Earn Valuable Qualifications and Skills with the Army Cadets
Army Cadets allows you to develop practical skills and work towards recognised qualifications alongside your Army Cadet awards. These can help you demonstrate your experience and achievements when applying for college, university, apprenticeships or your first job.
Skills development takes place through the Army Cadet Syllabus, specialist courses, adventurous training and programmes delivered with external partners. The opportunities available to you will depend on your age, your progress through the syllabus and where you are based.
What Can I Achieve at Army Cadets?
Many of the qualifications available to cadets can be earned as you advance through the Army Cadet Syllabus. These include certifications in areas such as first aid, CIS, music and navigation.
You will build your knowledge and practical skills as you progress through your training, with new opportunities becoming available as you gain experience and move through the syllabus.
Army Cadets also offers opportunities to gain qualifications connected to outdoor and adventurous activities. Depending on your age, experience and the training available, these can include hill walking and mountaineering, paddle sport and mountain biking.
You can also put your outdoor skills into practice while completing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
All outdoor activity qualifications are organised and run through our Cadet Centre for Adventurous Training (CCAT) with locations in North Wales and Lancaster. These courses help cadets and adult volunteers build courage, resilience, and leadership through challenging outdoor adventure. Led by fully qualified instructors, CCAT courses are designed to build decision-making, teamwork, and self-belief in ways few other experiences can. Plus, you’ll have some serious fun.
The Army Cadets gives young people opportunities to develop skills that are useful at school, in further education, at work and in everyday life. Through the Army Cadet Syllabus, adventurous training, fieldcraft, command tasks, expeditions and other activities, cadets learn by taking on practical challenges and gradually increasing their level of responsibility.
Teamwork
Teamwork is central to the Army Cadet experience. Cadets regularly work together to complete activities and overcome challenges, learning how to share ideas, support others, listen to instructions and contribute towards a common goal. Cadets also work alongside young people of different ages, abilities and backgrounds, helping them understand the strengths that different people can bring to a team.
Activities such as fieldcraft put these skills into practice, requiring cadets to work effectively with others while understanding when to lead and when to follow instructions.
Leadership
As cadets progress, they are given opportunities to take responsibility for themselves and others. Leadership training teaches them how to plan activities, make decisions, communicate instructions and motivate a team towards a shared objective.
The Army Cadet experience also helps young people understand that leadership is not simply about being in charge. It involves listening to others, recognising people’s strengths, taking responsibility and supporting team members. As their experience grows, cadets can take on greater leadership responsibilities and work towards recognised teamwork and leadership qualifications.
Communication
Cadets develop their communication skills by listening, sharing ideas, giving and receiving instructions and communicating clearly as part of a team. They learn that effective communication works both ways and that listening to different perspectives is an important part of working with and leading others.
Communication is also developed through practical training. For example, fieldcraft teaches cadets to communicate important information clearly and accurately, including when working in challenging or high-pressure situations.
Problem-solving
Many Army Cadet activities challenge young people to work out solutions for themselves rather than simply being given the answer. Command tasks are specifically designed to develop teamwork, leadership, communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
Cadets might need to assess a situation, develop a plan, divide responsibilities and adapt their approach if their original idea does not work. Fieldcraft similarly encourages cadets to think on their feet, assess risks and make effective decisions, helping them become more confident problem-solvers.
Adaptability
The Army Cadets regularly introduces young people to new experiences, unfamiliar environments and unexpected challenges. From adventurous training and expeditions to fieldcraft exercises, cadets learn that circumstances can change and that they may need to adjust their plans or approach.
Fieldcraft in particular is designed to develop adaptability through practical and demanding challenges. Army Cadets help young people respond to difficult or unexpected situations calmly and proactively, consider different perspectives and make well-considered decisions.
Resilience
Cadets are encouraged to challenge themselves, persevere when something is difficult and learn from mistakes.
Activities such as fieldcraft, adventurous training and expeditions can take young people outside their comfort zone. By overcoming challenges, dealing with setbacks and trying again when something does not go to plan, cadets can develop greater determination, confidence and perseverance.
