Ilkeston college students pitch in at Covid vaccination centre as first step to career in public services

The 22 students, all studying public services at Derby College Group’s Broomfield Hall, will be working as marshals at Derby Arena over the coming months as part of their learning.

The project has been set up in partnership with Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust, and will also serve the students with work experience and an insight into roles within the emergency services.

Glenn Newton, deputy site lead at the vaccination centre said: “We are making a real difference in response to the pandemic and volunteers play a vital part in making history for the population health of Derbyshire.

“We have invited the Public Services students from Derby College to gain experience and the knowledge from all professions involved in the vaccination programme, which will support their qualification and inform the career choices of our future workforce.”

Public services team manager Nick Ramsden said: “We are extremely grateful to Derbyshire Community Health Services for giving our students this opportunity.

“Work experience is a vital part of the public services study programme but opportunities have been curtailed due to the pandemic.”

He added: “Not only will this give them first hand experience of important marshalling duties but it will also enable them to make a positive contribution to the county’s Covid-19 response.”

His enthusiasm was echoed by three of the students involved, who all have their sights set on a career in law enforcement.

Maisie Hartshorn, 17, from Kirk Hallam said: “I’m excited to gain work experience, especially within marshalling as it will help me gain experience of working with the public in preparation for applying to the police.”

Caitlyn Nastasia Fazekas, 18, from Chaddesden said: “I want to join the police service so this is important work experience of supporting local communities.”

Jack Smith, 17, from Kilburn added: “This is an amazing opportunity and I know it will be incredibly rewarding to help the public in this very important vaccination programme.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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