Then let’s make it actually happen!
Director of Chamber Member MAT Ltd of Worcester, Peter Francis, is a keen supporter and adult instructor with the Hereford and Worcester Army Cadets at Worcester. The ACF supports young people to develop skills and broaden their practical knowledge in ways that the educational system would struggle to offer.
Says Peter:
“I volunteered to assist with the ACF 2 years ago partly because I wanted to challenge myself but mostly because I realised that young people coming into the workplace were lacking in confidence and practical skills that an academically-focused education was just not delivering. I believed that I could contribute by giving some insight whilst still at school into what engineering really meant, and to share my love of solving problems in a practical way. This is also strongly aligned with our core values of maximising the abilities that people already have.
“What struck me was how accepting the cadets were of some new perspectives and willing they are to work together as a partnership, along with the phenomenal adult team who all support the groups and organised structure, and are also prepared to use new approaches to develop and benefits the young people.
“HWACF regularly run training weekends for cadets at their training centre near Pershore, and we have the opportunity to install a permanent climbing wall there this year to enable us to build on much needed physical fitness, enhance their teamworking skills and to strengthen their own confidence in a safe way. We have a shortfall to meet the cost of building the wall, so I’m putting out to the local business community to ask if you could help support us to raise the final push for the funds.”
To contact Peter Francis (with his business beret on) at MATL, [email protected] or 01905 888174. Alternatively contact Hereford & Worcester ACF ([email protected]) 01432 359917