PCDA Profiles
Matthew
What attracted you to apply for the Police Degree Apprenticeship?
Free degree alongside the police role that I already wanted to apply for.
What were you doing before you started the Police Degree Apprenticeship?
Police Community Support Officer – Cheshire Police
What do you do in a typical week as an apprentice?
Classroom learning hours 0830-1630
Knowledge checks on the weeks learning
Home study to reiterate learning
What do you enjoy the most about doing an apprenticeship?
Getting paid whilst learning on the job – interactive learning
Do you have any advice for anyone considering apply for the Police Degree Apprenticeship?
Make sure you have a good work ethic and understanding that work will need to be done outside of normal working hours in order to maintain the level expected of you
Rebecca
What attracted you to apply for the Police Degree Apprenticeship?
I felt like joining the police via a Policing Degree would give me a much better understanding and knowledge before joining the police and throughout my future career.
What were you doing before you started the Police Degree Apprenticeship?
I have spent most my working life self-employed, my last business being an interior design company. I decided I wanted more of a challenge so joined the prison service then applied for Cheshire Constabulary.
What do you do in a typical week as an apprentice?
We go between policing inputs and roll play to educational inputs and essay work.
What do you enjoy the most about doing an apprenticeship?
As I am 32, it is great to be able to earn whilst I’m learning.
Do you have any advice for anyone considering apply for the Police Degree Apprenticeship?
You need to be very committed going forward, it is enjoyable but you need to be very focused and committed throughout the whole of the three years. Manage your time well.
George (Nottinghamshire Police)
Josh
What attracted you to apply for the Police Degree Apprenticeship?
This was a new and innovative course to train the next generation of police officers. The idea of completing a degree at university whilst gaining the knowledge to be an effective police officer.
What were you doing before you started the Police Degree Apprenticeship?
Before the PCDA I was a student completing my A-Levels whilst also being a Special Constable in Cheshire. I felt this inspired me to go on to become a full time police officer and also allowed my confidence to grow.
What do you do in a typical week as an apprentice?
No two days are ever the same. There is a good mix of university lectures and inputs from the police trainers. This can include guest speakers from specialist departments and role-play days to prepare us for our tutor phase.
What do you enjoy the most about doing an apprenticeship?
The balance of university and policing lessons so you aren’t overwhelmed with work. This allows time to discuss in depth theories and build the knowledge required.
Do you have any advice for anyone considering apply for the Police Degree Apprenticeship?
The course requires lots of personal study time. This will include lots of reading around university lectures for essays and also for police subjects. It is a very intense course but very rewarding in knowledge checks and in class assessments.
Lucinda
What attracted you to apply for the Police Degree Apprenticeship?
I was attracted to the degree course by the opportunity to obtain a degree whilst doing a challenging and versatile job which gives me purpose, the knowledge from the degree will hopefully underpinning all of the practical knowledge and experience gained from response policing. Having a degree is always something I have wanted to obtain.
What were you doing before you started the Police Degree Apprenticeship?
I was working as a customer advisor within the equestrian supplies industry, but have a strong equestrian practical background.
What do you do in a typical week as an apprentice?
We work 8-4pm Monday till Friday mainly at the campus in Warrington, occasionally spending days at Winsford HQ. When we are not on campus in the evenings I will go over notes taken from the lectures and practical’s in the day, reflect on the day and the activities and also test my knowledge and retention.
What do you enjoy the most about doing an apprenticeship?
I really enjoy the academic input, and feeling that I can apply the additional knowledge into everyday policing. I enjoy taking part in all of the practical assessments and role-plays. Its been great to have a cohort with varied experience to take on board and help each other through the course.
Do you have any advice for anyone considering apply for the Police Degree Apprenticeship?
I would advise them to apply as I think the opportunity to have a funded degree within this career is a fantastic opportunity. Time management I believe is a huge factor and self-study and management has been a really great learning curve. The trainers are fantastic and enthusiastic about the programme which makes it very diverse.
Sarah
What attracted you to apply for the Police Degree Apprenticeship?
I felt completing the apprenticeship and gaining a degree at the end of the three years would allow me to better progress through the ranks within the force. I also felt it would give me a deeper, more academic understanding to policing, rather than simply learning policies.
What were you doing before you started the Police Degree Apprenticeship?
I previously worked as a buyer in the luxury watch industry, and then moved into Cheshire Constabulary’s force control room, as a gateway and insight into Cheshire as a force and policing.
What do you do in a typical week as an apprentice?
Attend classroom lectures Monday to Friday during the day, and complete practical sessions as a varied way of learning. I also dedicate a couple of hours at home most evenings to cover the topics we have learnt that day, to ensure I understand it.
What do you enjoy the most about doing an apprenticeship?
The apprenticeship allows you to gain a full understanding of policing, and teaches you in further depth about what policing involves. In addition I believe it gives you better groundings for when you are put onto the frontline.
Do you have any advice for anyone considering apply for the Police Degree Apprenticeship?
I was initially hesitant when I first applied, as I was never very academic at school or sixth form, and worried that I may not be able to complete university work. However, it was the best choice I made, there is so much support available, and you are getting a ‘free’ degree, whilst being paid to study.