Apprenticeships

Start Your Policing Journey with an Apprenticeship

Our Apprenticeship scheme offers a unique opportunity to kick-start your career in policing while gaining a valuable qualification. Combine practical on-the-job training with academic study and you’ll be making a real difference in your community from day one. 

Why choose a West Midlands Police Apprenticeship? 

• Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers: We’re proud to be recognised as one of the UK’s leading apprenticeship employers. 

• Earn while you learn: Receive a competitive salary while studying towards a nationally recognised qualification. 

• Fast-track your career: Our Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) is your path to becoming a fully qualified officer. 

• Real experience: Gain hands-on experience in a variety of policing roles. 

• Make a difference: Protect your community and build a rewarding career. 

• Excellent benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, fantastic pension scheme, and opportunities for professional development. 

What to expect 

Our Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training and study, ensuring you develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in policing. 

You don't need a degree to join the police. With our Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) programme, you'll earn and learn on the job, all without building up student debt.  

We now have over 600 apprentices working in departments as varied as IT, Forensics, our garages and human resources.  

Don’t just take our word for it, hear from some our current apprentices: 

PC Kamer Orhan, from Birmingham, was studying Uniformed Public Services at Halesowen College before becoming an apprentice police officer.  

She said: “Being a police officer has been my dream since I was a child. My mum was a bit nervous for me, but she’s very proud. 

Like all of her classmates, Kamer could have chosen one of a number of routes available to her to become an officer, but she opted for a WMP apprenticeship to earn while she learns.  

“I wanted to serve and I wanted a degree, but I did not want a lifetime of debt paying off massive student loans,” said Kamer.  

“Apprenticeships mean you’re better off. You’re getting a degree while you’re working and you earn much more than a regular student job, such as bar work.” 

PC Chandler Anthony, from Stafford, was a manager in McDonald’s before joining WMP. Like Kamer, he’s always wanted to be a police officer and wanted to secure a degree, but three years in a university lecture hall were not for him. 

“I’m not a classroom person,” he said.  

“I prefer to learn on the go, so I’m most looking forward to going out after six months in Tally Ho! and helping people. My first placement is 16 weeks on Response where I know I’ll learn a lot. 

“This isn’t a normal job. It’s not the safest job in the world and I know we’ll see some really bad things, but we’re all prepared for that. Our classmates are a great bunch - there’s all kinds of people in there. We all get on and we’ve already formed strong bonds. Everyone helps each other out and there’s great support from our tutors and the organisation. I know we’ll be as prepared as we can be when we go out on patrol with Response.”

Find out more

To find out more, visit our careers page or get in touch at [email protected]