Area Focus: Coventry - Mid Warks - North Warks - South Warks - Benefits of the Cadet Forces to Young People, Adult Volunteers and British Industry

With a current total of 12,759 Cadets and 2,050 Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers, across the four services, in the West Midland RFCA region we spoke to Frank McGoldrick to find out how experience in the Cadets can be used in industry. Frank is the Future Skills Advisor for MTC and a Former Staff

Sergeant, of 13 years, with Warwickshire & West Midlands Army Cadet Force.

“Cadet Forces in the UK have been in existence since 1854 with the formation of the Sea Cadets, and subsequently the Army, Air and Combined Cadet Forces. Participation in the Cadet Forces offers young people the opportunity to develop new friendships, skills, and qualifications. Cadets are placed in positions of responsibility and authority through which they develop a level of self-reliance that often surprises parents.

Young Cadets often arrive unable to speak for themselves but depart being a leader of young people, able to interact on equal terms with adults.

“Adult volunteers with no military experience benefit in many of the same ways, but particularly in the area of leadership and confidence.

“British industry needs people who can take responsibility for a task, can inspire and lead and who can speak up, with confidence to represent themselves, their team and their employer. Your employees can develop these skills as adult volunteers and your workforce can be refreshed by employing former Cadets who bring these skills with them. Look out for participation in the Cadet Forces on CVs whenever you recruit.”

For further information visit: www.wmrfca.org