Students investigate career options at police event
Secondary school students from Lancashire were given an in-depth insight into careers relating to crime, investigation and the law as part of an outreach event held in Lancaster.
Organised by Lancaster University, 40 Year 10 and 11 pupils from across the county joined together to participate in a series of activities designed to help them uncover the opportunities available to them after leaving school.
It was supported by Future U, a collaborative programme which creates opportunities for young people in Lancashire in order to increase rates of progression onto higher education.
The initiative, which also had input from Lancashire Police Constabulary, Lancaster and Morecambe College, the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and the University of Cumbria, aimed to demonstrate the variety of careers offered in these areas in addition to the available pathways.
A staged car accident scenario enabled students to understand the procedures and responsibilities of those working in the sectors, in addition to a visit to Lancaster Castle where they experienced a mock trial and were tasked with dealing with simulated crime scenes.
Jake Brown, Outreach Officer at Lancaster University, said: “It was great to see the students interacting with the various scenarios and making the most of the opportunity to ask questions and explore their career options. They really enjoyed the experience and have had their eyes opened to the range of pathways available to them.”
Shabir Nazir, project lead at Future U, said: “Finishing secondary school is a significant stage in a young person’s life, and it can quite often seem overwhelming. By making young people more aware of the varied opportunities and career paths out there we can help them to make important decisions about their futures.”