Security Apprentice
Port of Tyne Authority
Tyne and Wear (NE34 9PL)
Closes in 16 days (Sunday 30 August 2026)
Posted on 13 August 2026
Contents
Summary
As a Security Apprentice, you’ll be part of the team that helps keep the Port running safely and smoothly.
You’ll work across both Tyne Dock (South Shields) and our International Passenger Terminal (North Shields) gaining hands-on experience in a busy, real-world environment.
- Wage
-
£19,500 a year
- Training course
- Professional security operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
8.00am - 4.00pm, with a 30 min lunch.
Monday - Friday, with BH off (counted in the annual leave).
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
-
1 year
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
No two days are the same in this role. You’ll get involved in things like:
- Helping manage who comes in and out of the Port
- Supporting security checks and making sure procedures are followed
- Monitoring CCTV and carrying out patrols across the site
- Helping respond to incidents and supporting emergency procedures
- Speaking with visitors and answering questions
- Completing simple reports and keeping records up to date
- Supporting the wider team with day-to-day operations
- It’s a great mix of practical work, teamwork and responsibility
Where you'll work
Tyne Dock
South Shields
Tyne and Wear
NE34 9PL
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
MERCURY TRAINING SERVICES LTD
Training course
Professional security operative (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Follow assignment instructions relevant to operational duties.
- Carry out work in compliance with all regulations, guidance, legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- Use security systems, applications and software, technology and equipment in line with organisational and operational requirements.
- Take action in the event of an incident, disruption, alarm activation or emergency, liaising with relevant people, escalating when necessary and recording actions and outcomes to meet guidance or organisational requirements.
- Complete and maintain accurate documentation or reports to meet current legislation, guidance, or organisational requirements.
- Challenge suspicious activities on or around the site and apply SCaN principles (see, check, and notify).
- Deliver customer service to all stakeholders, responding to the needs of individuals.
- Navigate a site plan or map of their working environment and areas.
- Carry out observation of designated areas, report and record any irregularities mitigating security and safety threats.
- Use digital communication applications and information management systems to communicate, learn, share, and record information.
- Use personal protection equipment (PPE) correctly.
- Use verbal and non-verbal communication skills (for example the 'Power of Hello’) when interacting with individuals.
- Use an appropriate tone of voice in all communications that reflect the organisations or client’s values.
- Contribute to review and improve the daily operating processes and procedures.
- Defuse potential conflict situations.
- Identify the component parts of explosive and incendiary items, firearms, and other prohibited items.
- Carry out dynamic risk assessments at sites or locations.
- Carry out various searches (for example, of areas, people, vehicles or items) in a operational security capacity.
- Apply operational security access control systems, procedures, and forms of authorisation in crowded space environments or publicly accessible locations.
- Identify, handle or potentially confiscate sensitive material, dangerous or prohibited items.
- Patrol assigned areas for operational security to control access, detect and respond to unwanted activities, communicate, and report findings.
- Deploy the correct type of barrier in an operational security context safely.
- Carry out vehicle safety checks and basic maintenance on CViT vehicles.
- Operate specially adapted vehicles' security system including load and unload mode.
- Calculate the shortest and safest route between vehicle and collection point.
- Read maps to find locations for CViT and re-route in case of traffic or diversions (paper map and/or sat nav technology).
- Use communications and mapping equipment when operating a CViT vehicle.
- Carry out various searches (for example, of areas, people, vehicles or items) in a mobile security capacity.
- Patrol assigned areas for mobile security to control access, detect and respond to unwanted activities, communicate, and report findings.
- Deploy correct type of barrier in a mobile security context safely.
- Carry out vehicle safety checks and basic maintenance on mobile security vehicles.
- Read maps to find locations for mobile security response and re-route in case of traffic or diversions (paper map and/or sat nav technology).
- Use communications and mapping equipment when operating a mobile security vehicle.
- Carry out various searches (for example, of areas, vehicles, or items) from the control room.
- Apply control room access control systems, procedures, and forms of authorisation in crowded space environments or publicly accessible locations.
- Scan and track assigned areas for control room to control access, detect and respond to unwanted activities, communicate, and report findings.
- Deploy correct type of barrier in a control room context safely.
- Identify and use components of a control room system.
- Gather and store CCTV footage for evidential use.
- Follow assignment instructions relevant to operational duties.
- Carry out work in compliance with all regulations, guidance, legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- Use security systems, applications and software, technology and equipment in line with organisational and operational requirements.
- Take action in the event of an incident, disruption, alarm activation or emergency, liaising with relevant people, escalating when necessary and recording actions and outcomes to meet guidance or organisational requirements.
- Complete and maintain accurate documentation or reports to meet current legislation, guidance, or organisational requirements.
- Challenge suspicious activities on or around the site and apply SCaN principles (see, check, and notify).
- Deliver customer service to all stakeholders, responding to the needs of individuals.
- Navigate a site plan or map of their working environment and areas.
- Carry out observation of designated areas, report and record any irregularities mitigating security and safety threats.
- Use digital communication applications and information management systems to communicate, learn, share, and record information.
- Use personal protection equipment (PPE) correctly.
- Use verbal and non-verbal communication skills (for example the 'Power of Hello’) when interacting with individuals.
- Use an appropriate tone of voice in all communications that reflect the organisations or client’s values.
- Contribute to review and improve the daily operating processes and procedures.
- Defuse potential conflict situations.
- Identify the component parts of explosive and incendiary items, firearms, and other prohibited items.
- Carry out dynamic risk assessments at sites or locations.
Training schedule
You’ll get:
- Real, hands-on experience in a working port
- Full training and ongoing support both from your appointed tutor and assessor at Mercury and also from your mentor at the Port
- A chance to build confidence and learn new skills
- Opportunities to grow and develop within the Port
Requirements
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- Driving Licence
Other requirements
- Must be age 18 or over (Occupational requirement)
- Must have a full driving licence
- Passing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check
- Willingness to work across different sites when needed
About this employer
Our mission is to create a vibrant and sustainable Port of Tyne contributing to the growth of the economy and to hand on the Port in a better condition to future generations. Our vision is to be the UK's safest, most progressive customer-focused and environmentally sustainable port, and a great place to work. Our values reflect the culture of our company and are the guiding principles for how we do business, they are to be Open, Excellent, Respectful and Responsible.
https://www.portoftyne.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Your birthday off
- Pension scheme with employer contributions
- Health cash plan (dental, optical and more)
- Employee Assistance Programme (wellbeing support)
- Personal training budget
- On-site physio
- Profit share scheme
- Fun team activities and wellbeing events throughout the year
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Progression to a permanent role within the Security Team working across a number of different areas of the Port.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
MERCURY TRAINING SERVICES LTD
LearningandDevelopment@portoftyne.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000048272.
Apply now
Closes in 16 days (Sunday 30 August 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.