A PUBLIC services student at Barnsley College achieved his dream career by becoming a police officer for Greater Manchester Police after fleeing his place of birth when a civil war broke out.
Aland Jawhar came to the UK with his younger brother as an asylum seeker, after completing a dangerous journey from Iraq, where he lost contact with his parents and has been unable to locate them since.
This meant that Aland, from being just 19 years old, hhad to support his younger brother and work hard to ensure they have a secure future.
Showing resilience and hard work, Aland passed both his GCSE English and maths qualifications and is on track to pass his Level 3 Access to Higher Education Criminal Justice and Policing Studies course.
Aland volunteered with the Red Cross and Barnsley Council to share his experience and help refugees meet each other, develop friendships and feel more confident in accessing the community.
He has also been shortlisted for the Johnston Award for Outstanding Achievement in Public Services at the college’s Excellence Awards.
Aland said: “The support from Barnsley College and the tutors have been amazing.
“I have been part of a broken education system in Iraq, and seeing the difference has been eye opening.
“The college has provided me with the skills, experience and knowledge to complete my police constable degree apprenticeship.
“It was a childhood dream of mine to become a police officer.
“I have always wanted to give back by supporting others, being in the police will enable me to support people when they need it the most.”
