Public services students take part in blue light challenge

Public services students at Coleg Sir Gâr have won second and fourth place in the Blue Light Challenge Day held and run by University of Wales Trinity Saint David at their Swansea waterfront campus.

The day welcomed six teams of year 12 students from various schools and colleges to compete against each other in a range of challenges.

The aim is to bring together students who are currently studying public services or who have a keen interest in studying professional policing, criminology or sport management.

Challenges were run by university lecturers and representatives from South Wales Police and consisted of a range of activities such as sports games, stop and searches and criminology tasks.  

This was followed by a Q&A session that supported students to question the many academics and service personnel present about courses and future career pathways.

Bronwen Williams, academic director of UWTSD’s Blue Light Academy, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome year 12 students to our Blue Light Academy Challenge day, bringing them onto campus to get a taste for university life and meet the academics and professionals from policing, criminology, and law.

“Students worked together to solve a murder mystery, got to grips with Stop and Search, and competed in sporting challenges. I’m glad we could answer their questions about courses and opportunities at UWTSD, and we are already looking forward to next year's challenge day.”

PC Aaron Biddiscombe from South Wales Police, who is also an alumnus of UWTSD, attended the event, and said: “The array of facilities at UWTSD are contemporary and impressive, and there were several opportunities for students to engage with staff, police officers and PCSOs. I and my colleagues were made to feel welcome, and we thoroughly enjoyed the event.”

Carolann Healy, public services lecturer at Coleg Sir Gâr said “This event has given our students an unique opportunity to discover and experience what university is like and what they can expect from UWTSD. The activities have been engaging and well thought out and has helped them with their team working and communication skills.  Our students have enjoyed their experience and are already looking forward to potentially studying here.”

Pictured are Coleg Sir Gâr public services teams – the green team who won second place and the yellow team who won fourth.