Emergency services in Cornwall have launched a new course to teach young people lifesaving skills.

Ambulance, police and fire services have teamed up with Cornwall Council to deliver the '999 Academy Lite' programme.

The initiative was first established in 2011 with the aim of inspiring young people to create safer communities and is now being offered in a condensed version.

Originally an 18-month course, people aged between 16 and 19 can now learn lifesaving skills in a weeklong programme during school holidays.

It is being organised by a partnership between Devon and Cornwall Police, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and Cornwall Council's Youth Offending Service and Community Safety Team.

Chief Superintendent Jim Pearce, Devon and Cornwall Police's commander for Cornwall, said: "I have been very impressed with this new version of the 999 academy and can see the benefits.

"Those involved have learnt about how to protect and help the public in a very engaging way.

"Whether or not this becomes a full time career in the future for them is by the by, as this experience will help them impress any future employer. Well done to all involved.”

Rob Horton, responder manager for South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We wanted to create a balance between education and practical experiences with the students leaving the 999 Academy with some certificated skills but also with the ability to share their experiences with other young people and with potential employers, to blow them away with tales of learning to surf, triaging major medical emergencies, rescuing people from a smoke-filled room or being a team player learning bush craft skills.

“Previous courses have seen young people progress to train as full time paramedics, police officers, nurses and defence medics and this is wonderful to see the future heroes coming through into the emergency services.

“This joint emergency services’ 999 Academy programme is set up to inspire young people to become valued and respected members of our community whilst developing the transferable skills which employers and education providers are looking for on a CV.”

Cornwall Council’s youth offending service service manager Christine Walker-Booth said: “The 999 Academy is a marvellous example of partnership working with services coming together to provide exciting new experiences for young people. The programme has offered the students chances they would never have otherwise been able to access.

"They were offered opportunities to become involved in completely new situations that both challenged them and taught them new skills. These new found skills will enable them to face their future challenges with more resilience and confidence. Congratulations to all involved.”

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer (interim), Mark Hewitt said: “It was a pleasure to see the 999 Academy students celebrate their end of course with a presentation at Tolvaddon Community Fire Station.

"This is another example of a multi-agency led course delivering outcomes that develop and improve the lives of young people through a structured and disciplined program. The course leaders are community role models and provide the best learning experience to the students based on years of emergency service experience.”

The 999 Academy remains at the forefront in delivering practical skills to young people, having branched out from Barnstaple, North Devon to Bridgwater and Taunton College in 2017. Other locations for further courses are being developed across the South West.