HSDC recently strengthened its reputation for sector-leading, employer-informed education, as first-year Uniformed and Public Defence Services students from Level 1 to Level 3 took part in an immersive careers and industry insight morning at Fort Purbrook. Students from both HSDC’s South Downs Campus and Alton College participated in the event, which brought together professionals from across the Navy, Army, Police, Fire Service, Paramedics and MoD Police for a day shaped entirely around real-world insight.
Students received a tour of a genuine police van.
Fort Purbrook, a long-standing partner of the course and regular teaching base for South Downs’ students, provided the perfect backdrop for the sessions. Its operational environment allows students to develop their skills in locations that reflect the professional settings they aspire to enter, giving them not only industry-standard learning, but also the confidence that comes with practising in realistic conditions.
Throughout the day, students rotated through a series of talks, demonstrations and hands-on opportunities with serving personnel representing the breadth of the UK’s public services.
The British Army led equipment demonstrations, allowing students to try on helmets, body armour and operational kit whilst learning about the modern application pathways and expectations. Meanwhile, the Royal Navy discussed the need for versatility in modern service roles and explained the Navy’s operational responsibilities both domestically and overseas.
Students listening to a talk by the Royal Navy.
Robyn Davies, a paramedic, spoke passionately about the different routes into the ambulance service, emphasising the importance of resilience and communication. Robyn, who studied at South Downs when she was younger, gave students a true insight into how her time at College helped her to succeed:
“South Downs is where I decided that I wanted to join a service, and the course really helped me realise that the only limits I had were the limits I believed.”
Students were also joined by representatives from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, with a PC and a PCSO from Waterlooville Police Station guiding students through the structure of the police force, the diversity of policing careers available, and the professional qualities required to enter the service. These students were then treated to a true hands-on experience: exploring their police van! Learners tested the sirens and were even given a handcuff demonstration in an entertaining and informative end to the session.
These sessions provided students with rare, candid insights into the realities and expectations of public service careers – information which is normally encountered much later in a typical training journey. It reinforced HSDC’s commitment to delivering technical education shaped directly by industry expectations, with access to relevant equipment, specialist workshops and sector partnerships mirroring genuine practice at every stage.
Opening the session to all levels also ensured that students were given a true understanding of the importance of professionalism, self-presentation and communication skills. Through practical tasks and collaborative discussion, HSDC’s students gained a competitive advantage by knowing what will be expected of them long before they apply.
HSDC is proud to deliver an education where every lesson, partnership and experience leads towards a clear professional destination. The Fort Purbrook careers morning is one of many initiatives that ensures learners can develop the technical capability, mindset and confidence required to succeed in the uniformed and wider public defence sectors.