Page 14 - Cadet Review Summer 2023
P. 14
Joint Service News
CADETS
CAREERS
FAIR
By Phil Walton and
Colonel Simon Banks-Cooper
On the 11th February and to coincide with National Apprentice Week, the first ever Cadets Careers Fair for cadets in the Yorkshire and The Humber region took place at Askham Bryan College on the outskirts of York. The event was the brainchild of Colonel Simon Banks-Cooper, Honorary Colonel for Humberside and South Yorkshire ACF and the Acting Chairman of the Engagement team from the RFCA. The concept for the event came from the feedback from employers attending the regional Lord-Lieutenant Awards events and witnessing the outstanding cadets and their speeches and, in addition, from attending Visitor’s Days at County Annual Camps. The typical comments from employers were that cadets aged between 15 to
18 years are exactly the type of employment ready individuals they’re looking for as future apprentices and employees.
When the event was conceived, it was quickly apparent that employers were more than happy to support us, with over 45 companies and organisa- tions attending on the day. The cadets were able to talk with recruiting teams from the regional Police Forces, NHS Trusts, Project Management Agencies, Haulage, Construction, Finance, giants of the retail sector, single service military recruiting teams and further education establishments.
Over 150 cadets attended on the day and
... couldn’t
be happier that both cadets and employers alike found it so worthwhile
thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to speak one-to-one with supportive employers about their future prospects.
Colonel Simon said of the event, “I’m delighted our careers fair was so successful and couldn’t
be happier that both cadets and employers alike found it so worthwhile. Facilitating an environment that assists a cadet in capitalising on their cadet experience in such a way that it enhances their career choices, prospects and lifetime earnings is a worthwhile activity and one that highlights the importance of the cadet forces to society”.
The RFCA team will continue to collect feedback from all that attended to try and tailor future events to encourage a greater cadet audience as opportuni- ties like this don’t come around often.
14 CADET REVIEW SUMMER 2023
