Derbyshire Constabulary welcomed four new apprentices into the organisation last month. This is part of the organisation’s continued commitment to develop its workforce and create opportunities for young people across Derbyshire. A further two apprentices will also join the team in December.
The apprentices will be an integral part of the Constabulary. They will learn new skills with the support of colleagues and work based tutors from apprenticeship training provider, Learning Unlimited.
The new recruits are all embarking on an apprenticeships in business administration in various departments across the organisation. They will get the chance to develop key skills for their future careers at the same time as earning a wage.
One of the new apprentices who works with the Legal Services Team, Ronan Suffolk, said:
“I’ve only been here a few weeks but I already feel like I belong. Everyone has been really friendly and welcoming. I like what I am doing and I am already getting the opportunity to work with the team on some interesting cases. I am getting to know more about what everyone in my department does which is helping me to learn more about my job, as well as build working relationships with people.”
“Apprenticeships are really good to help you develop your career. I am enjoying being able to learn different aspects of the job at the same time as earning. I am really proud of myself for getting an apprenticeship with an organisation like Derbyshire Constabulary and hopefully I can work hard and progress to be successful in the role.”
Learning Unlimited has worked with Derbyshire Constabulary to support their commitment to apprenticeships for many years. Apprentices are a key part of the organisation’s succession planning and workforce development strategy. The new cohort of apprentices is following in the footsteps of many successful apprentices who are now working across the constabulary in a variety of roles from IT to community policing.
Former apprentice, now Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), Saffron Moncrief, told us:
“My apprenticeship gave me a great insight into working with Derbyshire Constabulary. At the end of it I was encouraged to stay in the force. I wouldn’t be doing the job I am now if it wasn’t for my apprenticeship. It was very much a foot in the door. It helped me to get the knowledge I needed to be successful at interview and develop so many skills which are critical in my current job. During my apprenticeship I had to speak to officers every day, which is what made me think about a PCSO role. I love what I am doing now and no two days are the same.”
Lorcan Allsop-Morley, aged 19, is almost at the end of his apprenticeship with the Technical Support team, which started last September. He is looking forward to further training as an infrastructure technician. He told us:
“I have really enjoyed my apprenticeship and although this is not a frontline job I do feel like I am contributing to helping the public. Working in a big team, there are lots of learning opportunities. The work I do links into my assignments and there is freedom to choose when you study around your work. I have had lots of support from my colleagues. Everyone wants to help you get to where you want to be. I hope I can continue my career here but I also know the skills I have gained will give me lots of options when it comes to my career.”
Phil Mason, Head of HR at Derbyshire Constabulary said:
“Our apprenticeship programme is really important because it allows us to bring young people into the organisation who come with a whole range of new skills. We want to nurture and develop these young people to give them a good start to their careers. I am delighted to see so many of the apprentices we have worked with over the last few years move into full time roles or higher level apprenticeships with us. Working with Learning Unlimited, part of the Chesterfield College group, we have developed our apprenticeship programme to ensure apprentices are given a wide range of work experiences and quality training support to gain a qualification, at the same time as equipping them with vital employability skills.”