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Public Services Diploma – Level 3

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Group shot of all Public Services students and staff on field outside of Tamworth College
Courses Code
QF3PS
Study method
Full Time
Location(s)
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  • Is this course for you?

    This course is for you if you want an introduction to the requirements of a career in the Public Services such as Police, Armed Services, Ambulance, Prison, Fire & Rescue or HM Customs & Excise. The course provides a detailed overview of the skills and helps you to develop the mental and physical abilities required in your chosen career.

  • Required qualifications

    • 4 GCSEs at Grades A-C / 4-9 including English or maths, OR
    • Level 2 qualification in a related subject
    • Good standard of English and maths
    • Mature learners with other qualifications and/or experience are also welcomed
    • You should have a strong interest in working in the public services and demonstrate a commitment to succeed

    Physical requirements

    You will be required to take part in practical and fitness sessions both indoors and outdoors. No particular standard of personal fitness is required at the commencement of the course, rather a positive attitude towards developing it.

  • What skills will I develop?

    This course is an exciting mix of physical activity, classroom learning, special visits and trips.

    This course is run over 1 or 2 years. Year 1 focuses on core units and developing key skills learners require for progression into the services. Learners can progress on to Year 2 provided they have met the necessary standards where they will study more specialist units to further support them and also help in progression to employment or University.

    You will also be enrolled on the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme at Silver level as well as gaining nationally recognised First Aid At Work qualifications. The course also involves a residential visit where learners are assessed for some practical units.

    During the course you will find out about the different functions and careers in the public services sector and we will provide opportunities for you to make applications and progress into your chosen career or into Higher Education.

    The core units are:

    • Prepare for a Career in a Chosen Uniformed Service
    • Develop Aspects of Physical Fitness for Entry to the Uniformed Services
    • Develop Leadership Skills
    • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

    The specialist units may include:

    • Uniformed Services Hierarchy and Routine
    • The Influence of UK Government, International Organisations and the Media on the Uniformed Services
    • Understand the Impact of War and Conflict on Uniformed Services
    • Skills for Water-Based Outdoor and Adventurous Activities
    • Understanding Discipline in the Uniformed Services
    • Crime Scene Investigation
    • Skills for Land-Based Outdoor and Adventurous Activities
    • Carry Out Map Reading and Navigation Across Open Country
    • Security Procedures in the Uniformed Services
    • Understand Conflict Management and Personal Protection
    • UK Legal Systems and Uniformed Services
    • Mental and Physical Wellbeing
    • Values and Standards
    • Outdoor and Adventurous Expeditions
  • Careers

    The Public and Uniformed Services Industries currently offers over 9,000 jobs within the West Midlands with an average salary of £21,023.

    On completion of the L3 qualification you will have developed the required skills/UCAS points to support you in higher education. You could explore apprenticeships opportunities or degrees programmes within Policing or the Ambulance Service. Alternatively, you could look to pursue alternative/other specialist degrees with a view of broadening your knowledge base, experiences and career opportunities. This would also strength applications and opportunities to pursue careers within the Fire or Prison service.

    In addition, there are enhanced opportunities to apply for apprenticeship roles in HM Forces on at officer level on completion of the Level 3 course

  • Work experience

    All courses within the college require learners to complete work experience to further develop their skills, to support them in their chosen career. A minimum of 40 hours must be completed across the year in a placement agreed with your tutor. Some of these hours will be achieved by attending trips and visits with your course to learn more about the varied options of careers available in the public services.

    DofE – As part of your DofE you will also be required to complete a Volunteering placement which you need to complete outside of your college days. This a minimum of 1 hour per week over the time period agreed with your tutor.

  • English and maths

    All learners who have not achieved a grade 4 in English and maths will be required to attend these lessons as part of their weekly timetable to support them in retaking their GCSE.

    If you have achieved above these grades, although you will not attend formal lessons, English and maths skills are still developed in your Public Services lessons. These will be used to support you with written skills to help with assignment writing and also speaking and listening to support in the varied assessment methods used on the course, including discussions and presentations. Maths skills are also developed to support learners with map reading and analysis data including crime statistics.

  • Other important information

    A uniform is required to participate in this course. Prices and details will be discussed at enrolment. Bursary funds may be available to help with additional costs. High standards of uniform are expected and are inspected regularly.

    Learners will have the opportunity to participate in a number of trips whilst on the course. Costings will be shared by tutors per trip.

    There will also include a residential trip in year 1 which in previous years has costed approximately £200.

  • Is this course for you?

    This course is for you if you want an introduction to the requirements of a career in the Public Services such as Police, Armed Services, Ambulance, Prison, Fire & Rescue or HM Customs & Excise. The course provides a detailed overview of the skills and helps you to develop the mental and physical abilities required in your chosen career.

