Another great opportunity
By Corporal S. Cox
BTECs
are
vocational
qualifications; we are more
familiar seeing in our
schools, colleges or sixth
forms. However it’s not
widely
known
through
educational
company
CVQO the ATC offers two
level 2 BTEC extended
awards in both music and
public services through equivalent to 5 GSCEs A*C . As cadets at 16, we
have the option to choose
either or even both, so not
being a musical person I
chose the public services
BTEC.
No
previous
entry
requirements are needed,
only the willingness to
sacrifice just two weekends
of commitment and hard
work spread over an 18
month period.
A few
weeks after singing up,
staff at the squadron
confirmed my place on the
course and in a matter of
weeks
the
squadron
provides a specific BTEC
weekend. It’s expected all
of the squadron’s members
enrolled on the specific
BTEC course, in this case
public services, attend on
Saturday and Sunday. So
with other friends from the
squadron, armed with pens
12
and junk food you’re
ready to start the course!
a section of sports science.
Notably in workbook two
The Public services participants are required to
BTEC
consists
of
5 plan a navigational exercise
sections
over
2 and a full scale physical
programme
or
workbooks, so roughly 1 exercise
workbook per weekend in expedition, where experience
which the majority of of navigational awards or D
answers are provided in a of E is hugely beneficial.
source
booklet.
Once the hard work of
Candidates
have
the two
weekends
is
over,
option to study 2 public candidate’s workbooks are
services, selecting from; sent to CVQO to be marked.
the armed forces, the Section by section, each
police, Fire service, and question is marked. BTECs
the ambulance service- are graded by the work
and
the
majority
of completed, so if for example
workbook ones questions all merit level questions are
are based around your completed to standard, but
chosen public services, not enough distinction, a
and a specific role you’re merit level is achieved and
personally interested in so on for each level. I was
within the service.
ecstatic
to
achieve
a
The
highlight
of distinction* and if I can
workbook one perhaps is achieve so highly, I’m sure
the practical interview everyone else can!
conducted by staff in
which you are tested
about
your
rolean
activity that was both
valuable and beneficial for
future reference therefore
encouraged by employers.
Although other than this
the work is very simple.
It’s
something unique
that
not
many
other
teenagers have, something
that can really stand out on
a CV - setting you apart
from others of similar age
brackets. This is evidence of
another great opportunity
provided by the squadron
Workbook 2 is much and the ATC in benefiting all
the
same,
revolving of us as cadets. ?
around
your
public
service, but encapsulates
2497 (Cosford) Squadron Altitude | Autumn 2013