Leigh Middleton is a Prison Officer at HMP Dartmoor in Devon and, with support and help from POA Learning, has been developing his career and has achieved a promotion at the prison.

Leigh has been a keen supporter of the courses offered by POA Learning ever since the unionlearn funded POA Learning Centre initially opened in April 2010.

Leigh has recently completed his level 2 NVQ in Team Leading Knowledge via Leicester College. Following this Leigh has been successful in obtaining a promotion to Supervising Officer, a role where his POA Learning initiated skill will be put to best effect both in dealing with staff and offenders in his day to day duties.

The courses that Leigh has been able to access through POA Learning and the union learning centre at HMP Dartmoor have been really helpful. Leigh is a regular at the Dartmoor Learning Centre having also completed ADHD Awareness and Basic Sign Language with Bev Nolker & Gareth Williams from the Eastchurch Centre, all essential learning that will add strength to Leigh’s work place skills set and overall competence.

Leigh would recommend the courses that POA Learning offer to others with an interest in developing their skills and increasing their learning opportunities.

Leigh said

The contents of the course are very helpful to anyone thinking of looking to progress within the prison service. 

POA Learning have reignited my enthusiasm for learning. The support and guidance offered by both POA learning staff at HMP Dartmoor and Leicester College has been excellent."

HMP Dartmoor POA Learning Centre Manager, Andy Harding commented:

Leigh is a shining example of a colleague who has taken advantage of what POA Learning has to offer employees over many years and has turned his learning into advancement in the workplace."