This National Apprenticeship Week, we wanted to find out a bit more about how apprenticeships have helped shape the careers of individuals in the protective services. Crucially, we wanted to find out how apprenticeships have helped develop not only the skills you need to start a new career, but also how these skills can go on to help and guide individuals’ careers long after their apprenticeship has finished.
Four apprentices from across the protective services shared their experience with us. Pieter Classens from Sussex Police originally undertook a Police Community Support Officer apprenticeship before progressing into his current role as a Police Constable. Scott Goodman, a Watch Commander from Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, originally undertook an Operational Firefighter apprenticeship. And Dan Hare and Neil Vint, from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, who have both progressed to Crew Manager roles since completing their apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships and career progression
When asked about how the experience from his apprenticeship continues to help in their role today and their career progression, Scott said:
“The apprenticeship process encouraged me to continue learning and developing my skills to progress into the role I am currently performing. As an apprentice I understood how important good communication is during high pressure situations; this is something I take forward as a watch commander leading the effectiveness of my watch.”
“The apprenticeship equipped me with the skills and fundamental knowledge required to perform to a high standard in the operational field.”
Pieter added that he gained experience in dealing with the public, local issues, using equipment, and building relationships with colleagues and agencies from his apprenticeship, which are all skills he continues to use today.
Dan shared:
“The apprenticeship scheme allowed me to build a firm base of knowledge and skills required to fulfil the firefighter role. Personally, I prefer this style of learning because I am a practical, hands-on individual and the apprenticeship has supported and solidified my basic knowledge.”
“Yes, I feel the skills I learnt in my apprenticeship helped my career progression due to the nature of the practical and written evidence it required as it provides a good grounding in the job role and also promotes self-directed learning.”
Continuing learning and development
Roles within the protective services are always evolving and continuing to learn and develop skills as much as possible is essential. On this topic, Pieter said:
“I’m currently on the PCEP route as a student police constable, and my PCSO apprenticeship experience is invaluable.”
Neil said:
“The apprenticeship continues to play a role in the job that I have today. I now am in the position that I manage two apprentices. My own experience with this allows me to give them the specialist help and support that they need.
“One of the most important lessons that I learnt during the apprenticeship was to look outside of my own role and realise the impact that we have as part of the wider service. To go into greater depth about why we carry out HFSV’s or FSO40’s for example has led me refer a lot more people than I may of normally. This has helped both members of the public and businesses get the help they need in the right places.
“One of the skills that I picked up during the apprenticeship was during the professional discussion. The ability to sit there and answer questions in greater detail really helped me during the promotion interview and presentation stages. This allowed me to put a lot of detail in my answers about how my role affects the service as a whole and the impact that I can have on others.”
Discussing learning and development in the fire service, Dan shares:
“The fire service job requires continuous learning and development in order to make change in practice or adapt current methods.”
Neil said:
“After my apprenticeship I entered the Leadership Resource Succession (LRS) to continue my development. This was a process that took me over two years to complete. During this stage I was acting up or temporary for both my wholetime and on-call roles. The evidence that I used for my apprenticeship mirrors a lot of the evidence I used for the LRS.
“I still am heavily involved in many learning and development courses. My most recent was the 5-day leadership course.”
Scott adds:
“After my apprenticeship I was able to become a firefighter instructor and certainly through the role of crew commander and watch commander I am able to help develop the next generation of firefighters and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) technicians.”
It’s undeniable that apprenticeships are an irreplaceable way to support individuals to gain the skills required to join public sector workforces, such as the police and fire service. But it’s also clear that the foundational skills they develop in this process stay with them well into the future and help form the basis of what is often a lifelong career.
Advice to prospective apprentices
The four ex-apprentices each shared their advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship.
Dan: “I feel the apprenticeship scheme is a great way of learning on the job to fully appreciate and gain confidence and competence in skill development with support from Essex County FRS plus external agencies like SFJ Awards. It is well worth it!”
Pieter: “Absolutely do it!”
Neil: “Definitely give it a go. When I transferred from on-call to wholetime I thought I had a good grasp of all the things the service did. I believe doing it has made me a much more rounded firefighter.”
Scott: “Apprenticeships are definitely a good idea for someone who wants to learn a new vocation.”
If you’re looking to start an apprenticeship, explore our apprentice hub which includes a variety of information and other apprentice stories to help inspire you into your new career.
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