Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has recently joined the board of Bishop Auckland College to support its work in developing a new generation of criminal justice workers and uniformed service professionals as well as facilitating a wide variety of volunteering, employment and training opportunities.
Last month, she took part in a round table discussion with students at the college, as part of her commitment to National Colleges Week 2024.
The students, some of whom are studying Public Services and Criminology courses, heard the Commissioner explain why further education is vital in securing a vibrant workforce and economy.
The Commissioner explained that colleges such as Bishop Auckland provide essential training enabling the workforce of the future to secure appropriate qualifications for their chosen careers.
The County Durham and Darlington PCC has worked in partnership with the further education college since her election in 2021, speaking at crime prevention events alongside neighbourhood officers to increase engagement between the police, residents and students and supporting its efforts to promote volunteering and training opportunities in the criminal justice sector in line with her Police and Crime Plan priority.
Speaking of her appointment, Commissioner Allen said: “Further education is critical if we are to help our economy to grow. Young people need our support and guidance as they strive to become fully fledged members of the country’s workforce, contributing to future economic stability.
“That’s why I’m delighted to join the Bishop Auckland College Board. I have worked closely with college staff throughout my term and really value the support they have shown for my plans to make County Durham and Darlington safer, stronger and more resilient to crime and anti-social behaviour.
“I look forward to supporting the college’s continued growth and development as it prepares the young people of this county for their future careers.”
The Commissioner fully supported the launch of a new degree course at Bishop Auckland College in 2022 designed to prepare students for careers in the criminal justice system.
The BA (Hons) degree in Sociology and Criminology, validated by the Open University, is suitable for anyone considering roles including policing, probation services, youth work and rehabilitation.
It followed the launch of a Level 3 in Criminology and Policing and covers modules including criminological theory, forensic psychology, social inequalities and social science research.
She also previously contributed matched-funding to the college to undertake vulnerability testing of its IT systems and websites to determine its risk of a cyber attack in a joint project she delivers alongside the North East Business Resilience Centre (NEBRC). The programme brings together experts from policing, academic and the private sector to help educational institutions understand and respond to the threats of cybercrime.
The college’s Criminology and Public Services department works closely with Durham Constabulary and other uniformed services as part of the curriculum, arranging a host of simulated training experiences to give students a taste of the real-life incidents they could attend while working in the emergency services.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
