Security cleared jobs news roundup: November 2024
Keep up-to-date with some of the biggest stories in the world of security cleared jobs in our monthly roundup.
We’re rounding up some of the biggest security cleared stories of the past few weeks. In November, the new Royal Army Medical Service was launched, work on the construction of HMS Sheffield began in Glasgow, the first uncrewed boat sailed in UK waters and Strategic Command met the cyber workforce of the future.
New Royal Army Medical Service launches
The new Royal Army Medical Service (RAMS) has been launched in a bid to modernise the health facilities used by soldiers. Combining the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), the Royal Army Dental Corps (RADC) and the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC) into one core is designed to streamline medical care.
During a parade to mark the occasion, the flags of the three former siloed corps were taken down and replaced with a singular Royal Army Medical Services flag. The new banner features three colours taken from the previous corps - dull cherry from the RAMC, Athol grey from the QARANC and Victoria green from the RADC.
Master General Army Medical Services Major General Hodgetts: “At the heart of this institutional modernisation will be culture and behaviour change to develop a single, agile workforce, appropriately educated to operate, fight, and adapt in uncertainty that will deliver leading-edge developments in treatment and care.”
Construction of HMS Sheffield begins
A traditional steel-cutting ceremony in Glasgow has marked the beginning of construction on one of the most advanced warships in the world. HMS Sheffield is the fifth of eight Type 26 frigates being built in Scotland, supporting nearly 2,000 jobs and apprenticeships, with a further 4,000 supply chain jobs also positively impacted.
The Type 26 frigates will replace the current Type 23s looking after national security, with their primary role being to protect the Royal Navy’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent and Carrier Strike Group. They will also be involved in international operations, such as counter-piracy missions and humanitarian relief work.
Sir Simon Lister, managing director of BAE Systems, Naval Ships, said: “This is a proud moment for our talented teams across the UK who play their part in the design and construction of these important vessels. HMS Sheffield’s construction will benefit from a range of investments, which are transforming our digital and physical infrastructure and will consolidate a centre of excellence for UK shipbuilding in Glasgow.”
Crewless boat sails in UK waters
The first uncrewed boat to be sailed in UK waters has been driven around the Solent, as it was controlled by a Royal Navy vessel nearby. The Pacific 24 rigid-inflatable boat (rib), which is used by the Navy for rescues, intercepting drug runners and moving sailors from ship to shore, was remotely piloted from experimentation ship XV Patrick Blackett off the coast of Portsmouth.
Testing the vessel’s systems and software in a range of operational scenarios over the course of a week included rough seas and snowy conditions. Onboard cameras and sensors enabled the robot rib to feed live camera footage back to control units and computers on XV Patrick Blackett to be analysed.
A spokesperson for the Royal Navy said: “While the APAC – Autonomous PACific – has been tested at sea abroad, this was the first time it’s been done in home waters and through the busy waterways of Portsmouth Harbour, successfully navigating around ferries, other Royal Navy vessels and private boats.”
Strategic Command meets the cyber workforce of the future
General Jim Hockenhull, commander of Strategic Command, has visited Blackpool and The Fylde College to meet students taking digital, cyber, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses. The college is a partner in delivering a bursary for the 16 to 18-year-olds who represent the future of the cyber workforce.
The students showcased their skills and discussed cyber and digital careers in national security with representatives from Strategic Command and the National Cyber Force during the visit. It’s hoped they will go on to be capable of defending the UK’s vital networks and to counter threats once they enter the workforce.
General Hockenhull said: “The greatest challenge we face is the battle for talent, particularly in digital and cyber professions. Having met many students eager to bring their skills to careers in national security, I am optimistic about our future workforce. They will be expert and committed, ready to tackle national threats and contribute to our prosperity.”
Image copyright: UK MOD © Crown copyright
