STAFF and students at Havering College of Further and Higher Education have saluted a group of former learners who are making big strides in their careers in the uniformed services.
Police, Fire, Ambulance, Army, RAF and Prison Service are just some of the organisations which Havering College students are now working for.
Thirteen former students who successfully completed Public Services courses returned to the Havering College Quarles Campus in Harold Hill, Romford, to inspire the next generation of learners at a special careers day.
They included Met Police Special Constables Billy Briley, Vincent Street, Brett Cooley, Nichola Fell, Sophie Taylorson and Jamie Carpenter as well as Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Gemma Andrews.
The college welcomed back Hayley Cutts and Daniel Cullen, now firefighters with the London Fire Brigade, CCTV operator Jade Cox - whose role involves working with the police – and an officer with HM Prison Service, James Gilham.
London Ambulance Service emergency call operator Ben Toulson, who previously served in the RAF, and Royal Marine Mitchell Morgon also accepted the homecoming invitation.
All had completed a Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Public Services, a Level 2 BTEC Diploma in Public Services or both courses having progressed.
They returned to talk to current students about their day-to-day experiences in their chosen jobs.
Special Constable Billy Briley came to Havering College after completing his GCSEs at Kingswood School - now Drapers Academy in Harold Hill. He also works as a Prison Officer and is going through the recruitment process to become a full-time police constable.
He said: “I would not be who I am today without the Public Services course at Havering College - it has not only shaped my future, but who I am.”
Special Constable Nichola Fell, a former pupil of Redden Court School in Harold Wood, said: “I have learnt lessons at Havering College that will be with me always. The best bit as a Special is getting back to the station at the end of the day, looking around at your colleagues and realising that everyone has done a good job.”
Another ex-pupil of Redden Court School is now working as a PCSO after successfully completing a Public Services course at the college.
Gemma Andrews said: “As a PCSO you are working more within the community and helping people which is what I like to do.”
Mitchell Morgon left Havering College with the Public Services qualification in 2011 to achieve his childhood dream of becoming a Royal Marine.
The coveted green beret is only awarded to individuals who pass 32 weeks of rigorous and demanding training.
The former Sanders Drapers School pupil said: “It’s physically quite hard and mentally challenging. Getting the green beret is the best day of your life. Until you have done it you don’t realise what a journey it is.
“My advice to other young people is to work hard, stand on your own two feet and get a grip on your life - otherwise you will blink and you’re 25 and will have done nothing.”
Mark Brooks – curriculum manager for Public Services - said: “For us, the careers day is a celebration of our successful students, who have progressed onto the careers they wanted. By them coming back, they motivate and inspire the current students towards a similar or greater level of success."
â— For more information on Public Services courses at Havering College call Threshold Services on 01708 462801, email [email protected] or visit http://www.havering-college.ac.uk/
