Students from HSDC College Group’s Public and Defence Service programmes took part in an exciting and informative Careers Event Morning on Tuesday 29 September, providing valuable insight into a range of careers within the uniformed and emergency services.
A total of 84 Year 1 Public and Defence Service students from South Downs and Alton campuses attended the event. They were joined by 10 Year 8 students from Crookhorn College as part of the Boys Impact Project, creating a fantastic opportunity for younger learners to experience careers education alongside college students.
The highly successful morning featured a round-robin programme of presentations delivered by representatives from a variety of services, including:
- The British Army
- Hampshire Police
- Ministry of Defence Police (MDP)
- RAF Police
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service
Students rotated through each session, gaining first-hand knowledge about career pathways, entry requirements, training opportunities and the day-to-day realities of working within each service.
Adding to the excitement, the Fire and Rescue Service brought two fire appliances to the campus, giving students a unique opportunity to see operational equipment up close and speak directly with serving firefighters about their roles.
The event forms an important part of the students’ Careers Unit, helping them to explore future employment opportunities while developing a greater understanding of the wide range of roles available within the public and defence sectors. Through direct engagement with professionals currently serving in these organisations, students were able to gain inspiration, ask questions and develop a clearer picture of potential career pathways.
The positive feedback from students and visiting organisations highlighted the success of the morning, with many participants leaving motivated and inspired to pursue careers in service to their communities and country.