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Martyn makes a First-Class career move

Combining a career in the fire service with part-time University study may appear a difficult task. But it鈥檚 one that Martyn Emberson has achieved. Following six years of part-time study at the University of 海角直播, Martyn has not only clinched a First Class BA (Hons) degree in Business Management, but has also been awarded the Institute of Management prize, for best performance on the course.

Martyn, 43, from Marton, Middlesbrough, has been with Cleveland Fire Brigade for 18 years and is now a Divisional Officer Operational Support, based at the Brigade Headquarters in Hartlepool. His diverse role includes providing strategic support to Principle Officers and supporting four District Managers. This involves liaising with industry and other partner organisations that span the whole Brigade. In addition he manages the Brigade鈥檚 long term Special Projects, and is also responsible for the officers who plan the response to a major incident. Father-of-two Martyn is originally from Grays, Essex. At the age of 18 he achieved three 鈥楢鈥� levels in Physics, Maths and Engineering Drawing. He said: 鈥淎fter my 鈥楢鈥� levels I鈥檇 had enough of education and wanted to see the world. So I trained as a navy officer at South Shields Technical College.鈥�

During a four-year period Martyn toured the world three times on various cargo ships, progressing to Third Mate Deck Officer. He met wife Sue in Middlesbrough and decided on a career change. 鈥淭he naval career wasn鈥檛 conducive to family life. I鈥檇 completed fire safety training on ships and the fire brigade seemed an attractive career. I liked the unpredictability of the job, you never know what鈥檚 going to happen two minutes down the line and you feel as though you鈥檙e doing something useful.鈥�

Martyn progressed through the Brigade. He said: 鈥淲hen I reached the rank of Assistant Divisional Officer, I realised I needed a degree, to be more effective in the future. Absolutely everything in the course has been directly relevant to my job, such as project management, as one of my roles is to manage the Brigade鈥檚 long-term projects. The Business Strategy module was also important, in planning ahead for the Brigade. You were constantly stimulated as the modules changed every 16 weeks.鈥�

Part-time study involved some sacrifices for Martyn and his family. He added: 鈥淪ue鈥檚 been incredibly supportive as we鈥檝e had to delay holidays and I鈥檝e studied on weekends and four evenings a week. I was over the moon to get a First Class degree and the prize; it鈥檚 made all the effort worthwhile. Sue will be coming to the graduation, along with my Dad Tony, who鈥檚 travelling up from Essex.鈥�

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