Protective Services

The sector in a snapshot

This sector brings to mind visions of fire engines and ambulances- careers with 'the uniform' attached.

However, the UK's protective services encompass much more than the emergency services responding to the call of 999. You will be working directly with a variety with other public service professionals within the protective services, healthcare, education and social care.

The Protective Services industry also includes other organisations, from smaller roles in security and borders, to working with the armed forces. These careers are essential for ensuring the day to day security and safety of the citizens of the UK, and further afield.

What could the sector offer you?

Jobs in this industry are likely to:

  • Give you a fulfilling career- you will be dedicating yourself to a life of supporting others and making a difference.

  • Help others- you could literally be saving people's lives!

  • Have variety- no two days will be the same; you will have a mix of paperwork and active work.

  • Let you work with lots of different people- all of these jobs involve helping/working with the community regardless of age, ethnicity, health status, sexuality and socio-economic status. In some roles like the army you may even travel the world.

  • Get ongoing professional training- you will also have the chance to progress up the scale

Reality Check


In all of these roles you may come across situations which might be emotionally distressing or challenging, or even actually dangerous to your own safety. You will need to ensure that you keep yourself at a physical peak and undergo rigorous training. Not all of the jobs are hands on which could be a positive for some but not others.

You will likely need to have skills in...

Communication and interpersonal skills, equality and diversity, approachablility, remaining calm under pressure, decisiveness, teamwork, problem solving, quick thinking, negotiation

The Big Three - Fire, Police and Ambulance Services

  • Being fit, healthy, aged 18 and a team player are all the qualifications you'll need to become a firefighter. You will also need to pass psychometric tests as part of the application.

  • Many UK airports have their own fire services, as does the forestry commission, the MOD and some large industrial companies.

  • Policing is a degree level occupation, just like teaching or nursing

  • You can gain a degree and become a police by taking an apprenticeship route

  • There are hundreds of careers in the police force that do not require you to wear a uniform

  • To be a clinical paramedic, you will need to have studied paramedic science at university or done the degree-level apprenticeship.

  • Non-clinical apprenticeships are also available.

  • Yorkshire has an Air Ambulance Service too

Some (other) roles in the sector

Civil Enforcement

Prison Services

Armed Forces (RAF)

Interested in a career in the Protective Services? Voluntary/work/employment experience is essential to help you build the key skills required for the roles. Check out how to prepare for work below.

See what your career map might look like for the college

Protective Services.pdf