Are you looking to launch your career as an NCA officer? From apprenticeships to internships and student placements, there are plenty of entry-level opportunities to join our team.
Civil Service Apprenticeships at the NCA
Apprentices on the Civil Service Fast Track Apprentices scheme can choose to do a placement at the NCA as part of the course.
Fast Track offers a two-year Level 4 apprenticeship in one of several areas:
- Business
- Digital and technology
- Project delivery
- Finance
- Commercial study
Successful apprentices can apply, without a degree, for the Civil Service Fast Stream (see below).
Internships and student placements
We offer a number of internships and student placements, all of which are paid.
Not only do internships offer valuable insight and experience of our work, but a high proportion of people who join us as interns are subsequently offered full time positions as NCA officers.
- Civil Service Fast Stream Summer Diversity Internship: We host two interns as part of this nine-week placement offered by Civil Service Talent. The internship provides challenging development opportunities in business and personal skills.
- Police Now: Graduates spend 2 years on the policing frontline as neighbourhood police officers. We offer three-week internships for Police Now officers commencing in April each year. As an intern you will complete a range of bespoke placements across the NCA and find out more about our operations.
- Major Crime Investigative Support: (Wyboston): Our Major Crime Investigative Support Unit provides specialist expertise to police forces dealing with complex crimes such as serial sexual offences and no body murder. Third-year university students can complete a one-year work placement as part of their degree course.
- The National Cyber Crime Unit: Recent graduates or second-year students can do a 12-week paid summer internship (starting in June). You will be immersed in a working cyber crime unit and work with cutting edge technology. You will have your own mentor and have your own projects as well as day-to-day team tasks. In the past as many as 70% of our interns have been offered full-time positions as NCA officers.
“The internship appealed as a way of getting some useful experience and the work looked really cool. I never really thought about law enforcement before but I really like what I’m doing. The atmosphere here is very friendly and the people very genuine.” Juliette, 2017 National Cyber Crime Unit intern
Apply for an open vacancy
Many of our junior roles (G6) in business support or other enabling functions require only limited previous experience and for some, our recruitment campaign will focus on an apprenticeship.
These roles provide valuable experience and can prove the launchpad for your career as an NCA officer. We're committed to career development and many officers who join in junior support roles subsequently move into investigations, intelligence or other roles.
We hope that joining the agency is just the start of a long and successful career with us.
Please see our vacancies page for details of all current opportunities.