It’s been a year since the COVID-19 pandemic have put restrictions on the ACF with the immediate stopping of all face to face training.
In Lincolnshire we are passionate about vocational qualifications, myself as the County VQO and all the Unit BTEC Reps have been working tirelessly, with the support of our very own Lt Col Mitch McGuire, who is also our Regional Manager from CVQO, making sure all our cadets and adults can access the vocational qualification opportunities open to them.
There were a number of learners who enrolled pre-pandemic late 2019, but instantly engaged with virtual teaching achieving their BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Teamwork and Personal Development during the first lockdown. 23 full achievements with a further 13 learners actively involved and progressing.
In November 2020 as a County we started to enrol new learners and so far we have enrolled 36 cadets onto the BTEC Level 2 vocational qualifications available. Engagement has been amazing despite the current distant situation we all find ourselves in, 12 cadets have successfully completed their full qualification already, with the other 24 participating in the weekly virtual teaching sessions. Learners who complete will receive a certificate and a badge.
Lincolnshire have had learners involved in all three virtual courses, the next one starts on Thursday April 8th, if you are interested please get in touch, this really is a great opportunity for cadets who were born on or before the 31st August 2004 to boost their CV and open up doors to further education, apprenticeships and employment.
We have also had 3 of our CFAVs successfully achieve the ILM level 3 Award in Leadership and Management, so it isn’t just cadets who are studying and there are a further 7 Lincolnshire CFAVs studying towards the BTEC Level 3 Education and Training. I wish them all good look with achieving this, I know they are all waiting to present their Micro teach, which hopefully be allowed soon with the potential lockdown being eased.
Major A Edwards
Lincolnshire ACF County VQO
