s a collaborative and inclusive work environment where people´s ideas and opinions are listened to and acted upon.

The programme offers people the opportunity to test their skills and learn new ones on real-life assignments in different areas of GCHQ. They will be supported with high quality training and access to an experienced mentor throughout the programme. It promises to be challenging and intensive ““ as potential leaders they could be liaising with Whitehall officials, talking to industry experts and then mentoring junior trainees all in one day.

GCHQ helps to protect the UK from cyber attacks, serious criminals and terrorists, but the programme isn´t just for people with a technological background. As future leaders, their ability to get on with others and communicate well, together with a natural appetite for learning new skills, is just as important. To qualify for the Future Leaders Programme, applicants will need at least a 2:2 honours degree in any subject or a post-graduate certificate in a management or business subject. They should be keen to contribute to the UK´s security and prosperity and will ideally have an interest in political, technological or security issues. Most of all, they will be natural leaders ““ people who stand out from the crowd.