Vocational qualifications recognise practical skills and experience that can support your next steps into further education, an apprenticeship or employment.
Army Cadets offers a range of opportunities depending on your age, location and progress through training.
SQA and SCQF qualifications
In Scotland, Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) qualifications in personal development, teamwork, leadership and delivering training are mapped to the Army Cadet Syllabus.
Eligible cadets can gain recognised Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) learning credits while developing practical skills through their cadet training.
BTEC qualifications
Through the Cadet Vocational College, eligible cadets aged 16 to 18 may have the opportunity to work towards Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) qualifications.
These qualifications recognise practical and development-based learning and may also provide UCAS points, depending on the qualification completed.
ILM qualifications
Eligible older cadets may also be able to work towards Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) qualifications, formally recognising leadership and management skills developed through their cadet experience.
Eligibility, assessment requirements and the qualifications available can vary. Speak to your detachment to find out which vocational qualification opportunities are currently available to you.
Many Army Cadet qualifications can be gained at little or no cost to the cadet. Where there is a cost, financial support may be available for those who meet the necessary criteria.
How These Skills Can Support Your Future
The skills and experience you gain through Army Cadets can give you practical examples of your abilities when you take your next steps.
For example, qualifications and cadet experience can help you demonstrate teamwork, communication, leadership, problem-solving and commitment when applying for:
- College or sixth form
- Apprenticeships
- University
- Employment
- Volunteering opportunities
- Further training
- Leadership responsibilities
They can also give you useful experiences to discuss in applications and interviews, helping you show what you have achieved rather than simply listing your skills.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an internationally recognised programme that gives young people the opportunity to develop skills, volunteer, take part in physical activities and complete an expedition.
There are three levels: Bronze DofE, Silver DofE and Gold DofE.
There is plenty of crossover between DofE and Army Cadet activities, which means some of the things you already do as a cadet can contribute towards completing your Award.
Completing DofE gives you another way to demonstrate your commitment, skills and achievements when applying for further education, university or employment.
Find out how you can complete the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award with Army Cadets.
Find Skills Development Opportunities Near You
Your skills development starts at your local Army Cadet detachment, where you can take part in regular training and begin progressing through the Army Cadet Syllabus.
As you gain experience, you may also have opportunities to attend specialist courses and activities organised at county, regional or national level.
The qualifications and courses available can vary according to your age, syllabus progress and location, so your local detachment is the best place to find out what opportunities are currently available to you.
Ready to get started? Find skills development opportunities near you and discover your nearest Army Cadet detachment.
FAQs About Skills and Qualifications
Army Cadets allows you to develop a wide range of practical and transferable skills. These include first aid, navigation, adventurous training, communication & information systems (CIS), teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, adaptability and resilience. The skills you develop will depend on the activities you take part in and your progress through the Army Cadet Syllabus.
Yes. Skills are developed through regular Army Cadet Syllabus training as well as specialist courses, adventurous training and recognised qualification programmes. Some training takes place at your local detachment, while other opportunities may be organised at county, regional or national level.
Start by using our detachment finder to find your nearest Army Cadet detachment. Your local HQ or detachment can explain the training and skills development opportunities available and how you can get involved. Some specialist courses may take place elsewhere at county, regional or national level.
Depending on age, location, eligibility and progress through training, cadets may be able to work towards Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) qualifications, Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) learning credits, Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) qualifications and Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) qualifications.
Some eligible qualifications available through Army Cadets may provide UCAS points. The number of points and eligibility requirements depend on the qualification, so cadets should check the current requirements before enrolling.
Many qualifications can be gained at little or no cost to the cadet. Where there is a cost, financial support may sometimes be available for cadets who meet the relevant criteria. Speak to your detachment for information about a particular qualification or course.
Develop Skills for Your Future with the Army Cadets
Whether you want to learn practical skills, challenge yourself outdoors, develop as a leader or gain recognised qualifications, Army Cadets gives you opportunities to learn through real experiences.
As you progress, you can build skills and achievements that support your next steps in education, training, volunteering and employment.
Join Army Cadets or find your nearest Army Cadet detachment to get started.