Intelligence analyst/officer : Training

The agencies offer structured inductions as well as on-the-job training programmes that consist of core training. These are followed by tailored courses that are relevant to the particular jobs.

Opportunities include:

• attending internal and external courses, ranging from report writing, legislation and staff review and development, to database querying techniques, internet exploitation and computer-to-computer communications developments;
• attending conferences;
• shadowing colleagues;
• secondments within individual agencies and between agencies;
• visits to, and briefings from, partner organisations at home and abroad;
• language training facilities;
• sponsorship to study for professional qualifications;
• one-to-one mentoring with more experienced team colleagues who offer support in addition to that offered by line managers.

Intelligence analysts are encouraged to develop their skills and learn new ones as part of a programme of continuing professional development (CPD). For example, on average, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ)  employees have seven-and-a-half days' formal training each year complemented with on-the-job development opportunities.