Prestigious awards earned in the Army Cadet Force have been enhancing the CVs and Personal Statements of Ballygowan teenagers.
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Pictured receiving certificates of achievement and congratulations from Colonel Warnock are Ballygowan teenagers, (from left) Cadet Sergeant Dominic Reynolds who earned Cadet 4 Star and the Bronze Certificate for the National Navigation Award Scheme, a personal performance, non-competitive, incentive scheme for all ages to learn navigation skills and gain confidence to get out and enjoy the countryside; Cadet Staff Sergeant Clara Gelston who earned her 4 Star Proficiency Certificate and BTEC qualification and Cadet Corporal Joseph Armstrong who received his BTEC Certificate.[/caption]
At a ceremony held recently at The Queen’s University Great Hall, Colonel Maurice Warnock, Cadet Commandant of 2nd Northern Ireland Battalion Army Cadet Force, presented three young people from Ballygowan with BTEC (Public Services), National Navigation Awards, and Cadet Four Star Army Proficiency certificates earned over the past year.
Reinforcing the importance and value of such achievements, Colonel Warnock said: “Membership of the Cadet Force has long been highly regarded by employers and those in higher education, but now we are enhancing that reputation by providing Cadets with still more opportunities to earn important and even nationally recognized qualifications – and, much to their credit, these young people have taken full advantage of those opportunities! In doing so, they have enhanced both their confidence and their employability.”
The graded Army Proficiency Certificate is a form of training which gets more challenging each year and Cadets are encouraged to work their way up to four star accreditation, developing a vast range of skills along the way, tackling everything from fieldcraft and first aid to sport and community work.
Colonel Warnock added: “Cadet membership is a past-time which is growing in popularity as more young people look for positive outlets for their energy and talents. Within a supportive and encouraging Cadet Detachment, they can expect not only to take on new skills, but also to develop personal confidence and make lasting friendships – and parents as well as teenagers will be delighted to learn that the opportunities we provide are all either free or extremely low in cost.”
The Ballygowan Detachment of the Army Cadet Force Detachment which meets in Manse Road in Carryduff each Wednesday evening is currently seeking to recruit new members.
For further information about Cadet membership there or across the County check out:
www.reservesandcadetsni.org.uk
or telephone 0800 730 730.
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