Earlier this year, Leeds City College's NCFE Uniformed Public Services students experienced a once-in-a-lifetime volunteering trip to St Lucia, thanks to the government’s Turing Scheme. This Caribbean adventure offered three students invaluable work experience and the chance to support their studies by engaging with local police, fire services, and child protective services.
We caught up with Karl Jones, Lecturer in the Public Services Department, to find out how this qualification and volunteering opportunity are shaping the futures of his students.
Q: Why did your students choose to study the NCFE Uniformed Public Services V Cert qualification?
A: “Our students are drawn to the Uniformed Public Services qualification for its varied units and hands-on approach to practical assessments. From mastering handcuffing techniques and police powers to tackling adventurous activities like wall climbing, the course is designed to be engaging and dynamic.
“The ability to minimise exams and focus mainly on assignments also attracts students to come and do the course. We showcase our course's success stories through social media and often have visits from former students who have entered uniformed services careers, which motivates our new learners.”
Q: What have been the course highlights?
A: “One standout feature of our course is the opportunity for outdoor expeditions, which we’ve previously done at Malham Cove. These trips are more than just a day out—they’re an opportunity for students to bond with their peers and instructors in a relaxed setting and are often mentioned by students as one of their favourite moments of the course. Other highlights include working with local services on riot training, police role plays, and fire service training, which gives students a taste of real-life public service tasks in preparation for their own careers.”
Q: How do the students feel about this NCFE qualification?
A: ”Students appreciate the practical nature of the Uniformed Public Services V Cert, which reduces the pressure of exams and offers hands-on learning. The varied assessment methods and our strong ties with local public service professionals prepare students effectively for their careers through offering them on-the-job experience, and they’ll often visit our campus to lead sessions and networking events.
“Olive Eleftheriou, one of our students, shared that ‘one of the highlights of the course is the trips and visits we get to go on. We went to Yeadon Tarn and did team building activities, canoeing, and fitness which were all helpful for what we wanted to do as jobs. We also go to Malham Cove and do outdoor activities such as map reading and orienteering. For someone like me, who likes to be outdoors instead of sitting in a classroom, it's perfect.’”
Q: How did the opportunity for your students to volunteer in St Lucia arise?
A: “The St Lucia volunteering opportunity came about through Caribbean Elective, a tour company offering overseas work experience programmes in all sectors and funded by the government’s Turing Scheme. After evaluating their proposed itinerary, our Heads of Department were eager to pilot the scheme and offer this unique experience at our college. They saw the potential for the students, and opportunities for further self-development and social interaction, which aligns with our goals for student development.”
Pictured: Leeds City College Uniformed Public Services V Cert students in St Lucia
Q: How has this volunteering opportunity and the qualification prepared the students for their next steps?
A: “Volunteering in St Lucia equipped our students with valuable life skills – by volunteering away from home, they feel more ready to take on university, employment and gap years. They gained a broader perspective on global opportunities in this sector and saw how different public service roles operate internationally. One of our students, Olive, left the trip with a completely new perspective on life, seeing the world as so much larger than the area she lives in. Inspired by the amazing female firefighters she met; she’s determined to pursue her own dreams.
“The students learnt to be extremely grateful for the opportunities they have in England. After visiting schools with very limited supplies, they returned with an appreciation for the facilities and resources we have readily available. They also adopted a ‘just try it’ attitude, expressing that they often avoid things in fear of what their peers might say, but by stepping out of their comfort zone and trying new things, they gained newfound confidence.”
Q: What did the students get involved with whilst in St Lucia?
A: “To help develop skills that they could return home with and bring into their college work, the students were partnered with a local school and were actively involved in various activities:
- conducting sports sessions for school students, including planning and running a sports day at Babonneau Primary School, which honed their social skills
- visiting local fire, police, and child protective services to understand their roles, history and operations and undergo first aid and CPR training
- participating in self-defense, personal safety, and empowerment classes to build resilience and mental strength.”
Q: Would you recommend V Certs to others? If yes, why?
A: “I’d recommend this qualification to any students who want to enhance their personal skills and academic performance. The course’s focus on holistic development, practical experience and social skills provides students with a brilliant opportunity to progress in their future careers, when the door to progression may not always be open. Following the volunteering opportunity, two of our students who’ve completed the course have applied for Sports Massage courses, and one student is even looking into joining the Fire Service in Saint Lucia.
“To see students grow in confidence throughout the year, learn how to speak in front of a room full of people, and deliver CPR is inspiring to see as an educator. With this qualification, students who haven’t always had the best experience in higher education can experience something different whilst being in a diverse environment and progress towards a fulfilling career in Uniformed Public Services.”
If you're looking to make a significant impact in the Uniformed Public Services field, our V Cert Technical Award qualifications combine practical learning with real-world opportunities. Find out more.
Centre profile
Name: Leeds City College
Qualification: Uniformed Public Services V Cert
Pictured: A Leeds City College student in St Lucia
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