Skills force for schools

Geoff Hoon M.P. Secretary of State for Defence has opened the new national headquarters of Skill Force in Edwinstowe, North Nottinghamshire. He met former military instructors who are now working with pupils aged 14 to 16 in over 100 schools nationwide. Pupils from Meden school in Church Warsop, Nottinghamshire received certificates from Mr Hoon and demonstrated their teambuilding skills to him.

Air Cadets from Mansfield were also put through their paces by a Physical Training Instructor from RAF Halton. Military instructors have tremendous experience in working with young people. The instructors employed by Skill Force are recently retired former instructors in the Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. Nationwide there are 25 teams of instructors working with over 3000 pupils in over 100 schools.

Skill Force receives funding from both the Ministry of Defence and from the Department for Education and Skills. Pupils learn new skills and are given tasks which improve their confidence. They work towards the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver Awards, the Young Life savers Award and ASDAN.

Teachers in schools where Skill Force instructors are based are very enthusiastic about the positive impact that the instructors have on their pupils. They report that pupils who are involved with Skill Force have improved attendance and behaviour since starting the scheme.

The aim of Skill Forced is described by Peter Cross OBE, Chief Executive of Skill Force is to help transform the life chances of thousands of young people, by using the world class team building and problem solving skills of its instructors who work with young people for a day a week for 2 years, largely within their school environment, to help them to improve their own life chances by enhancing their employability.
 

Members of the Work Place Learning Centre team are available to provide journalists and media organisations with expert comment on all aspects of learning at work.

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