Services students pass out with pride
HUNDREDS of Hopwood Hall College’s Uniformed Public Services students have had their Passing Out ceremony.
The parade acts as a send-off for final year students moving into careers in uniformed services or university, or progressing on to another level at the college.
Guests included the mayor, Councillor Mohammed Zaman, the Fusiliers, the families of the students, former students who have joined the uniformed services or gone on to university and many senior uniformed services officials.
Some 200 students marched onto the parade ground accompanied by a military marching band at the Middleton campus of the college.
Guests watched student displays showcasing the skills they had learnt whilst on the course, including their famous drill exercise.
Mike Bruns, UPS programme manager, said: “Our Passing Out Parade is a symbol of our learners’ hard work throughout the academic year.
“The staff and the students have traditionally celebrated their achievements in this way as Hopwood Hall College has a high percentage of students who progress into careers in uniformed services.
“This was in evidence by the representation of past students, the Army and Royal Navy, the RNLI and the Fire Service on the day.”
The Uniformed Public Services department at Hopwood Hall College prepares young people for work in a wide range of public services, including the emergency services, the Forces, the Prison Service or HM Customs and Excise.
Courtney Coverley, now a fire service apprentice, said: “Being in the fire service is always something I wanted to do from a young age, so joining Hopwood Hall UPS was the best step I could take towards doing this.
“Before coming to college I had always been quite shy, the UPS course helped me grow as an individual and gain the confidence I need to move towards my career goal.”
Louie Thomas, now a Royal Marine Commando, added: “The course prepared me both physically and mentally for my dream job as a Royal Marine Commando.
“The units I studied also gave me the knowledge to excel above my colleagues. The staff always had a lot of confidence in me. Now I wear my Green Beret with pride.”
‘Our Passing Out Parade is a symbol of our learners’ hard work throughout the academic year’