Students can now apply for an apprenticeship in counter fraud investigation, the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education has announced today.

It’s the 500th new apprenticeship standard to be approved by the institute and apprentices could work on high-profile cases with the National Investigation Service, the Serious Fraud Office, or tax fraud with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

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The training programme was developed with the support of the NHS Counter Fraud Authority, the Cabinet Office and local authorities.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson said more high-quality apprenticeship opportunities are now available than ever before. 

“The new counter fraud investigator apprenticeship has been developed by leading fraud experts including HMRC and the Serious Fraud Office and will open exciting opportunities to work across the public sector and help crack down on fraudsters.”

Mark Cheeseman, deputy director and chair of the Government Counter Fraud Profession Board, said he was delighted. 

He said: “The launch of this apprenticeship marks a step change in how we develop the public sector skills to fight fraud and economic crime. Fraud costs the taxpayer billions of pounds every year and to fight it we need skilled, capable and motivated people - who want to make a difference and aren’t afraid of a challenge. This apprenticeship will develop a new generation of skilled professionals who will be at the forefront of the fight against fraud.”