Forget Bond, today’s spies need to be the children of plumbers ( )
JAMES BOND may have known how to mix the perfect vodka martini, but today’s spy chiefs are more interested in recruits who know how to unblock a U-bend.
A new diversity drive at MI5 hopes to recruit interns from a wider social background.
Called the Summer Diversity Intelligence Internship, it is aimed at black and ethnic minority recruits. Candidates must also come from working class backgrounds.
Bosses are on the look-out for the offspring of motor mechanics, fitters, plumbers, printers, tool makers, electricians, gardeners and train drivers to go on the scheme.
MI5 is also considering the sons and daughters of postal workers, machine operatives, security guards, caretakers, farm workers, caterers and carpenters (see inset).
Children of HGV drivers, van drivers, cleaners, porters, packers, sewing machinists, messengers, labourers, along with waiters and waitresses and bar staff also fit the bill.
Those whose parents are unemployed can apply, but only if their mother or father has been on the look-out for work. The scheme gets underway in June of next year.
Mentors, managers and “buddies” will be on hand to help those who make it to the 11-week scheme to tackle and investigate international terrorism.
The advert for interns says candidates must be problem solvers full of enthusiasm, with a sense of team spirit and a passion for learning, who are determined to make a positive impact.
Honesty and integrity along with discretion is also key to winning a place on the course.
Only British-born people or naturalised British citizens to apply.
Andrew Parker, director general of MI5, has previously said: “Keeping the country safe is a challenge that requires the best efforts of the richest mix of the most talented people in our society, working together performing teams.
“So it is essential to our success that ours is an inclusive workplace offering varied, rewarding and challenging careers for all.”
People are warned they must not discuss their applicahome in high tion for the £24, 717 per annum post (which works out as almost £5,000 over the 11-week programme) with anyone other than their partner or a close family member. Earlier this year MI6, the of James Bond, was named among the top 75 UK employers who have worked hardest to promote social mobility. A charity, the Social Mobility Foundation, ranked the intelligence service at number 73, putting it ahead of companies such as Barclays.
David Johnston OBE, chief executive of the SMF, said: “They are very aware of the stereotype – that you go to Eton, Oxford and then you become James Bond.
“They also realise that there’s an awful lot of talent in the country that would not even consider working for them or think that they would be suitable candidates.”
MI6, also known as the Secret Intelligence Service, found itself bombarded with interest from working class applicants in the wake of publicity surrounding the Salisbury poison attack on former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.
Like MI5 it is currently in the middle of a recruitment drive, looking to appoint 800 new staff over two years.