NORTHERN IRELAND CADETS COMPETE FOR SOUTH AFRICA EXPEDITION PRIZE

Katy Jamison of Dundonald Sea Cadet Unit and Joanna Baker, a member of 2nd Northern Ireland Battalion Army Cadet Force, are competing with 22 others to be chosen as one of nine national finalists in the CVQO Duke of Westminster Award at a challenging four-day selection event in Somerset. 

These nine national finalists will win a place on an educational two-week expedition to South Africa in July and one will be crowned the overall CVQO Duke of Westminster Award winner for 2015 at the House of Lords ceremony on 30 June.

The cadets taking part are all being recognised for their outstanding community, voluntary and personal achievements. They have all been nominated by their cadet units in recognition of their desire to help those around them, overcome personal challenges or demonstrate community spirit. 

On the agenda for the four-day event in the heart of the Quantock Hills are physical team-building tasks, challenging group debates, strategy tests and interviews. All of these are designed to test the cadets’ leadership and management skills in a variety of situations. 

Additionally, as part of the four-day event, the cadets will complete an ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) Level 3 in Leadership and Management, allowing them to demonstrate their skills to employers and higher education institutions. 

The annual event has been organised by CVQO, a vocational education charity in the UK that provides an alternative route to employment and higher education for its learners.

Guy Horridge, chief executive of CVQO, said: “The CVQO Duke of Westminster Award is not just about being a great cadet; it is about recognising and rewarding young people who become valuable members of their communities and who show a willingness selflessly to help others.

“CVQO is also looking for those young people who are working hard to achieve their aspirations, perhaps overcoming personal challenges and difficulties that life has thrown at them, building a resilience and determination to succeed.

“This year’s standard has been extremely high and it will be particularly difficult to select those worthy of a place in the final nine, let alone the overall winner.”

Those lucky enough to win a place on the South Africa expedition will be working with local schools, taking part in an environmental awareness programme and learning about the country’s history.
Joanna said “I’m really going to give the event my all as it’s such a fantastic experience. Going to South Africa would be incredible – I have a small obsession with giraffes, so seeing one in the flesh would be really special!“

About CVQO

CVQO is a registered charity in the UK that provides an alternative route to employment and higher education for learners in the UK. The charity manages internationally recognised vocational qualifications for young people and their instructors in uniformed youth organisations. 

The qualifications and awards on offer are accredited by Edexcel, City & Guilds, and the Institute of Leadership and Management to reflect the valuable skills, such as leadership, teambuilding, problem-solving, communication, health and physical fitness that young people and adults learn through cadet and youth organisations. By offering qualifications designed to develop and improve these important practical skills CVQO aims to provide its members with greater opportunities in both the workplace and in higher education. Visit www.cvqo.org

Pictured above – Katy Jamison (left, bib number 8) and Joanna Baker (Right, bib number 1)