The 22 students will be working at Derby Arena over the coming months as part of their study programme to gain work experience and an insight into some of the roles within the emergency services.
The work experience project is in partnership with Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust and Glenn Newton, Deputy Site Lead at the Covid Vaccination Centre welcomed the students’ input.
He said: “Here at the Derby Covid Vaccination Centre, we are making a real difference in response to the pandemic and volunteers play a vital part in making history for the population health of Derbyshire.
“We have invited the Public Services students from Derby College to gain work experience and the knowledge from all profession’s involved in the vaccination programme, to support their qualification and career choices of our future workforce.”
Public Services Team Manager Nick Ramsden said: “We are extremely grateful to Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust for giving our students this opportunity.
“Work experience is a vital part of the Public Services study programme but opportunities have been curtailed due to the pandemic.
“Not only will this give them first hand experience of important marshalling duties but it will also enable them to make a positive contribution to the county’s Covid-19 response.”
This was echoed by three of the students involved who all have their sights set on a career in the police.
Maisie Hartshorn (17) from Kirk Hallam said: “I’m excited to gain work experience, especially within marshalling as it will help me gain experience of working with the public in preparation for applying to the police.”
Caitlyn Nastasia Fazekas (18) from Chaddesden continued: “I want to join the police service so this is important work experience of supporting local communities.”
Jack Smith (17) from Kilburn concluded: “This is an amazing opportunity and I know it will be incredibly rewarding to help the public in this very important vaccination programme.”
