Police apprenticeship leaders have been told to improve after inspectors identified failings in staff development, training records and support for learners facing barriers.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s apprenticeship provision otherwise met the expected standard, with inspectors praising apprentices’ progress, teaching, support arrangements and safeguarding.

The report, published last month, concerns the constabulary’s apprenticeship programmes rather than its frontline policing.

Ofsted inspected the organisation registered as The Chief Constable of Hampshire, which has delivered apprenticeship training under its own contract since 2019.

There were 135 apprentices on programmes when inspectors visited, including around 95 studying for a Level 3 emergency service contact handling qualification and 40 taking the Level 4 police community support officer course.

Inspectors found the force had a “well-developed vision” for apprenticeships, viewing them as central to recruiting, developing and retaining professional and trusted uniformed staff.

They said apprentices typically achieved well, particularly on the Level 4 PCSO programme, while a significant majority remained in their roles or moved on to additional responsibilities within the force.

The overall apprenticeship achievement rate rose from 41 per cent in 2022/23 to 57 per cent in 2023/24 and 71 per cent in 2024/25, above the national average of 65 per cent in the most recent year.

Pass rates were 100 per cent in each of the three years listed, compared with national averages of between 97 and 98 per cent.

Ofsted also praised staff for updating courses promptly in response to changes in legislation and policing practice.

Inspectors said apprentices developed the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to handle complex incidents.

The report said apprentices felt supported while working in demanding, high-pressure and sometimes dangerous environments, and knew how to raise concerns, including those connected to radicalisation and extremism.

However, inspectors found leaders had not established a coherent programme of continuing professional development for staff delivering apprenticeship training.

The report said: “Leaders have not ensured that recording of staff training is consistent, which limits their ability to evaluate its impact on the quality of provision.”

It also found the force did not consistently use data to assess how well apprentices with barriers to learning were progressing compared with their peers.

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said the force followed College of Policing standards and that she was assured it complied with national police regulations.

She said: “Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary is one of the largest forces in the country, with one of the most ambitious recruitment programs in UK policing.

“At the moment it is taking on upwards of 30 new recruits every single month with an expanded training and development department, and this remains a priority for both the Chief Constable and me.”