4:27pm Wednesday 10th August 2005
A LOCAL college is helping the police recruit more officers from Indian, Pakistani and Caribbean backgrounds.
In a new partnership programme led by the Met Police's Positive Action Team, the College of NW London, which has a Wembley Park campus, was one of only four London colleges chosen for a pilot scheme to help and encourage applicants from minority groups.
Last October, 14 students half of them women - were selected for the first "Opening the Door" course which ran as a 12-week evening class.
The course helped students develop their skills in role-play participation, interview techniques and discussing a variety of public service issues, as well as in improving English and maths skills.
All but one of the students went on to make a formal application to join the police, and at least half of them have so far been successful in the first stage of their application.
The college is planning to run a second course in October.
Deputy head of faculty Amy Eames said CNWL was the only college in north and west London to run the course.
She said: "CNWL is delighted to be one of only four London Colleges running this course, which offers such scope for community links and service. We are serving not only the Police as a local employer, but also all Brent residents.
"Recruitment is by application to the Met Police initially, who screen for basic requirements, and give detailed information about the full process of applying for their recruitment tests.
"The college then tests for English and Maths at assessment sessions. All participants must be British citizens, and have no criminal record."
For more information, see www.cnwl.ac.uk, or call 020 8208 5050.
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