Celebrating National Cadet Week
This week marks the first National Cadets Week – an opportunity to celebrate the 137,000 young people who turn up to cadet huts across the UK to learn new skills, as well as the 28,000 adults who volunteer their time to invest in a young person’s future.
At the end of the day, investing in future generations is at the heart of the cadets. Whether it is the Army Cadets, Air Cadets, Sea Cadets, Volunteer Cadet Corps, or the Combined Cadet Force, it is a brilliant way for young people to build self-confidence and learn practical skills that will help them in the world of work.
What is often missed in discussions about cadets is the positive impact they have in working-class communities. The opportunities offered to working-class young people are transformational – providing access to programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and vocational qualifications that genuinely help them move into work, further education or training.
Access to outdoor activities, leadership training and technical skill-building can often be hampered by household budgets. However, the cadets are low-cost or, in many instances, completely free of charge. The cadet movement is a powerful tool for social mobility, bridging the gap so that working-class young people can access music lessons or sports clubs that are too often only accessible to the middle classes.
Last year, a report from the University of Northampton and the Ministry of Defence found that young people who join the cadets perform better at school, with improved attendance and behaviour. Crucially, the report shows that cadet experience gives pupils an ‘edge’ in applications for college, university, apprenticeships and employment.
It is for these reasons that the UK Government is investing in cadets: an investment in future generations to help young people broaden their horizons. This week, a Cadets Action Plan will be published, setting out plans to expand access to cadet provision so that more young people can get involved, alongside an improved offer to retain and recruit adult volunteers.
While there is no obligation for cadets to join the armed forces, the cadet movement plays a central role in building a whole-of-society approach to national resilience. The training cadets receive makes them valuable assets during local emergencies and crises.
Supporting the growth of the cadet forces makes a vital contribution to future generations and the communities where cadet huts are located. As youth centres have disappeared, there are fewer places left for young people to go. Attending cadet huts during evenings and weekends keeps young people engaged and steers them away from antisocial behaviour. On top of that, cadets take part in charitable activities and environmental clean-ups, fostering a sense of local ownership and civic pride.
In Glasgow North East, we are lucky to have the Army Cadets in Easterhouse, who contribute a great deal to the local community. As we mark the first National Cadets Week and celebrate one of the country’s most effective and impactful youth organisations, I want to thank every volunteer who gives their time to help young people from all backgrounds reach their full potential.
RAF Air Cadets: https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/find-a-squadron/
Army Cadets: https://armycadets.com/find-a-detachment/
Royal Navy Cadets: https://www.sea-cadets.org/units & https://www.volunteercadetcorps.org/
Combined Cadet Force: https://combinedcadetforce.org.uk/find-a-ccf
