New qualification for teenagers looking to join the Police

Teenagers looking to pursue a career with the Police will soon be able to gain valuable experience through a cutting edge new Diploma.

The new Diploma in Public Services will give young people an insight into the reality of working in the Police Force and other branches of the public sector, aiming to equip students with skills they can apply to the next stage of their development at university, college or in the work place.

Studying modules like Protecting Society, Leadership & Management, Health & Wellbeing and Strengthening Communities, the Diploma in Public Services will educate young people in the context of the Police, ensuring that they are prepared for the working world. Available in selected regions from September 2010, it will be rolled out throughout England by September 2013.

Lis Martin, Partnership Lead for the Diploma in Public Services at Skills for Justice, who are responsible for developing this Diploma, said: "The Diploma in Public Services is exactly what the public sector has been crying out for - a qualification that will channel enthusiastic young people into the many fantastic careers on offer in the sector. The Diploma will provide a new lease of life to the sector and will ensure that employees of the future are well equipped with relevant knowledge to prepare them for work."

The Diploma in Public Services is part of the Government's flagship reforms of 14-19 education, the biggest shake up of education since the introduction of the National Curriculum. Any young person with a Diploma will have a fully rounded education, having reached the required standard in maths, English, ICT, personal development skills and sector-related subjects.

Diplomas combine classroom study with hands-on learning in a practical environment, without losing the standard set by existing qualifications; the Foundation Diploma is equivalent to five GCSEs grades D-G, a Higher Diploma is broadly equivalent to seven GCSEs grade A*-C and an Advanced Diploma is broadly the same as three-and-a-half A-levels.

For further information on the Diploma in Public Services please visit

www.diplomainpublicservices.co.uk