Military college clocks five successful years

Since opening its doors in June 2011, the free-to-attend Hastings Military Preparation College has helped prepare nearly 200 local teens for careers in the Armed Forces, civilian workplaces or further education. Here it reports on its achievement.

A specialist training college dedicated to helping 16-19 year olds in Hastings get fit and ready for employment is celebrating five years in the town this month.
Since opening in June 2011, the Hastings Military Preparation College, based at Hastings TA Centre on Cinque Ports Way, has helped nearly 200 young people from the local area to develop their fitness, functional skills and self-confidence.

Through its unique ‘active learning’ curriculum, the college helps prepare these young people for careers in the Armed Forces, civilian workplaces or further education. Since its launch, 86% of learners have progressed into full-time employment, voluntary work or further education after leaving the College.

Bradley Ware.

One of the young people to have benefited from the alternative educational pathway offered at the College is 17-year-old Bradley Ware, from Hastings. Having always dreamed of joining the Royal Engineers, Bradley signed up for the Hastings Military Preparation College and is currently on track to realise his dream and join the Army later this year.

“My great grandfather served in the Army so I’ve grown up wanting to join,” he says. “When I heard about the Military Preparation College, I knew it was the perfect way for me to build up my fitness and skills before I tried to pass Army selection, and I’ve loved the experience from my very first day. The instructors treat you like an adult and there’s a great deal of mutual respect. They bring out the best in us.”

With two-hour daily physical training sessions, students at the college spend much of their time outside. They are also encouraged to undertake fundraising and community work, and regularly participate in practical activity days to develop their leadership and team-building skills.

“When people hear that I go to a military college, they think it’s just lots of running and press-ups, but it’s so much more than that,” Bradley says. “We regularly practise public speaking exercises and we also learn a number of functional skills, such as how to look after our uniform. My favourite exercises are on the military activity days when we get to try things like camouflage and shelter building.

“I have also received a second chance at my maths and English qualifications through the college. Although I passed my maths GCSE while at school, I did not really enjoy the classes; at the Military Preparation College we practise maths skills in practical settings, such as working out distances. It really helps to bring the subject to life.”

“I am delighted with how well the Military Preparation College has been received since its launch five years ago, and in particular for the 19 former learners who have joined the Armed Forces as a result,” says operations manager Paul Boundy. “Our course is designed to get young people ready for life and the workplace. All areas of the curriculum are designed to engage and challenge young people to achieve their full potential. Mr Ware is a great ambassador for the college and it has been a pleasure to work with him and so many inspiring young people during the past five years.”

Since its foundation in 1999, the nationwide network of Military Preparation Colleges has enabled over 2,000 young men and women to enlist in the Armed Forces, and helped over 4,000 others to explore further employment, education and training opportunities. Applications are welcome.

There are 19 government-funded military preparation colleges across the UK, run by the Motivational Preparation College for Training. For more information or to apply to the Hastings Military Preparation College, please visit the website or call 08442 438438.

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