Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site
We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.
You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.
This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.
What apprenticeship did you complete?
In 2017, I completed my Level 2 and 3 NVQ in Business Administration with Middlesbrough Council.
How did you hear about this opportunity?
I was researching apprenticeships when I left school and came across Middlesbrough Council’s Apprenticeships scheme. I also had friends and family who were on the scheme at the time who highly recommended it.
What made you decide to go down the apprenticeship route?
I wanted to work as well as learn and I knew that college and university were not the route that I wanted to take. I also wanted to start earning an income. I was keen to work for the police service and the Apprenticeship route was the best entry route for my circumstances.
Can you describe a typical day to us?
Due to nature of my working environment, I had extremely varied days throughout my apprenticeship. Some days were more office-based with administration work and other days were spent out at meetings and meeting the teams.
Most days would start with a check in with the team to see what was on for that day – this helped me understand the dynamics of the team. I attended the Apprenticeship Training Centre one day a week too to complete my portfolio work.
What part of your apprenticeship have you enjoyed the most?
I have enjoyed learning on the go the most. I find it easier to learn whilst doing a task rather than a classroom-based environment. It was really interesting to understand the different roles that teams play within the organisation that contribute in different ways. It was also great to earn an income whilst learning too!
What benefits have you noticed from completing an apprenticeship?
I was ready for a career a lot quicker than I would have been had I attended college. I think its one thing to learn the apprenticeship syllabus but another to learn what it’s like to actually be in a working environment. Working in a busy and demanding team prepares you for the professional working world in ways that cannot be taught.
Did you feel supported as part of your apprenticeship?
Yes, absolutely. The team I work in, which was also the team I completed my apprenticeship in, was really supportive and looked after me the whole way. The Force offered support in many ways such as weekly check in meetings, opportunities to work in different departments to gain a broader understanding of the wider organisation and the chance to attend briefings sessions which were really informative. They made me feel like I was part of the team and was valued.
Would you recommend it to others?
In my opinion, apprenticeships are a great way to learn a skill or gain a qualification as well as working in the environment you want to be in. You learn in real time which makes the transition into a full time employee extremely seamless.
I have been lucky enough to stay within the team I first joined with however the skills and knowledge that I have picked up along the way are transferable to any organisation.
I had no idea what I wanted to do when I left school, but an apprenticeship gave me an insight into the opportunities available and the chance to learn key transferable skills.
To find out more about the range of opportunities available at our Force, visit our Careers page.
Expressions of interest are also open for our Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) opportunity.