National Apprenticeship Week: Former apprentice secured full-time job with GMP

National Apprenticeship Week is an annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships and runs from 6-10 February 2023. Apprenticeships are an opportunity to get hands-on training and put skills into practice with the potential to progress into a career at Greater Manchester Police. Today we speak to three more people who have enjoyed a successful apprenticeship with GMP.

Ellie Wain

A former Greater Manchester Police apprentice has not only scored top marks in her exams but also secured a full-time job with the force.

Ellie Wain, 20, received three distinctions in her Business Administration Apprenticeship level 3 exams last month and now works as a Resource Management Officer at Manchester Airport.

She completed a 15-month apprenticeship at Force Headquarters in the Resource Management Unit for Special Operations.

Ellie said: “I had just left college and always wanted to work for the police but didn’t know GMP did apprenticeships so thought it was a good way to get a foot in the door.

“As part of my apprenticeship I managed officers’ duties and shift patterns, planned resources for big events like football matches and I was also part of the planning for Operation Avro.

“It also helped me find out more about GMP and all the different departments, and to analyse and break down my job.

“I then applied to work at the airport – this is pretty much my perfect job, very similar to what I was doing before but working by myself and allows me to set up my own processes and ways of working.

“I am hoping it will open up future opportunities – I would like to become a police officer or work in forensic photography.”

Ellie oversees the shift patterns and training plans for around 120 members of staff, including officers, specialist officers and police staff.

Chief Inspector Gayle Brister said: “I’m not surprised Ellie was awarded a distinction in her exams - she is a superb addition to the team at the airport.

“The airport is a unique place to work within GMP, managing a diverse team and her previous experience has really helped equip her for this role. Ellie has already identified new ways of working which will help us all.”

Lucy Barran

Lucy Barran, 21, started as a Business Administration Apprentice in February 2022 and hopes to become a police officer

She said: “I joined the force as an apprentice because I have always wanted to be a part of the GMP family.

“The opportunity arose for me to do business administration, which I had done before and really enjoyed, and also to get a qualification at the same time.

“I work with the Mounted Unit and with the Major Incident Team (MIT). When I am with the Mounted Unit, I carry out general admin duties such as keeping documents up to date including the files on the horses.

“At MIT I help the exhibits officer file exhibits for cases as well as general admin duties – filing statements and important documents – as well as helping with research.

“The highlight of my time as an apprentice is working close to the police horses, knowing them all by name - having watched some of them grow and be trained from the start is a honour.

“I also work alongside such amazing and supportive people. My career aspiration is to hopefully work in MIT, either as staff or a detective.”

Erin Murray

Erin Murray, 22, started as a Customer Service Apprentice in a substantive role in the Crime Recording Resolution Unit in November 2022

She said: “When I was offered my current role in the CRRU I was also given the chance to do a Customer Service Apprenticeship alongside the job.

“I was immediately interested as I was feeling apprehensive about starting a role that was entirely different to anything I’d ever done before.

“The apprenticeship gave me a great foundation to build on and boosted my confidence early on. If I ever found myself feeling confused or uncertain, I knew I could ask my trainer or supervisor for advice - no matter how silly the question felt.

“I have really enjoyed my time working in the CRRU and have no plans to leave anytime soon.

“However, one day I hope to work in the CID as my current role has sparked an interest in me for the investigative side of the law.”