Celebrating National Cadets Week

FAQs

• What are the business benefits of hiring former cadets?

  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.

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

  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.

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

  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.

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

  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.