Join as an adult volunteer

Over 20? Seeking a new challenge? Would you like to develop skills, leadership qualities and gain qualifications too?

At Air Cadets, we constantly assess our past achievements, implement changes to meet the challenges of today and make plans for the future. And a huge part of that planning is you. As the backbone of our organisation we're always on the look out for high-calibre individuals to become volunteers, helping to run the activities that play such an important role in the lives of our young members.

All kinds of people make up our volunteer staff, coming from a range of backgrounds and interests. Obviously if you have direct experience of working with young people, or any relevant skills such as flying or gliding, you would be particularly welcome. These aren't essential though, as we will train and support you at every stage.

That said, you'll have some personal qualities that are essential, such as patience, maturity and responsibility along with an understanding of young people and their needs. You needn't be an athlete, but a good level of physical fitness also helps to ensure you can keep up with the cadets!
 
If you don't think that a role as a Civilian Instructor is for you, but would still like to be involved at the Squadron you could always join the  1002 Sqn Committee  

Are you Officer material?

We rely on our volunteers to help us operate as effectively as possible. Being well organised is an obvious must, ideally with good managerial and administrative skills, and an ability to listen to problems and deal with them tactfully and appropriately.

Really show your skills in these areas and you could end up taking on more responsibility and moving up through the ranks as an officer. Of course, first you have to join as a Civilian Instructor and then have selection interviews at Wing HQs and Regional HQs but we guide you through that…if you have the potential for a commission to become an officer in the Training Branch of the RAF Reserve we’ll spot it!

Read more in this section about opportunities when you join us as a Civilian Instructor ,  Adult NCO or  Officer.  
 
 
 

Training and qualifications

It's not just the cadets that we like to see excel. We lead by example, and only by having fully trained, qualified and capable staff can we encourage confident, responsible cadets. We’ll supply all the training you require for the activities you assist with or lead, including health and safety, first aid and leadership courses which are essential to a safe environment in which the cadets can be physically challenged with adventurous training and competitive sports.

Plus, as a volunteer you could be gaining extra qualifications, which you can then use in other career areas. Here's a brief overview of what we offer, in association with the Cadet Vocational Qualification Organisation (CVQO):

The qualifications

  • City & Guilds Graduateship in Youth Management and Training (Level 6)
    A vocational award, the Graduateship provides distinctive and formal recognition of personal achievement and the application of professional and technical expertise within the Cadet Forces. You must demonstrate, through written work, a knowledge and competency equivalent to that which could be expected of a graduate at Honours degree level, or someone who has gained a vocational qualification or NVQ at Level 6.
  • City & Guilds Licentiateship in Youth Leadership and Training (Level 4)
    Similar to the Graduateship, this award is suitable for those with a supervisory/first line management skills level and is available to any instructor who has completed a minimum of 5 years Adult Cadet Forces service.
  • ILM Introductory Certificate in First Line Management (Level 3)
    The Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) Award in First Line Management is a concise qualification which gives an introduction to the basic skills, knowledge and understanding required by today's first line manager. The mandatory unit 'Solving Problems and Making Decisions' is designed to develop practical techniques for tackling managerial problems and making decisions from gathering and interpreting information through to the effective communication of outcomes.
  • Edexcel NVQ Verification Award (Level 4)
  • Edexcel NVQ Assessor Award (Level 3)
    National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ’s) are an alternative route to gaining a qualification that's based on a work role which assesses the skills and knowledge required to deliver and train First Aid within a Cadet Force. The Assessor and Verifier NVQs are currently only open to those who attend the Adult Cadet Forces First Aid Trainers course or to those members of the courses directing staff.