A WEST Yorkshire Police officer visited a training centre to celebrate the conclusion of a three-week course to inspire people to join the force.

Police Sergeant Richard Bedford visited The Skills Hub, based at The Holme Centre at Holme United Reformed Church, to congratulate those who had completed the programme.

Leading training provider Realise worked alongside West Yorkshire Police and Bradford Eastbrook Court Job Centre to deliver the Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs). The course was designed to prepare individuals to become either Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) or Contact Officers

Ten people completed the course, with one already appointed as a new PCSO and others going through the vetting process to work as Contact Officers.

Dan Goodall, operations director in adult learning at Realise, said: “We were delighted to welcome Sergeant Bedford to The Skills Hub to congratulate the learners on completing the course.

“West Yorkshire Police has been proactively involved in the course as the force seeks to attract people from the local area who understand the communities they will serve.”

The course looked at various aspects of working within the police including personal development, working in a team, mental health awareness, equality and diversity, cyber security and understanding the application process.

There were specific learning modules for the two job roles to ensure learners could progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.

Dan added: “It’s another way for people to access roles which might have seemed beyond their reach.

“Those that are appointed will progress to an apprenticeship within the force, which will set them up well for a successful career within the police.”

The course, at the Holme Wood Skills Hub, was held just a mile away from the Force Contact Unit based at Dudley Hill Police Station, where 999 and 101 calls are handled.

The Skills Hub was launched by Realise last year and was made possible through the Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, and West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s £64 million devolved budget to help adults in some of the most disadvantaged areas of West Yorkshire to access the training they need to get a job and further their career.

Courses delivered include English and maths functional skills, digital skills and adult social care.

Dan said: “The Skills Hub is already delivering on its aim to support the people of Bradford and the surrounding areas to gain new skills which will help them either out of unemployment and into a job or out of low paid work and into sustainable, long-term employment.”

For more information, visit realisetraining.com