This one-year College Diploma course introduces students to the role of the Public Services - from the Police, Prisons, Ambulance and Fire and Rescue Services to the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force. Emphasis is placed on skills development at this level and so a supportive programme of maths and English is compulsory within the course.
Students on this course are expected to engage in supporting a range of community and regional events. This means that weekends will often be part of the academic timetable in order to fulfil work experience placements.
The course is designed for students with low-level GCSE grades or limited qualification achievements. It is essential that students show a commitment to maintaining high standards of behaviour and attendance and to meeting deadlines. Candidates will be invited for an interview as part of the application process. You are welcome to attend the Public Services Information Evenings held throughout the year for further details.
We expect students to have enthusiasm for helping the community and a commitment to improving their academic and vocational skills in order to progress to higher levels of study. Students need to be motivated to achieve their English and maths as this forms the majority of focus during their studies.
Further study
Viewers of Channel Four’s British Army Girls may well remember former recruit Krystal Treadwell. The ex-Derby College Public Services student was among a group of raw recruits filmed doing their basic training at the army’s Pirbright training centre in Surrey. And as Krystal herself readily admits she had her fair share of share of ups and downs during what was a very demanding 14 weeks.
The fly-on-the-wall documentary, aired in April, gave a fascinating insight into what is expected of the recruits as they prepare to pass out – and what it takes to become a British Army soldier. Now an army chef, Krystal, who is from Chaddesden, took further army training after Pirbright and is now preparing to go on a six week tour of duty to Africa – her first overseas tour.
And, although she found initial training hard going at times, she is pleased she took the Public Services course at Broomfield before joining up. She especially enjoyed the map reading part of her course, which involved training at Drum Hill near Derby. Krystal found that already having had some navigational experience helped her on army exercises. She said...
I’m glad I went to Derby College as it set me up nicely for going in the army. The Public Services course is good for your fitness when you’re getting ready to go into the armed forces and all the volunteering you do at college looks great on your CV.