Zarah ChoudharyIn its first year, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) apprenticeship programme has reached the 100-apprentice milestone.
Announced last year during National Apprenticeship Week, the Level Four Non-Home Office Police Officer Apprenticeship (NHOPOA) trains recruits in the National Police Firearms Training Curriculum and takes place across delivery centres in Oxfordshire and Cumbria.
The first 19 weeks of the course is a residential Initial Foundation Programme which includes the highly regarded firearms training, and for the remaining 20 months of the course recruits are posted as Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs) at nominated Operational Policing Units (OPUs) to complete a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate their policing ability.
After passing an End Point Assessment, the apprentices are confirmed in rank.
The celebrations continue this week as the CNC can announce that it recently passed its first Ofsted inspection, receiving praise for its training, practices, and positive recommendations for the future.
This achievement demonstrated the force’s commitment to the learning and development of the people.
Sheree Owen, Chief Superintendent, head of training said: “I am delighted with the outcome of the recent no-notice monitoring visit by Ofsted, the final grading for this will be published by Ofsted in the next two months.
“The feedback from inspectors was very positive, and highlighted the huge effort put into delivering this from many across the CNC, those within the training division, from policing skills instructors and NFIs, the Professional Development Units and tutor constables to the HQ staff who supported the project, the planners, finance team and operational support colleagues.
“We look forward to our full inspection in the next eighteen months.”
Inspector Stuart Rodgers, apprenticeship manager, also said: “My thanks to the apprentices for their hard work and commitment to learning new knowledge and skills, everyone at our training venues and to all those tutors who volunteer their time and effort to ensure our new people settle in well and complete their work to a high standard.”
