Military colleges ensure no-one gets left behind

LEARNERS at a string of leading Welsh training colleges are hitting the road – virtually – to ensure No-one Gets Left Behind. (@MPCT_HQ)

MPCT, which runs 35 Military Preparation Colleges (MPCs) across England and Wales, is backing the UK Government campaign to ensure pupils of all ages can access remote education during the coronavirus lockdown and beyond.

And from 1 March to 23 April, 1500 of its 16-19-year-old recruits will be taking part in a major fundraising drive to provide laptops for those who need them most.

Around 650 laptops have been already provided by the Department of Education for MPC learners in England and the MPCT’s charitable arm has gifted 125 laptops for leaners in Wales.

Now, to ensure there is an adequate supply of laptops, not just for current but for upcoming recruits, the 1500-strong cohort of learners will complete a virtual marathon in the hope of raising more than £5k for MPCT’s charity, the Motivational Learning Trust.

They have been split into teams and they and their instructors, who are all ex-British Armed Forces personnel, aim to cover a distance of 1415 miles – or 26.2 miles a day – by walking, jogging or running in their own time and locality over 54 days.

Participants will be scored in actual miles covered and it is hoped that, along with raising funds through donations from friends, family and the wider public, the challenge will boost participants’ mental and physical heath.

Military Preparation Colleges offer a range of academic, functional and health and fitness courses along with training in physical fitness, public speaking and communication.                                                                                                  

In Wales, there are MPCs at Bangor, Bridgend, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport, Swansea and Wrexham and MPCT’s Director of Contracts, Tim Williams, who has organised the No-One Gets Left Behind challenge, said “it’s about current learners supporting those that will follow them.

“Remote learning isn’t going away any time soon,” he said, “and it’s vital young people have the equipment they need to access it and reach their full potential.

“Laptops are crucial to this – some of our learners only had mobile phones and others were sharing laptops with family members, so had very restricted usage.

“Not only will this fundraiser ensure none of our existing cohort gets left behind, but it will also provide laptops to equip a new intake of recruits – so laptop provision isn’t just a one-off initiative; it’s a sustainable one.”

In addition, learners who live in areas which experience connectivity issues can access alternative support and advice from MPCT. 

The No-One Gets Left Behind campaign is being rolled out across digital channels including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat and donations can be made via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mpct-college3