Planit : Career Areas : Uniformed and Security Services

Are you attracted to the idea of being part of a team and doing an important job? Or what about working abroad and challenging yourself mentally and physically? A career in the uniformed and security services can not only offer these opportunities, but you can receive quality training and, in some cases, learn a trade or new skill too.

This career sector contains services that are concerned with security across a broad spectrum, from the country’s defence to civil order and protection of private businesses and individuals, to dealing with emergencies at sea or on land.

What areas can I work in?

This career area consists of four sectors:

armed services, whose main purpose is to defend the United Kingdom, its Overseas Territories (like Gibraltar), its people and interests
emergency services, which includes coastguard and firefighting services
police and security work, which includes the investigation of criminal activities, public safety and surveillance, border security and customs and revenue services
prison work involving custodial work and the rehabilitation of prisoners.

To see the routes to getting into each of these sectors, take a look at our Career Pathway.

What kind of companies can I work for?

Armed services

Army
Royal Air Force
Royal Navy
Royal Marines.

Emergency Services

Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), a UK government agency
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS)
Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Police and Security Work

Police Scotland
private security firms
local authorities
airports
retail stores and supermarkets
Border Force
UK Visas and Immigration
Scottish Police Authority (SPA)
government departments such as Security Service (MI5), Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) or GCHG (Government Communications Headquarters).

Prison Work

Scottish Prison Service (SPS).

What’s the job market like?

Generally the job prospects are good, although entry can be very competitive. It can help if you are able to move around the country in many jobs.

The armed services are a major UK employer, with 183,130 UK Forces personnel as of 1st January 2024. 60% of these serve in the army, whilst the rest are equally split between the Royal Marines and the Royal Air Force. ⁵

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Services employed 7,619 staff in uniformed and non-uniformed roles as of the end of March 2023. They have 357 community fire stations across Scotland. Entry is very competitive. ³

There are very few jobs for Coastguards. In the year ending 31 March 2023 the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) had 1,131 permanent employees. They were supported by 3,500 volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers based across the country. ⁴

As of 31 March 2024, there were 16,356 police officers in Scotland. This is a decrease of 259 from the previous year. Police Scotland have recruitment intakes at various times throughout the year. ¹

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has 14 prisons directly operated by SPS and 2 private sector prisons under contract with SPS in Scotland. In 2022-2023 it directly employed 4,600 staff in a variety of roles. ²

There is a growing private security industry in Scotland, providing CCTV surveillance, security patrols and other guarding services as well as private investigation and intelligence services. This sector includes door supervisors and stewards.

Border Force UK employ around 10,000 staff in frontline roles. They work in 140 ports and airports in the UK and overseas. ⁶

Facts and figures

The RAF offers around 58 different careers for both men and women. There are jobs in aircrew, air and space operations, cyberspace, chaplaincy, engineering, intelligence, legal, logistics, medical services, people operations and security and resilience operations. ⁷
As of 1st April 2023, the UK Regular Forces employed 16,450 women, and accounted for 11.5% of the total trained and untrained strength. ⁸
HM Coastguard responded to more than 36,000 incidents in 2022-23. ⁴
In the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, only 6% of wholetime firefighters are female. ³
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is the world’s fourth largest fire and rescue service. ³

Want to find out more?

For detailed information about the Army, phone 0345 600 8080 or visit the Army website (www.army.mod.uk).

You can also find information on careers in the armed services at the Ministry of Defence website (www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence).

For detailed information about the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, visit their websites at (www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers).

For careers in the Royal Air Force, phone 0345 605 5555 and visit its website (www.raf.mod.uk).

For government security careers, see websites for Security Service (MI5), Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) or GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters).