A MILITARY training could be The Making of You – that is the message going out to young people across the UK.
While thousands of school leavers are now awaiting results that could take them to the next level of education, thousands more are leaving with no plan and few qualifications.
But there are 28 colleges across the UK that can help – by providing free courses to help 16 to 19-year-olds, of all abilities and from all backgrounds, reach their potential.
Military Preparation Colleges offer a range of academic, functional and health and fitness courses along with training in physical fitness, public speaking and communication.
And they are unique in that all their instructors are ex-British Armed Forces personnel, who use their military backgrounds to help learners set and reach the targets that will progress them to their chosen careers.
Funded by the Department for Education, they have been awarded ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted and now they have launched a campaign; The Making of You, to raise awareness of the vast range of careers to which their training is geared.
“Since its formation in 1999, MPCs have prepared more than 3000 young people for a military career,” said founder Huw Lewis MBE, “but we have also helped at least a further 12,000 into other areas of employment and training.
“Our aim is to ensure that our learners – whether they want to join the British Armed Forces or not – the core skills to support their ambitions.
“We help them get into good physical shape and teach them about healthy eating, we help them achieve qualifications in English and Mathematics and train them in problem solving, leadership and communication.
“And not only does that vastly boost their employability but it boosts their confidence and self -worth.
“Basically, whether they decide to go for military or civilian life – we will get them ready.”
To find out more about the Military Preparation Colleges, prospective learners and parents and guardians can visit www.mpct.co.uk or call 0330 111 3939.