Name: Megan Edwards

Age: 19

Qualification: Customer Services Level 3 Apprenticeship

Workplace: Cosham Police Station

I left school in the year 2000. I went to see a careers advisor because I wanted to get a job and do a work based qualification. I felt it was really important to get a qualification but I didn’t want to go down the usual route and go to college. The careers advisor suggested I went to Fareport to do the ‘Life Skills’ programme, which is now e2e, so this is what I did. I had a long way to travel into Fareport everyday, so I asked my Assessor if she could find me a job as quickly as possible. She arranged an interview for me at Havant Police Station I got the job!

I started ‘youth training’ to do an Apprenticeship in Business Administration Level 2. I travelled into Fareport once a fortnight to do my Technical Certificate and Key Skill training, which included Application of Number, Communication, ICT, Working with Others and Improving Own Learning and Performance. It took me about 18 months to complete it.

I did a variety of jobs plus I would do any extra tasks to help out when ever I could. I was getting on really well and did all functions within the Criminal Justice Unit (CJU); I also went to Winchester Police Station to do a 6 month secondment within the force enquiry centre. I dealt with all the non-emergency telephone calls, and that got me where I am now, which is Station Enquiry Officer.

I deal with all enquiries on the front desk so I have now progressed to a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Customer Services. I have lot of responsibility and deal with very diverse situations, I have to make a lot of key decisions and take positive action; I also have to be aware of station and personal security.

The Level 3 is harder than the Level 2 because there is quite a lot on ‘civil law’ and I am more familiar with ‘criminal law’, but it has helped me to advice people of the best action to take to help them resolve a situation. It has also made me more aware of work practices and Health & Safety procedures.

I would thoroughly recommend it, I have enjoyed both qualifications; they are very flexible there wasn’t any pressure. I have had loads of help and support from my Assessor and she will adapt to fit in with my shift pattern.

I have applied for a job to actually join the force to become a Police Officer and these qualifications can only help. I am very happy with my current job role but this will be a progressive career move for me – here’s hoping!!!