STUDENTS from a Dorchester college have been put through their paces by the Royal Navy.

Military preparation students from Kingston Maurward College spent three days in hands on training with the Royal Navy at the Royal Navy Air Station in Yeovilton.

Students got the chance to take part in a range of activities across the service including air traffic control, radar, the Met Office, fire station and helicopter training.

Students even got to enjoy a forty minute ride through Somerset and Dorset and even go to see Kingston Maurward College from the air.

The day provides invaluable experience to students with half of them on the course intending to go in to the army and the other half the Royal Navy.

It provides insight and experience prior to the individual selection process.

Kingston Maurward is the only college in the UK offering military work experience and the Royal Navy also provides support to facilitate the course.

One of the students on the course, Amelia Sims, said that it was a worthwhile day for her and provided important information.

She said: “I had already decided to pursue a career in the Royal Navy so this training was really informative for me.

“I also got the chance to speak to a female warfare specialist – which is what I want to do – so it was really useful to find out from her perspective how the role is for women in the Royal Navy – it gave me great insight and reassured me that it’s what I want to do.”

Military preparation course tutor, Ryan Evans, described the experience as invaluable.

He said: “This is a one off opportunity for the students to get a better understanding of jobs in the Royal Navy and one that we couldn’t pass up – it’s priceless in terms of helping them make decisions about their future.”

The course is designed to give students a clear insight in to military life and the necessary skills needed.

It focuses on team building, military skills, fitness training and outdoor adventure pursuits – helping people to get fit, work better in a team and improve confidence.

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