Level 3 Military and Public Services (MaPS) Training Development

Course Level: Level 3 Course Duration: 2 years Days at College 5.5 (includes Saturday mornings) Course Description

This unique combination of Military Skills + Academic Achievement + Life Skills gained during the course will provide all successful students with an excellent stepping stone to either the military, public services, further education or wider employment.

Based at the stunning location of Bicton College with its excellent facilities and close proximity to the Devon Coast, Woodbury Common, Dartmoor and the City of Exeter, the Military and Public Services (MaPS) programme is a unique 25 week residential preparation course designed to provide young people interested in a career in the Military and the Public Services with the essential skills, environment and resources, to ensure the best possible preparation for both the rigorous entry process and then successful completion of training in their chosen career.

The course has 3 main objectives:

a. To prepare students for a life in the military or uniformed public services by providing a structured, disciplined and realistic platform whilst at the same time softening the important transition from Civilian life to a level of independence which best prepares you for a life in the Uniformed public services.

b. To complete a BTEC in uniform public services at Levels 2 or 3 along with a minimum of functional skills Level 1 in English and Maths (minimum entry for the military).

c. Conduct individual development training throughout the course by providing study and organisational skills, outdoor education to promote team work, ethos and resourcefulness, whilst importantly introducing students to the Armed Forces Careers Office and Uniformed Public Service recruitment teams at both the start of the course to set individual goals and then at the end of the course to help pave the way into your chosen field.

Entry Requirements

5 GCSEs at grades A-C (or BTEC equivalent) including English, Maths or Science. You will also need to have a good level of fitness.

What You Will Study

Academic Modules:
A sample of the type of Public Service modules you will study are listed below:Public service skills

• Career planning for the public services Improving health and fitness for entry to the uniformed public services
• Employment in the uniformed public services
• Adventure activities and teamwork for the public services
• Sport and recreation for the public services
• Expedition skills in public services

Students who are successfully selected for the programme will not be obliged to commit to an Armed Forces career; although you are likely to have an interest in joining the Armed Forces on completion of the Academy programme. To join the Military Academy, candidates will have to demonstrate a strong commitment to developing yourselves both personally and academically.

The military Syllabus will be progressive and will cover the following subjects:

• PT – Steady progression geared towards individuals reaching standard for entry into Military or Public Service of choice.
• Drill – To develop bearing and discipline and co ordination.
• Weapon Training – To develop weapon awareness and practical skills in prep for Military service.
• Basic communications and voice procedure training.
• Resource and initiative (adventure) training.
• Field craft – To develop individual skills to cope with outdoor life culminating in a final field craft test incorporating PT tests and navigation.
• Map reading/Navigation – By day and night culminating in a team.
• Endurance march on Dartmoor.
• Survival skills – to develop resilience and mental toughness.
• Personal administration – To develop life skills such husbandry, management and time management.
• Personal development training including presentation technique, interview technique, financial management and forward planning.
• Develop teamwork, ethos and core values.
• First aid training.

Assessment
Assessment for most modules is through a combination of practical and written assessments based on the grading criteria laid down by the awarding body. Fitness assessments are incorporated throughout the programme, and there will also be periodic progress tests each term and final assessments for the military module in the last term of the course.

Rewarding Achievement
It is essential to encourage a high standard throughout the course and reward achievement therefore the Military and Public Services Academy will be awarding a number of achievement and training prizes both during and on completion of the course. The most significant award will be a “Sword of Honour” presented to the student who has been unanimously recommended by both the Academy Instructors and fellow students as having made the most outstanding contribution during the course.

They will be judged against the key values expected by all students during the course which are:

Respect, Courage, Determination, Unselfishness, Cheerfulness, Fortitude and Humility.

The Sword of Honour will be awarded by the Principal at the end of the initial 25 week course and was graciously presented to Bicton College by Warrant Officer First Class Richard Jenkins Royal Marines.

Course development
Students will gain early contact (week 3 careers fair at the college) with local Armed forces Careers Officers and other uniformed public Service careers teams to establish goals and levels of attainment required for entry into training and provide the best chances of success in training. A follow up visit from AFCO and PS careers teams will then be programmed in last part of course to start entry process for those who wish to. Strong links – to ease the pathway.

All students will also be offered the opportunity to enter the Duke of Edinburgh award programme during the course. Level 2 – will be offered Bronze or silver (due to shorter time) and Level 3 the chance to attain the gold award.

What Next?

The initial 25 week Academic/Military prep residential module forms the foundation of the course for level 2 and 3 students. The routines for Level 2 and 3 Students after this foundation module finishes are as follows:

Level 2 - Students on completion of the foundation module can either;
a. Follow the entry process into one of the military or public services
b. Remain in education on a higher level course or
c. Pursue employment in another area with the skills gained form the course

Level 3 - Students on completion of the foundation subsidiary module can either;
a. Follow the entry process into one of the military or public services
b. Continue on to complete the full diploma (1 year) and/or ideally the extended diploma (2 years). This will give you the opportunity for a higher entry level into the Military or public service but also potentially pave the way to a degree course.

Example of a pathway following GCSEs:
A sixteen year old leaves school with a good set of GCSEs and wants to join the Police force. The police are unlikely to let you join until you are 21 as they require experience and maturity, so what do you do to best fill the time and pursue your ambition? A good option would be to enrol on the 2 year MaPS Level 3 course from which you will achieve the equivalent of 3 A Levels and the related UCAS points. You can go on to university and study eg Criminology and Law. Then on completion of the 3 year degree (you are now 21) you can now apply for the police with all the correct qualifications, life skills and experience to be an outstanding candidate for entry particularly if you have already established the link with the police during your time at Bicton.

Each academic level you achieve will open up more opportunities and give greater choice of entry level and courses when entering the Military or Public Services.

NB: Level 3 students on completion of the initial 25 week module have the choice of remaining in residential accommodation (for those who have greater distances to travel) or travel daily for more local students.

If you would like more information about the course, please contact the Military and Public Services Academy Section Leader, Dai Phillips MBE, Maj RM (Ret) - Telephone: 01395 562371 or email: dai.phillips@bicton.ac.uk / MaPS@bicton.ac.uk

How To Apply