Public services apprenticeships let you work for the country while you train. They range from office jobs in government departments to trades in the armed forces.
Who we’ve researched
- The Civil Service runs Career Launch, a two-year Level 3 apprenticeship in Birmingham, London and Manchester, plus apprenticeships in individual departments.
- HMRC offers apprenticeships from Level 3 to Level 7 in finance, policy, digital, legal and more.
- The British Army has more than 13,000 apprentices on over 39 schemes, built into soldiers’ training.
Things to know
- Low entry barriers. Career Launch asks for two GCSEs, and the Army helps you gain English and maths if you need them.
- Security checks. Government and defence roles involve vetting before you start.
- Funded degrees. HMRC says its degree apprenticeships are funded, so you can get a degree without student debt.
Types of work and careers
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Government administration
Keeping government departments running, from business administration to operational delivery.
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Policy and finance
Helping develop government policy and managing public money.
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Digital and data
Building and running the technology and data behind public services.
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Armed forces trades
Engineering, logistics, medical and intelligence roles in the Army.
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Counter fraud and legal
Tackling fraud and supporting legal work, for example at HMRC.
Compare Public services apprenticeships
A quick side-by-side of what each employer publishes. Pick a level to see what each employer offers at that level, and open a profile for the full details and sources.
All employers
| Employer | Levels | Length | Pay | Entry requirements | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Army | 12–36 months (Levels 2–3) | A full soldier's salary | No entry requirements for most; English and maths gained during training | Army bases and training establishments | |
| Civil Service | 2 years (Career Launch) | Not published | 2 GCSEs at grades 9–4 (Career Launch) | Birmingham, London and Manchester (Career Launch) | |
| HMRC | Not published | Not published | Not published | HMRC offices across the UK |
Intermediate apprenticeships (Level 2)
| Employer | Programmes at this level | Length | Pay | Entry requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Army | 1 programme Intermediate apprenticeships | 12–18 months | Not published | No entry requirements for most; English and maths gained during training |
| Civil Service | 1 programme Department and profession apprenticeships | Not published | Not published | 2 GCSEs at grades 9–4 (Career Launch) |
Advanced apprenticeships (Level 3)
| Employer | Programmes at this level | Length | Pay | Entry requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Army | 1 programme Advanced apprenticeships | 18–36 months | Not published | No entry requirements for most; English and maths gained during training |
| Civil Service | 2 programmes Career Launch apprenticeship; Department and profession apprenticeships | 2 years | Not published | 2 GCSEs at grades 9–4 (Career Launch) |
| HMRC | 1 programme Level 3 apprenticeships | Not published | Not published | Not published |
Higher apprenticeships (Levels 4–5)
| Employer | Programmes at this level | Length | Pay | Entry requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Army | 1 programme Higher apprenticeships | Not published | Not published | No entry requirements for most; English and maths gained during training |
| Civil Service | 1 programme Department and profession apprenticeships | Not published | Not published | 2 GCSEs at grades 9–4 (Career Launch) |
| HMRC | 1 programme Level 4 and 5 apprenticeships | Not published | Not published | Not published |
Degree apprenticeships (Levels 6–7)
| Employer | Programmes at this level | Length | Pay | Entry requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Service | 1 programme Department and profession apprenticeships | Not published | Not published | 2 GCSEs at grades 9–4 (Career Launch) |
| HMRC | 1 programme Level 6 and 7 apprenticeships | Not published | Not published | Not published |
Key figures
- Minimum for the Civil Service Career Launch apprenticeship
- 2 GCSEs
- Source: Civil Service Careers (opens in a new tab)
Summary
- Public services apprenticeships include government departments, HMRC and the British Army.
- Entry requirements can be low: Career Launch asks for two GCSEs, and the Army helps you gain English and maths.
- Expect security checks, especially in government and defence.
- Many public sector degree apprenticeships are fully funded, so there's no student debt.
Employers we profile in this industry
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British Army
The UK's land forces, and one of the biggest apprenticeship providers in the country. Over 13,000 soldiers are on more than 39 apprenticeship schemes from Level 2 to Level 4, paid a full soldier's salary.
Industry: Public services -
Civil Service
The UK government's civil service, where thousands start an apprenticeship every year. Its Career Launch apprenticeship is a two-year Level 3 programme in Birmingham, London and Manchester, open from 16 with two GCSEs.
Industry: Public services -
HMRC
HM Revenue and Customs, the UK's tax authority. It recruits apprentices every year from Level 3 to Level 7 in finance, policy, digital, project delivery, legal and more, and ranked 23rd in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2026.
Industry: Public services, Finance and professional services
Sources and review
Last reviewed . Details can change after this date, so check the official source before you rely on them.