What is it?

Public services include the emergency services, armed forces and other uniformed services such as HM Revenue and Customs, coast guard, Prison Service and private security services.

For advice about employment in the police and justice sector go to Skills for Jusitice the employer-led, government sponsored organisation for this sector.

For advice about employment in the emeregency services sector go to Skills for health  the employer-led, government sponsored organisation for this sector.

For advice about employment in the central governement sector go to Government Skills the employer-led, government sponsored organisation for this sector. 

Facts and figures

Intake of personnel to the Armed Forces from civilian life stood at 26,280 in 2002; 12% were female. 63% of all entrants joined the Army, 20% the Naval Service and 17% the Royal Air Force.

Source: South East Coast Ambulance Service / Sussex Police / Office for National Statistics / HMPS Annual Report 2006/07    

Higher education qualifications suitable for the sector

• foundation degrees / HNDs such as Public and Emergency Services Management
• postgraduate degrees such as Masters in Public Administration, MBA Public Service Management

Go to Key Routes to compare qualifications and routes into higher education for the Police, Army, Ambulance service/paramedic and Local government and use the Information Sheets at the bottom of this page. 

Here we are focusing on higher education but there are many other qualifications and routes to study available including NVQs, Apprenticeships and BTEC awards. Talk to your local college or private training provider about what's available.

Where to study

Courses differ from place to place... institutions normally develop and teach their own courses so the content and focus of each course can be very different. It pays to shop around!

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