Carshalton College has a wealth of industry experts teaching learners including Chris Palmer, full time tutor on the Public Service team. Chris spent 29 years working in a variety of roles in the Army as an instructor, trainer and Sergeant before moving into teaching.

Chris’s varied career in the armed forces proves ample opportunities are available to travel the world. Chris joined the army at the age of 16 and after a year’s training including continuing his education with maths, English and army history study, Chris qualified as a Military Training Instructor. He then spent six years in Germany working in Gunnery, training Soldiers in physical training, weapons and first aid.

During his military experience, Chris took on the post as Ships Warrant Officer in support of the Royal Marines which allowed him to sail the seven seas, cross the equator twice, visit 49 countries, including the Far East, the Caribbean and the Arctic Circle. For 10 months he served in Kosovo as a Squadron Sergeant Major of 79 Railway Squadron. The variety of roles saw Chris teaching and training soldiers to be better soldiers, preparing them for promotion and varied alert states, and looking after their general well being.

In addition to teaching at the College, Chris is a very successful football coach where he coaches youth football to 16 to 19 year olds. During his time with Aldershot and Farnborough Youth Teams, 8 players have progressed onto join professional football teams.

Chris also works part time for a social enterprise called Not All Bad Training, working with ITVs Bad Lads Army Corporal Richard Nauyokas. The enterprise offer motivational training courses through mental, physical and self-awareness challenges aimed at encouraging participants to push themselves and recognise their full potential, whilst enhancing team spirit and increasing self-confidence. Chris helps deliver said workshops and extended training programmes within the judicial system working with young offenders and adult prisoners. The training includes building tolerance and confidence levels, marching drill develop self discipline, and command tasks to enhance teamwork and leadership skills. Chris hopes his experience with the Prison Service gives students a wider scope of what the opportunities available for them to join as officers and subsequently what will be expected of them.

The Public Services is a fantastic industry to enter with a variety of services to join. Carshalton College offers the BTEC Level 2 and BTEC Extended Diploma in Public Services learning by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands. All services have tough entry criteria and these Public Service Diplomas provide a great focus on leadership and team work to prepare students. With a range of activities outside the classroom to replicate what the careers will entail, students attend command and control sessions, receive visits from the Marines, join trips to Army Camps and Prisons and take part in a variety of land and water based sports activities.

The Diplomas teach students not to miss any opportunities and challenges their perceptions on what hard work can achieve. The Public Service Courses are lead by Course Leader Ian Widdowfield who served in the Royal Navy. Supported by Chris and the rest of the team, each add their wide range of experience, military and otherwise to the teaching.

Based on information supplied by Maxine Alexander.