About Mercury Training Services Ltd
Mercury Training Services Ltd is England's largest and most successful specialist security apprenticeship provider, with over 21 years of operational excellence. We deliver apprenticeship programmes to approximately 250 employer clients, including major government departments, critical national infrastructure sites, NHS Trusts, sea ports and airports, universities, and high-end commercial environments.
Our expertise spans the full security profession; Mercury is a trusted partner to the Security Skills Board and has been directly involved in co-authoring apprenticeship standards at Trailblazer level.
The Role: Skills Coach — Protective Security
We are seeking an exceptional Skills Coach to join the Mercury team, with responsibility for delivering our protective security programmes. This is a specialist role requiring credible, senior-level experience in protective security, counter terrorism, policing, or closely related disciplines.
Our training and apprenticeships develop security professionals to an advanced level, encompassing threat and risk assessment, protective security planning, hostile surveillance recognition, physical security, and counter terrorism preparedness. You will bring this expertise to life for apprentices working in high-profile and critical environments across the UK.
Who We Are Looking For
This role will particularly suit candidates from the following backgrounds:
Former police officers, ideally with Counter Terrorism, Intelligence, or Specialist Operations experienceSenior security professionals with experience advising on protective security at a strategic or operational levelFormer military personnel with relevant intelligence, force protection, or security advisory rolesGovernment security advisers or those with experience in NPSA-aligned protective security frameworks
A Typical Day in the Life of a Skills Coach
Your caseload will consist of apprentices and learners employed in high-security, critical infrastructure, and complex operational environments. Day-to-day activity will include:
Delivering structured, cohort and one-to-one coaching and assessment sessions with apprentices, primarily online with regular on-site visitsFacilitating learning across all protective security standard knowledge, skills, and behaviours including threat assessment, hostile surveillance, counter terrorism awareness, access control strategy, and protective security planningPreparing apprentices for successful AssessmentMaintaining accurate and detailed progress records, completing reviews and reports to agreed Mercury quality standardsLiaising with employer contacts and line managers to support apprentice progress and address any barriers to learningContributing to curriculum development and the continuous improvement of Mercury's protective security delivery model
Workload and Flexibility
Mercury maintains a deliberately lower apprentice-to-coach ratio than the sector norm. This is a core part of our quality commitment we want our coaches to have the time and space to deliver exceptional support, not just process learners through a pipeline.
Given the 24/7 operational nature of the security industry, some flexibility across shift patterns may be required to accommodate employer and apprentice needs. In return, you will benefit from a high degree of autonomy in managing your own schedule, with strong management and peer support throughout.
Must-Have Qualifications and Experience
Minimum Level 5 qualification in Security Management, Protective Security, or a closely related discipline (e.g. Level 5 Award in Security Management, CPP, or equivalent)Demonstrable experience in protective security advisory, counter terrorism, policing (ideally specialist), or senior security management rolesMinimum 5 years' experience at a management level within security, policing, or related public safety disciplinesMinimum Level 3 teaching, training, or assessing qualification (e.g. Award in Education and Training, PTLLS, CAVA, A1/D32/33) or a commitment to obtain this qualification within an agreed timeframeFull UK driving licence and access to own vehicle (mileage reimbursed at £0.45 per mile)Ability to travel across the UK to support apprentices on-site
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Experience delivering training, coaching, or mentoring in a professional context
What Mercury Offers
Very competitive salary with regular structured reviews34 days paid leave per annum (26 days plus 8 bank holidays)Annual Christmas and New Year shutdown — guaranteed time with family and friendsFull home office setup: laptop, mobile phone, desk, chair, dual monitors, and peripheralsCompany pension schemeLife insurance24/7 online GP and health service access for you and your familyStaff perks, benefits package, and fully funded team eventsTravel expenses at £0.45 per mile; trains, hotels, and meals fully funded by MercuryFunded progression to higher-level teaching, assessing, and verification qualificationsAccess to apprenticeship-funded CPD for your own professional developmentComprehensive induction, mentoring, and ongoing support from the Mercury management team
Additional Personal Qualities:
Willingness to learn and gain additional qualifications such as teacher training or assessing qualifications.Methodical and able to work independently.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £34,000.00-£38,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Additional leaveCompany eventsCompany pensionDiscounted or free foodEmployee discountEmployee mentoring programmeFlexitimeFree flu jabsFree or subsidised travelFree parkingHealth & wellbeing programmeLife insuranceOn-site parkingReferral programmeWork from home
