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Skills for Life

Two studies from the University of Northampton reveal the amazing impact on social mobility and career prospects for young people who belong to the cadet forces.

Highlights of the Report

Being a member of the cadet forces has a significant positive impact on young people and improves their employability, career prospects and social mobility, according to independent research. The first study, What is the social impact and return on investment resulting from expenditure on the Cadet Forces in the UK?, was carried out by the University of Northampton between 2016 and 2020. The report, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Cadet Vocational College, was commissioned by the Combined Cadet Force Association (CCFA). Professor Simon Denny, Institute for Social Innovation and Impact at the University of Northampton, who led the studies, said: ‘Our research has concluded that the cadet forces provide structured challenge, discipline, training, education and, importantly, fun. 'Cadets and their adult volunteer instructors gain new skills and qualifications which increase their education and employment opportunities.’

Improved self-efficacy

One key finding of the research was that participation in the cadet forces had significant positive impacts on young people, particularly those suffering economic and other disadvantages. The findings related to the concept of self-efficacy, associated with improved motivation and performance at school. The report noted that even moderate improvements in GCSE attainment could lead to significant increases in economic benefits to society.

The research team commended the important work being carried out by adult volunteers to help children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds attain the same levels of self-efficacy as their more affluent peers – which also benefits the UK taxpayer.

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Vocational training

The report also noted that being able to study for and gain vocational awards through the Cadet Vocational College (CVC) and the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) was an integral part of the cadet-force experience. CVC and SQA provide vocational qualifications to members of uniformed UK youth groups and their adult-volunteer instructors.

The vocational qualifications offered provide formal and accredited recognition of skills such as teamwork, leadership, management and self-reliance – all competencies employers say they look for in staff.

CyberFirst

In addition, the report mentioned the CyberFirst programme, which was launched in September 2018 by the Secretary of State for Defence. It aims to equip up to 2,000 cadets a year with the skills and expertise to help them become future leaders in the emerging cybersecurity sector.

The programme gives cadets the opportunity to learn how to protect systems connected to the internet from cyber attacks. The initiative, the first of its kind in a NATO state, recognises the role the cadet forces play in developing employable young people by equipping them with new and sought-after skills.

Health and wellbeing

The report also found participation in the cadet forces improves the health and wellbeing of cadets which, alongside a higher probability of attending higher or further education, can result in an annual return on investment of around £95m. It further found that expenditure on the cadet forces is an excellent way to support community cohesion and inclusion.

The positive impacts on social mobility are, frankly, amazing.

Professor Denny

Use of taxpayers' money

Overall, the report outlined a significant return on investment from the cadet forces, with the cadet experience offering potentially life-changing opportunities for career progression and vocational qualifications. It also increased career prospects for those who may not hold traditional educational qualifications. 'The positive impacts on social mobility are, frankly, amazing,' said Professor Denny. 'The cadet forces represent a very good use of taxpayers' money.’

  • Increased school attendance
  • Reduction in number of GP visits
  • Reduction in use of mental health services
  • Increased likelihood of attending FE/HE
  • Increased potential lifetime earnings
  • Increased tax receipts

  • Qualifications
  • Teamwork, leadership, mentoring
  • Increased opportunities at work
  • Better mental wellbeing
  • Enjoyment and fulfilment
  • Support to the community

  • Located in every UK constituency
  • CFAVs/cadets are in education, employment or are employers
  • CFAVs/cadets in the community in uniform

As a result of developing and deploying key attributes, young people experience a number of positive outcomes, including:

  • Improved social mobility
  • More effective education (a direct consequence of improved attendance and behaviour)
  • Improved mental and physical wellbeing
  • Enhanced employability
  • Reduced vulnerability/increased resilience

Calculations using 2019 figures indicate that young people in cadet forces produce a return on investment of around £95m per annum (pa), comprising:

  • Reduction in GP visits (approx. value £502,000 pa)
  • Reduction in use of mental health services (approx. value £681,000 pa)
  • Lifetime private benefits from their increased likelihood of attending further education (FE) or higher education (HE) of around £70,300,000
  • Lifetime public benefits in increased tax receipts from their increased likelihood of attending
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Boost in Academic Skills

The second study, The Impact and Value of School-Based Cadet Forces in the UK, was commissioned by the Ministry of Defence and the Combined Cadet Force Association. The study, also carried out by the University of Northampton, found that school pupils who join the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) experience a boost in academic achievement, confidence and behaviour, resilience and school attendance.