  • Required qualifications

    • 4 GCSEs at Grades A-C / 4-9 including English or maths, OR
    • Level 2 qualification in a related subject
    • Good standard of English and maths
    • Mature learners with other qualifications and/or experience are also welcomed
    • You should have a strong interest in working in the public services and demonstrate a commitment to succeed

    Physical requirements

    You will be required to take part in practical and fitness sessions both indoors and outdoors. No particular standard of personal fitness is required at the commencement of the course, rather a positive attitude towards developing it.

  • What skills will I develop?

    This course is an exciting mix of physical activity, classroom learning, special visits and trips.

    This course is run over 1 or 2 years. Year 1 focuses on core units and developing key skills learners require for progression into the services. Learners can progress on to Year 2 provided they have met the necessary standards where they will study more specialist units to further support them and also help in progression to employment or University.

    You will also be enrolled on the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme at Silver level as well as gaining nationally recognised First Aid At Work qualifications. The course also involves a residential visit where learners are assessed for some practical units.

    During the course you will find out about the different functions and careers in the public services sector and we will provide opportunities for you to make applications and progress into your chosen career or into Higher Education.

    The core units are:

    • Prepare for a Career in a Chosen Uniformed Service
    • Develop Aspects of Physical Fitness for Entry to the Uniformed Services
    • Develop Leadership Skills
    • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

    The specialist units may include:

    • Uniformed Services Hierarchy and Routine
    • The Influence of UK Government, International Organisations and the Media on the Uniformed Services
    • Understand the Impact of War and Conflict on Uniformed Services
    • Skills for Water-Based Outdoor and Adventurous Activities
    • Understanding Discipline in the Uniformed Services
    • Crime Scene Investigation
    • Skills for Land-Based Outdoor and Adventurous Activities
    • Carry Out Map Reading and Navigation Across Open Country
    • Security Procedures in the Uniformed Services
    • Understand Conflict Management and Personal Protection
    • UK Legal Systems and Uniformed Services
    • Mental and Physical Wellbeing
    • Values and Standards
    • Outdoor and Adventurous Expeditions
  • Careers

    The Public and Uniformed Services Industries currently offers over 9,000 jobs within the West Midlands with an average salary of £21,023.

    On completion of the L3 qualification you will have developed the required skills/UCAS points to support you in higher education. You could explore apprenticeships opportunities or degrees programmes within Policing or the Ambulance Service. Alternatively, you could look to pursue alternative/other specialist degrees with a view of broadening your knowledge base, experiences and career opportunities. This would also strength applications and opportunities to pursue careers within the Fire or Prison service.

    In addition, there are enhanced opportunities to apply for apprenticeship roles in HM Forces on at officer level on completion of the Level 3 course

  • Work experience

    All courses within the college require learners to complete work experience to further develop their skills, to support them in their chosen career. A minimum of 40 hours must be completed across the year in a placement agreed with your tutor. Some of these hours will be achieved by attending trips and visits with your course to learn more about the varied options of careers available in the public services.

    DofE – As part of your DofE you will also be required to complete a Volunteering placement which you need to complete outside of your college days. This a minimum of 1 hour per week over the time period agreed with your tutor.

  • English and maths

    All learners who have not achieved a grade 4 in English and maths will be required to attend these lessons as part of their weekly timetable to support them in retaking their GCSE.

    If you have achieved above these grades, although you will not attend formal lessons, English and maths skills are still developed in your Public Services lessons. These will be used to support you with written skills to help with assignment writing and also speaking and listening to support in the varied assessment methods used on the course, including discussions and presentations. Maths skills are also developed to support learners with map reading and analysis data including crime statistics.

  • Other important information

    A uniform is required to participate in this course. Prices and details will be discussed at enrolment. Bursary funds may be available to help with additional costs. High standards of uniform are expected and are inspected regularly.

    Learners will have the opportunity to participate in a number of trips whilst on the course. Costings will be shared by tutors per trip.

    There will also include a residential trip in year 1 which in previous years has costed approximately £200.

Apply for a course

  • Uniformed Public Service Diploma NCFE Level 3 Yr 1 (FCFJ)

    Cannock College

    Start Date: September

    Code: QCF3PS-Y1

    Full Time: 32 Weeks

    Day(s): Usually 3-4 days per week

  • Uniformed Public Service Diploma NCFE Level 3 Yr 1 (FCFJ)

    Tamworth College

    Start Date: September

    Code: QTF3PS-Y1

    Full Time: 32 Weeks

    Day(s): Usually 3-4 days per week