A former student of Solihull College & University Centre Watch Commander Martin Ward-White visited his former institution recently as a guest speaker to speak with students about the skills needed to be successful within their careers.
Martin, who now works for the West Midlands Fire Service as a Strategic Hub Team Leader, attended the College to complete his A Level qualifications in the early 2000’s before joining the Fire Service as a Firefighter and gaining his Masters with Distinction in Emergency Planning, Resilience & Response.
Martin spoke to students at the College who studied subjects including Public Services andBusiness & Management Degrees,explaining the importance of gaining their qualifications as Public Sector companies, including the Fire Service, are increasingly looking for employees who have a range of relevant qualifications in areas such as Strategic Management and Public Services. Martin added that in order to advance in the career of Public Services, employability and numeracy skills are important and a degree qualification is essential.
Students were able to learn about the history of the Fire Service, its future direction and that whilst the strategic aim of ‘Making West Midlands Safer’ has changed little over the years, the way in which West Midlands Fire Service achieves this aim has to reflect the environment the fire service now operates in. This environment and the challenges currently faced by the fire service can be applied to many companies in many sectors.
Many of the students present hope to follow a career in the Public Service industry and were able to learn from the expertise and knowledge of Martin who advised that although the West Midlands Fire Service is not currently recruiting for uniformed personnel, opportunities will exist in future, therefore students should use their time wisely to continue with their studies and gain academic qualifications and research skills which are becoming vital for a career within the Fire Service.
As a former student Martin commented on how Solihull College & University Centre has developed over recent years “The thing I notice most is how much the College has grown, not only physically but with the amount of courses now on offer.”
For more information on the courses available at Solihull College & University Centre including Business Degrees and Public Services visit the ‘Try It’ Open Day on Saturday 28th November or call 0121 678 7000.
