Let's not fear policing becoming a graduate entry job

I've been listening to a debate on apprenticeships and degree entry for policing at Ryton-on-Dunsmore in Warwickshire today.

It made me reflect that I served two apprenticeships, back to back.

Firstly I joined Hoover as a management trainee. As part of that apprenticeship I spent six months each year working in various departments and six months at college.

At the end of the apprenticeship I was awarded a degree, part of which was for a research project on behalf of Hoover.

I had joined Hoover because I wanted to pursue a career in personnel management.

But as a result of my experiences at work, and the enjoyment I gained from exposure to the world of business finance, my final project was about predicting cash flow for the company.

As I had only rudimentary access to computing power, I decided to seek a second apprenticeship as a chartered accountant. I joined the city firm of Turquand Barton & Mayhew as an articled clerk.

I worked during the day on audits and studied in the evenings with a block release to college for a couple of months before each exam. After a resit of the final exams I qualified as a chartered accountant.

When we talk about apprenticeships, I'm a firm supporter. A degree in policing might be the award achieved from a successful apprenticeship.

Let's not be frightened by policing becoming a graduate entry profession, but ensure the entry is available to people from a wide range of backgrounds and is not based solely on academic ability at the point of entry.