Meet Jonathan Clarke, an Access to Policing student who is now ready to take on a Police Constable Apprenticeship programme!
After 7 years away from education, Jonathan’s experience in the world of work gave him the clarity and direction he needed to discover his true calling: a career in the police.
Fast forward to today, he is enrolled on the Access to Policing course at Middlesbrough College, where he’s building the skills, confidence, and qualifications to pursue his dream career!
Jonathan said: “I first joined Middlesbrough College in 2016 to study Public Services. However, I wasn’t completely sure of what I wanted to do, so I went straight into work at AV Dawson.
“Getting that real-world experience was really valuable for me – I learned how to deal with people and gained a lot of experience and insight, all of which helped me decide what I really want to do in life.
“The Access to Policing course is brilliant, and the teachers are fantastic. They have so much experience from their time working in industry, which really helps when we’re learning different modules.
“One of our teachers, Liz, is a specialist in Criminology, while Darrin worked in the Criminal Investigation Department for years. Because of their different career backgrounds, everyone brings different approaches and real-world examples, which helps us put our learning into a real-world context. It makes the work we do in the classroom even more interesting and engaging.
“The course itself has given me lots of life experience. I’ve learned how to present confidently, produce professional work, and be confident in front of people – skills that will be beneficial in all areas of my life, from studying at University to going up the ranks in the police.
“All of the teaching staff are really approachable and give fantastic feedback, whether that’s how to amend your work or what you can do to improve, get the best grade, and reach your full potential.
“Having one day a week in the classroom is massively helpful. You can speak directly with the teachers and get the support you need. It’s absolutely worth it.”
When asked if he would recommend the course to others, Jonathan said: “For anyone who wants a career in policing, it’s absolutely worth it. I would recommend it to anyone. You’ll gain valuable skills, real confidence, and great insight into the profession, with all the support you need along the way.”
Next, Jonathan has his sights set on the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) programme — and we can’t wait to see what he achieves next!
Thinking about a career in the police?
Our Access to Higher Education (Policing) qualification is designed to help you build the knowledge, confidence, and real-world skills you need for a wide range of job roles in the police.
Take your first step today by exploring our Access to Policing course, or for explore our full range of Access courses to find your perfect career path!