Cadets prepare for the world of work

The pilot scheme, sponsored by Foyle Food Group, one of the North West’s largest private sector employers, will be open to cadets aged 15 – 18 from Army Cadet Force detachments based in and around Londonderry.

It has been tailored to help cadets bridge the gap from school to employment and those who complete the intensive one day course will emerge better positioned to show off their skills and personal attributes, while local employers will benefit from the availability of a pool of young people with a strong work ethos, high self esteem … and a determination to make their mark in the workplace.

Announcing support for the scheme, Nigel McIlwaine, Group Finance & HR Director of Foyle Food Group, said, “We are delighted to offer a helping hand to local young people and welcome this exciting new initiative as another platform for us to showcase our organisation’s recruitment ethos, potentially encouraging more applications as vacancies arise.

“Like many local employers, the Foyle Food Group can find it difficult to attract the right sort of enthusiastic applicants for new jobs … and we may have up to 200 vacancies in the course of a fairly typical year. That may pose a problem for our Human Resources department, but is must seem like good news to job hunters!

“Of course, we are always especially pleased to receive applications from people who have experience and skills that are specifically related to the meat processing industry, but those skills are in short supply and, increasingly, new recruits come directly to us from school, college or unrelated fields and we supply training ‘on the job’. We are looking for individuals who are willing to learn a new job, with a strong work ethic and who will be dependable, turning up for work on time each morning and showing the right attitude towards their own safety and that of fellow employees. In our experience, candidates who demonstrate commitment to past employers or voluntary organisations or who can demonstrate how they have coped well in the face of life pressures often have the makings of a strong Foyle Food Group employee.”

While there are just thirty places available on the pilot programme, interest has already been intense and it seems likely that, provided interested and supportive employer partners can be identified, Cadets Into Work could roll out around the Province.

Colonel Paul Shepherd, Commandant of 1 (NI) Battalion Army Cadet Force, says, “To the outsider it may seem that the Cadet movement provides kids with a fun and challenging hobby. That of course is true, but, from the inside, we know it is only one part of a broader picture. Teenagers who commit to membership of what is one of the country’s largest, longest established and most successful youth organisations will have the opportunity to build up an impressive array of achievements, including internationally recognized qualifications such as the BTEC in Public Services.

“Our teenage Cadets and their parents are very aware of just how difficult it can be for school-leavers to find a job or, indeed, to secure a place in college or university if that is their choice. This time around we are focusing on older Cadets who would, ideally, like to go straight from school into work. By offering sound, common sense advice and providing practical guidance to those young Cadets as they prepare to leave the cadet ‘family’, giving them a chance to see what life is like in the ‘real world’ of work, we can do much to enhance their employability. That is something which, we know, will be much appreciated by Cadets, their families and schools.”

No formal qualifications are required to participate in the Cadets Into Work initiative, but candidates must show in training the sort of commitment and enthusiasm which an employer will expect to see from a new recruit: the qualities, in fact, which make a good cadet.

Those who take part will get a taste of life in the workplace and will acquire skills and experience designed to help them secure that all-important first job. Subjects covered will include:

How to write a good application form and covering letter

How to produce an effective CV

Understanding what prospective employers look for at interviews

Practice makes perfect - simulated job interviews

Personal review of skills and advice on improvement

Inspirational talks from prospective employers

Presenting workplace skills – eg timekeeping, respect, health & safety responsibilities

Help in identifying current and future job vacancies