The Royal Engineers Reserves visited our Level 1, 2 and 3 Policing students to provide information and advice to our learners. The Policing groups had the opportunity to ask the soldiers about Army life and how a reservist life can fit around a policing lifestyle.
The students were in the Lecture Theatre for a presentation for the first session and then in the Sports Hall for a round robin of activities for the second session. The first activity allowed students to have a further talk about the British Army, not just the reserves. Students also had the opportunity to try on some CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear) kit. This is the PPE that will keep soldiers safe from an attack named above. Another activity included an opportunity to use the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) equipment that the engineers use to search for IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) when on exercise.
This was an opportunity for students to speak with industry experts to get an understanding of what Army life as a Reservist is like and get hands on insight to what training and opportunities could be offered, building a relationship with the local regiment.
The local regiment were looking to recruit and to inform the community about their role. From this a big event where all our learners spoke with the soldiers, try their kit on and ask questions to industry professionals, was organised. Additionally, Alumni Luke Neal who studied Level 1, 2 and 3 Uniformed Services at North Kent College, accompanied the Reserves as he is currently going through the application process of joining The Royal Engineers Reserves. Luke offered key insights for the students around the application process and his experience after college.
Metin Terlemez, Lecturer in Public Services, said ‘This has been the second time we have run this event for our students, and it was just as good as the first. The students have been able to see what Army life is like as both a reservist and a regular soldier. There was quite a bit of interest from our Policing group as they were unaware that they were able to be both a Police Officer and an Army Reservist. This event has opened up the employability options for all groups.’
