IT WAS a cold morning at Tilshead Cadet Training Centre, but that didn’t stop Wiltshire College & University Centre students from throwing themselves into four days of learning, teamwork and new experiences.
More than 60 Public Services and Engineering students from the College’s Salisbury and Trowbridge campuses swapped classrooms for boots, teamwork challenges and hands-on learning during an Army ‘Look at Life’ residential earlier this academic year.
Delivered in partnership with the Army’s Youth Engagement Team and the Wessex Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, the experience gave students the chance to step into a completely different environment, work closely with serving personnel and build confidence, resilience and leadership skills along the way.
“It’s a really valuable insight”
Public Services student Amber Streeter, 18, from Devizes, hopes to join the Army and said the residential gave her a realistic and honest insight into military life.
“You’re treated like an equal, and you’re expected to step up. You bond quickly with people and learn how to problem-solve together,” said Amber.
“For someone who wants to join the Army, it’s a really valuable insight into what that life is actually like.”
The residential forms part of the College’s wider Public Services programme, which gives students opportunities to explore careers across the police, fire and rescue service, ambulance service and the Armed Forces, helping them understand what different roles really involve.
Exploring different pathways
For Alfie Stevenson, 17, from Melksham, the trip highlighted just how many options the course can open up.
“I love how the course gives us insight into all different uniformed services,” he said. “Today, we’re looking at the Army, but we do loads more as part of the course – both military and non-military – and that really helps guide you towards your future career.”
“I want to go into the RAF, and this trip helps with that – you gain loads of skills and confidence in yourself and it shows you what actually happens in the services, with real personnel supporting you. The course has also given me other options to consider.”
This year, Engineering students joined the residential for the first time, giving them the chance to explore technical and apprenticeship routes within the Armed Forces. A highlight for many was a visit to Larkhill, where students learned more about specialist regiments and engineering roles within the Army.
Raising awareness of opportunities
Kerry Roberts, Youth Engagement Warrant Officer for Headquarters South West (HQSW), said the residential is about helping young people understand what’s possible.
“A big part of what we do is raising awareness of the range of roles and pathways available across the Army,” he said. “There are hundreds of jobs and apprenticeship opportunities, and experiences like this help young people understand what those roles really involve, as well as the benefits and support available.”
“It also helps to challenge some of the myths around military life and gives students a more realistic picture, so they can make informed decisions about their future.”
That message was echoed by students on the trip, who said that the experience gave them greater confidence and clarity about their next steps.
18-year-old Keny Grant from Codford, hopes to join the police after college and said the experience helped her better understand the working environment of uniformed services.
“The skills we develop here – confidence, leadership and communication – are really important for the career I want to go into,” she said. “Seeing how uniformed services actually operate makes it feel much more real and helps you feel more prepared for what comes next.”
Public Services Lecturer Georgina Hewson said trips like this play a key role in helping students grow over the course of their studies.
“Some students arrive on the course with a clear idea of where they want to go, while others are still exploring their options,” she said. “By looking at the range of services – from police and fire to the ambulance service and the Armed Forces – students can see what different roles are really like and where their own strengths might fit.”
“What we consistently see is increased confidence, maturity and focus, which helps students make informed decisions about their next steps.”
Thinking about a career in the uniformed services?
Explore Public Services courses at Wiltshire College & University Centre and discover where your future could take you.
