STUDENTS from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s (UWTSD) Criminology and Policing course in Swansea participated in an immersive joint training exercise with Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MWWFRS) at their Earlswood Training Unit in Jersey Marine. This collaboration offered the students a valuable, hands-on experience, bridging academic learning with real-world emergency response scenarios.
Throughout the training exercise, which was led by lecturer Melanie Thomas, students engaged directly with emergency service professionals, gaining insights into the critical collaboration needed between agencies at the scene of an incident. The experience allowed them to put their academic knowledge and skills to the test in a simulated but realistic environment, reinforcing the practical applications of their studies.
Dr Bronwen Williams, Academic Director for Law, Criminology, and Policing at UWTSD, highlighted the importance of such initiatives, adding: “It is an essential part of our programme here at UWTSD to ensure that students embarking on a professional career are provided with opportunities to engage with employers during their studies.
“This enables them to gain a deeper insight into their chosen profession from both an academic and practical perspective. UWTSD is grateful to Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service for providing our students with these invaluable learning opportunities.”
Chris Coles, Deputy Head of Training for MWWFRS emphasised the value of the exercise for both students and fire service personnel.
“It is a pleasure to welcome students from the UWTSD Criminology and Policing course to the MWWFRS training venue in Earlswood to undertake some realistic scenario-based training.
“The event provides a great opportunity for fire service personnel and the students alike to better understand each other’s roles in a shared learning environment, building and fostering excellent working relationships that are vital to delivering an effective multi-agency emergency response.”
The collaboration underscores UWTSD’s commitment to integrating practical learning experiences into its academic programmes, equipping students with the knowledge and practical insights essential for their future careers in policing and criminology. MWWFRS’s dedication to training excellence and fostering partnerships with educational institutions plays a vital role in preparing the next generation of public safety professionals.