Sound foundation for life

Professor Simon Denny said: ‘The findings of this report build on previous research done into the value that a school-based Cadets detachment provides to children, teachers and adult volunteers, and the outcomes of a school. ‘There is very clear evidence that the Cadets experience positively influences behaviour, attendance and attainment, and greatly increases access to further and higher education, as well as significantly improving employability. 'The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) provides children with a broad range of experiences which are not available through traditional education, and these experiences create a sound foundation for later life.’

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The report found that supporting communities and social mobility was a cornerstone of the cadet forces' ethos. Today, around 60 per cent of cadet forces are based in state schools – historically, they were mainly in independent schools.

However, since 2012, the Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP) has prioritised schools in deprived areas, places likely to be affected by multi-generational unemployment, gang crime and knife crime. The programme has provided tangible benefits to pupils from varied ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.

By belonging to school-based cadet forces, pupils from underprivileged backgrounds have been able to acquire more transferable skills and opportunities. This ‘levelling up in action’ helps them compete with children from more affluent backgrounds.

In interviews, the research team heard numerous examples of how being a member of the CCF had transformed pupils' behaviour. These benefits were not just limited to cadets; headteachers reported that improved behaviour extended throughout the school.

Cadet forces in schools were praised for providing challenging and fun opportunities which develop self-confidence and leadership skills in young people. Taking part in these activities also improved the likelihood of pupils going on to attend higher or further education, and their employability prospects.

The report noted how CCF contingents provide cadets with a progressive syllabus that includes skill awards (such as badges for first aid or communication) and promotions alongside vocational qualifications from the Cadet Vocational College.

By using peer mentoring to achieve these qualifications, the CCF helps pupils develop the qualities required to navigate and build social relationships, develop problem-solving skills and engage in education.

With the cost of one persistently absent child being around £2,166 annually, the report also found school-based cadet forces have the potential to save over £1.1m of the education budget through just one cadet per school increasing their attendance. The CCF has such a positive impact, that it is being used in some schools as part of their strategy to tackle exclusion

What the Report Says

'The CCF adds enrichment, it helps build character, resilience, practical skills and camaraderie; it adds to the educational experience. Importantly, every member of school staff interviewed made the point that the CCF is accessible to all – the non-sporting, the non-musical – anyone can join, and it's all encompassing with intellectual, physical and social content.; 'Participation in camps, expeditions and adventure training that cadets in the CCF undertake have been found to produce physical, psychological and social benefits in young people, increasing their resilience, self-esteem and reducing incidence of depression (Warburton et al. 2006).'

'School-based staff were complimentary about the CCF’s ability to create opportunities for students to gain qualifications, with cadets provided with opportunities to engage in Duke of Edinburgh's Awards, BTECs, and first aid programmes, to cite just a few. These qualifications opportunities, with some accredited and others viewed favourably by universities and employers, place cadets in a good position when applying for employment or further education post-school.'

Schools Reported

  • 74.9% Improved attendance
  • 77.7% Improved behaviour
  • 66.6% Improved academic attainment
  • Proven to boost wellbeing, with 91.6% of headteachers reporting a positive impact
  • 98.9% of headteachers found an improvement in cadet resilience
  • 83.3% of headteachers stated that the Army Cadets positively impacts outcomes of the school

Since the Department for Education and the Ministry of Defence launched the CEP in 2012, there are now 376 schools across the UK with contingents.

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