Rozalyn Edge serves as an EWSI specialist, providing tactical signals intelligence to J2 assets. Whilst the Royal Signals have now chosen to offer the newly developed L3 Data Technician Apprenticeship, as it more closely aligns with their role, around 25 apprentices remained on the L4 Intelligence Analyst Apprenticeship Standard.

Whilst balancing the demands of her challenging day-to-day role, Roz worked diligently through the deliverables required for her apprenticeship, completing tasks early, arranging for clarification where necessary and thus entered End Point Assessment well ahead of her expected end date. Roz remained diligent throughout the EPA process and was awarded a well-deserved DISTINCTION upon completion in November 2023.

At End Point Assessment (EPA), the Intelligence Analysts are expected to complete a written test, professional interview, and academic analytical research project with presentation, before receiving their final grade. After the presentation of her project, the EPAO requested to use Roz's report submission as an exemplar piece of work for other apprentices to use as a guide to best practice. The EPAO commented: "Excellent evidence produced, strong Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours demonstrated throughout. Great outcomes achieved on all three assessment components."

Additionally, Roz’s recommendations are now being considered for implementation at unit level by her chain of command. This hugely increases the scope of impact from this one single apprenticeship journey. Roz has also been nominated by her commanding officer for recognition as Apprentice of the year.

The Colleges Partnership currently maintains a 100% pass rate for their Intelligence Analyst provision with 50% distinction grades so far against a national average of 38.2%. This investment into apprenticeships by the Royal Signals therefore bodes very well indeed.

The Royal Signals approached The Colleges Partnership about their Network Engineering skills development requirements. They wanted a training provider for a suitable accredited civilian qualification for Network Engineer personnel that demonstrated how military skills can be recognised and built upon either later in their service or in a civilian role.

To enable the capability uplift, the Network Engineer Level 4 Standard was introduced in 2019, The College’s Partnership assist the Royal Signals in delivering this.

Jack Skrastins is one of the Lance Corporal Information Services Engineers with 30 Signal Regiment. He completed his portfolio and progressed to End Point Assessment in 2023. Jack had worked hard and built up a vast amount of knowledge in Network Engineering during his learning term, however due to him going on several courses, exercises and being the lead Information Services Engineer on a priority Legacy Blue Sustain system build for the Regiment he was unable to go through Gateway when initially planned. However with adjusted support from TCP, Jack had managed to maintain his knowledge of the apprenticeship even whilst being away from it. He completed revision of his Mock EPA and completed a Mock Professional Discussion with his ACO. Jack impressed his ACO with his work ethic and his desire to get the apprenticeship completed and passed.

The Army is committed to modernising its workforce, undertaking transforming and resizing measures with a significant impact on the Infantry, and the delivery of Apprenticeships form a key part of that strategy. For more than 20 years TCP have been successfully working with the British Army, and this currently includes assisting with provision of Apprenticeships to the Infantry.

A great example of our flexible, blended approach is highlighted by the Infantry’s Private Kim Charlery;

 “When I arrived at Cottesmore in October of last year, I got there with the intention of moving up through the ranks of the Army. When I was called for my very first interview by Captain Simms, because of my age and experience of being in Law enforcement, I was immediately spoken to about the prospect of progressing through the ranks, though if I wanted to, I would need to provide proof of my education i.e. English and Maths. This was an issue for me.

 I was then contacted by Ms Rachael Smith from the Functional Skills department of The Colleges Partnership about getting me onto the Level 1 course for both subjects. I received unwavering support from her as she provided excellent tutoring throughout the courses, I enjoyed my time working with her and it is as a result of some hard work and dedication I was able to achieve both my Level 1 English and Maths in this short space of time. I have now progressed to take my level 2 Maths, again tutored by Ms Rachael Smith. I have no doubt of my passing. With hard work and dedication, I see no reason for failure. Thank you again for the job you have done thus far, and it will definitely have an impact on my career.

TCP were contracted to provide industry accredited civilian qualifications for Royal Signals personnel undertaking phase 2 and phase 3 training and employed within Field Army Communications Units.

Despite a busy and often hectic operations and deployment schedule, John worked with an elevated level of aptitude, diligence, and motivation throughout and was extremely proactive in his approach to learning new skills and benchmarking competence for the duration of the apprenticeship, including Gateway confirmation and End Point Assessment. He often completed tasks and targets before their due date and always looked for further ways to improve his newly gained knowledge, understanding and skillsets.

John excelled through his Gateway preparation and Mock Assessments and managed the End Point Assessment process with equal diligence and professionalism that he has demonstrated from day one on programme and was awarded an extremely creditable Distinction upon completion of EPA. He was the first apprentice in his unit to complete and achieve at this level.

John’s achievement meant that his Commanding Officer Lt Col Vanessa McDermott personally promoted his achievement and talents to a wider audience, and he is now being put forward to the overall Army Awards.

John is now earmarked to become an apprenticeship mentor (champion) for other soldiers who are undertaking this award within his Squadron and unit so that they can benefit from his abilities and commitment. His Squadron Operations Team and Officer Commanding at 228 Signal Squadron have agreed to recommend this course of action and have added weight for the CO to consider this recommendation for action across the unit, thus increasing the engagement for apprenticeships and supporting the increase of success for other apprentices.