Celebrating National Cadets Week

To mark the UK's first National Cadets Week, Sodexo UK & Ireland has reinforced its commitment and close partnership with our Armed Forces by pledging 25 new, fully-funded foundation apprenticeships for Armed Forces Cadets and extending our Reservist Leave policy to include Cadet Force Adult Volunteers employed at Sodexo, who can now benefit from a further 10 days paid leave for their volunteering commitments with cadet organisations. Check out the people stories and initiatives behind our National Cadets Week.

Sodexo announces 25 new apprenticeships for Armed Forces Cadets and extended paid leave for Cadet Force Adult volunteers

The new initiatives build on Sodexo's long-standing commitment to the Armed Forces community and create new opportunities for young people to develop skills, gain experience, and begin rewarding careers.

Read the release

From military roots to inspiring future generations: Rachel Mlynek's Army Cadet Force journey

For Rachel Mlynek, becoming an Adult Instructor with the Army Cadet Force (ACF) was more than taking up a new volunteer role. It was an opportunity to reconnect with a community that has shaped her family for generations while helping young people develop the confidence and skills to succeed.

Read Rachel's story

From cadet to volunteer: Matthew Thorpe's commitment to developing future generations

From Matthew Thorpe, HSEQ Manager on Sodexo's MOJ contract, joining the Sea Cadets as a teenager was the start of a journey that would shape his life and inspire nearly two decades of volunteering.

Read Matthew's story

Giving back through the Army Cadets: Mark Rhodes' story

For more than a decade, Mark Rhodes, Regional Services Manager for Sodexo Government, has dedicated his spare time to helping young people build confidence, develop leadership skills and reach their potential through the Merseyside Army Cadet Force. His connection with the cadets, however, started much earlier.

Read Mark's story

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From cadet to mentor: how John Unsworth has spent 24 years helping young people build skills for life

For John Unsworth, Senior Prison Custody Officer (SPCO) and Culture Coach at HMP Forest Bank, joining the cadets as a teenager was meant to be the start of a future naval career.

Read John's story

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FAQs

Cadets develop a really valuable combination of skills and experiences outside the traditional classroom. They work towards individual and team goals, learn to work with different personalities and develop skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, resilience and confidence.
From an employer perspective, it gives organisations access to people who have already had opportunities to develop some of the skills that are important in the workplace.
It also helps broaden the talent pool. To future-proof businesses, we need to look beyond traditional routes and recognise the different experiences that can help people build the skills businesses need.
Apprenticeships provide an opportunity to combine practical experience with formal learning, which makes them a natural fit for the skills and experiences many young people develop through the Cadet Forces.
The cadet experience is very much about learning by doing. Young people work with others, take on challenges, develop confidence and resilience and learn how to contribute to a team.
An apprenticeship can build on that experience by giving them the opportunity to develop professional and technical skills in the workplace. It can also open up different pathways for young people, rather than a linear career route.
People increasingly want their working lives to reflect more than just their job. They want opportunities to develop, contribute to their communities and pursue interests and commitments outside of work.
As employers, we need to think about how we create an environment where people can do those things alongside their careers. For someone who volunteers with the Cadet Forces, for example, having the flexibility to manage a regular volunteering commitment can make a real difference.
There is also a business benefit. Volunteering can help people develop leadership, coaching, mentoring, stakeholder-management and teamwork skills. Those experiences can broaden someone's skill set and bring different perspectives into the workplace.
The young people in the Cadet Forces are part of the workforce of the future. They are developing skills and experiences now that can help them in whatever career they choose to pursue later.
That is why we shouldn't think about cadets solely through the lens of future Armed Forces recruitment. Cadets are exploring, challenging and developing themselves, and that experience can lead them in many different directions.
As businesses, we have a responsibility to help young people reach their potential and to broaden the talent pools we draw from. Supporting the Cadet Forces gives us an opportunity to engage with young people earlier, recognise the skills they are developing and help create pathways into employment. This will help future-proof your business with a reliable talent pool.

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Celebrating National Cadets Week

Sodexo announces 25 new apprenticeships for Armed Forces Cadets and extended paid leave for Cadet Force Adult volunteers

From military roots to inspiring future generations: Rachel Mlynek's Army Cadet Force journey

From cadet to volunteer: Matthew Thorpe's commitment to developing future generations

Giving back through the Army Cadets: Mark Rhodes' story

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From cadet to mentor: how John Unsworth has spent 24 years helping young people build skills for life

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FAQs

What are the business benefits of hiring former cadets?

Why have you chosen apprenticeships as the employment route for cadets?

How can supporting volunteering strengthen an employer’s ability to attract and retain talent?

Why is investing in the Cadet Forces an investment in the wider future workforce?

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Giving back through the Army Cadets: Mark Rhodes' story

From cadet to mentor: how John Unsworth has spent 24 years helping young people build skills for life

FAQs

What are the business benefits of hiring former cadets?

Why have you chosen apprenticeships as the employment route for cadets?

How can supporting volunteering strengthen an employer’s ability to attract and retain talent?

Why is investing in the Cadet Forces an investment in the wider future workforce?