Cardiff and Vale College cadets learn life skills in Leckwith with the Gryphon Squadron

The Junior Apprenticeship members of the CAVDETs – Cardiff and Vale College’s cadet troop – have met with senior commanders from its parent unit and learned survival skills.

The Junior Apprentice CAVDETs, who are all Year 10 students on the College’s Public Services programme, met with the senior command team of the Gryphon Squadron LOF and were inspected by Commanding Officer Legion Major Steve Jennings. Major Jennings was visiting the cadets at the College’s Cardiff International Sports Campus is Leckwith.

Following a theoretical lesson on survival skills and shelter building, the CAVDETs were given a brief organisation history of the Gryphon Squadron. Then they refined their foot drill and were taught how to salute for next each of the Year 10 students was enlisted into the Cadet Service with the Gryphon Squadron, and were presented with the unit’s cap badge.

The CAVDETs were then split up into four sections and under the watchful eye of the Squadron’s senior cadet – Year 11 learner and Junior Cadet Corporal Kiera Thomson – each group created shelters using both military and civilian survival techniques.

CAVC Public Services Lecturer, and Legion Captain Tom Jones said: “They say the proof of the pudding is in the eating so we had to assess the CAVDET’s learning – with a water test. Needless to say that none of the cadets got wet with the simulated rainfall, displaying to myself, their Learning Coach and our Commanding Officer – and most importantly to themselves – that they have adopted the Gryphon’s maxim that dedication, trust and a positive work ethic are vital to success!”

The Junior Apprenticeship CAVDETs are Public Services learners on a pioneering course designed to provide vocational career routes to 14 to 16-year-olds. Cardiff and Vale College’s Junior Apprenticeship programme is run in partnership with the Welsh Government, Cardiff Council and Cardiff schools.