Investigation into an RPEL route onto the CMDA for police officers

This project looked at whether police officers in first line management roles, who had successfully completed the College of Policing First Line Leader’s Programme could be offered recognition of this prior learning against part of the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship. There was a significant congruence in learning outcomes between the two qualifications, with a small number of topics which would need to be covered in a supported entry process alongside an introduction to OU study. Whilst this could lead to an award at FHEQ level 4, the absence of an externally moderated assessment process within the First Line Leader’s Programme is a significant challenge for the recognition of prior learning into the degree apprenticeship. This research has led to ongoing discussions with College of Policing, and informed work on a broader recognition of prior learning supported entry process onto the OU’s FHEQ Level 6 management apprenticeship qualification.