The Diploma in Public Services

Thinking about taking a Diploma in Public Services? Then I'm sure that you have loads of questions and ideas flying around your head and have had other people's opinions thrown into the pot.

There are many different sections on this website so if your parents and teachers have questions of their own they can find the answers on their own pages on the site and we also have Frequently Asked Questions which should help everyone get the answers they're looking for.

The Diploma in Public Services can be used in so many ways to help you into a career or help you to decide what further education path you want to take.

First things first, what do we mean when we refer to Public Services? It is a really wide subject that covers a great number of interesting careers and learning opportunities. There are 5.5 million people involved in the Public Services sector so plenty of different options for you to investigate. It's not just office based work which some people can find a bit boring but includes:

• The Fire, Emergency and Police Services,
• Education, museums and libraries
• The Health Service
• The Armed Forces and
• Local and National Government including the Ministry of Defence.

Don't forget that Public Services are not just within the government, there are job opportunities within private businesses, like Virgin, and the voluntary sector, such as working for a charity like Shelter. Specific jobs include:

• Administrator,
• Court Usher,
• Soldier,
• Police Officer,
• Bank/Building Society Customer Advisor,
• Crown Prosecution Caseworker,
• Lab. Technician and
• RAF Officer..
• and that's only a few of the options.

You get to see and do what you are being taught rather than just being talked at all the time. Work placements and field trips make up a part of your study but not exclusively - you'll still have classroom-based lessons, research and projects to present so you'll have the chance to learn in the way that suits you best. Placements and field trips would be with representative of the Public Services so you know that you'll be getting first hand, up to date information. One of the biggest pluses is that you will get to see why you're learning what you're learning and how it's going to help you throughout life.

It might be a bit scary to be thinking about life and career paths, especially when you're in Year 9, but don't forget that Diplomas have been designed to be flexible. You can do your GCSEs and then pick up the Advanced level Diploma in Public Services after Year 11 and get the equivalent of 3.5 A-levels. You can start at level one and decide to change your focus and move onto GCSEs. Once you've chosen the Diploma you're not 'stuck with it' until you leave school, there are many times when you can change the qualifications to suit you and the way you learn. As the Diploma in Public Services is so broad and can be applied to so many aspects of life and work you should find that it gives you many skills that employers and universities are interested in, like team working/leadership skills, good communication and problem solving. You also have the comfort of knowing that with the Diploma in Public Services you are learning relevant skills and knowledge for your future - it won't be a case of learning some topics that will affect you and some that won't. All Diploma learners will have the English, Maths and ICT skills required to support modern needs. The Diploma is made up of three different levels which can follow on from each other or be taken separately, and at the same time as GCSEs and A-Levels.

We have been consulting with employers and higher education institutions to make sure that the Diploma in Public Services meets their needs and expectations but also to make sure that the Diploma is of the highest quality. This means that they have had direct input on what topics need to be looked at, how much time should be spent in the classroom and how they will include Diplomas in their selection processes. Universities have told us how they will accept the points from the Diplomas and employers have told us the skills that they need to fill the gaps that they have and have mentioned the need for more managers throughout the industry. All this information is incorporated in the Diploma in Public Services as well as general skills that you will be able to apply in so many aspects of your future.

Some ideas have come in to us through talks with young people aged 14-18. We would really appreciate your thoughts on whether you would find some of their suggestions useful. As you're the one considering the Public Services Diploma it would be great to have your opinions on what you think will be good.

Any responses to these ideas and any thoughts of your own would be great to see, feel free to email us, info@publicservicesdiploma.co.uk|.

So far young people have said:

'If you did one of those [Diploma] you'd know more what you'd want to do after school'. Year 11 student

'Just sitting there writing is boring, especially if you're doing it day after day'. Year 11 student when asked about current learning styles.

'If I'd had the change to go to college, I'd definitely have done it because it'd have been different'. Year 11 student

'Speaking and listening is important because in almost all Public Services jobs need to be able to communicate with people'. Year 11 student

'I like the idea of a Public Services Diploma and think it will appeal to quite a few peopleIt will cater for a variety of tastes, learning styles and career interestsIt will allow us to keep our options open'. Army Cadet