Sodexo UK & Ireland has announced 25 fully funded foundation apprenticeships for Cadet Forces alongside extended paid leave for employees who volunteer with cadet organisations.
The announcement comes during the UK’s first National Cadets Week and forms part of Sodexo’s wider support for the Armed Forces community.
The eight-month foundation apprenticeships will be available nationally to cadet leavers aged 18 and over and funded through Sodexo’s apprenticeship programme.
Delivered through a combination of structured learning, coaching and workplace experience, the programmes will provide routes into careers including food services, hospitality and facilities management.
Opportunities will include training to become a Commis Chef and roles within frontline facilities management, with the potential for participants to continue their careers within Sodexo’s Defence business.
The initiative follows discussions between Sodexo, the Ministry of Defence, Cadet Forces and military personnel over the past 18 months.
Sodexo has also extended its Reservist Leave policy to provide an additional 10 days of flexible paid leave for employees serving as Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
The measure is intended to allow existing volunteers to undertake their Cadet Force commitments without using annual leave while also encouraging more employees to consider volunteering.
Matthew Sumner-Thorpe, Adult Cadet Force Volunteer at Newton-le-Willows Sea Cadets and Senior HSEQ Manager at Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “The Cadet Forces are one of the UK’s best-kept secrets when it comes to developing talented young people, so these commitments will have a significant impact on the cadets, the organisations they represent throughout their careers, and fellow volunteers. Providing dedicated leave will result in a healthier work-life balance for Adult Cadet Force Volunteers and it will hopefully encourage more people to volunteer their time in supporting young people, which has been one of the best decisions I’ve made with the Sea Cadets 19 years ago.”
Sodexo has worked with the UK Armed Forces for more than 30 years and currently provides food, soft facilities management and hard facilities management services at more than 50 military sites across the UK, Cyprus and the Falkland Islands.
Mark Baker, Chief Operating Officer (Defence) at Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “Sodexo has a long and proud history supporting our Armed Forces, so we are delighted to mark the first-ever National Cadets Week with two announcements that represent unlocking new opportunities for young people and providing added support for adult volunteers. We recognise and thank the UK Cadet Forces for the essential service they provide our young people, enabling them with the practical skills, resilience, and discipline that set them up for success in later life. Through close partnership with the Ministry of Defence, Sodexo will continue to widen opportunity and innovate to improve the Lived Experience of the military community.”
Speaking from the launch event this week in Hastings, Minister for Veterans and People Calvin Bailey MP said: “Our Cadet Forces give young people the chance to discover what they’re capable of, have fun, build friendships and develop skills that will stay with them for life. National Cadets Week is a chance for us to celebrate the young people who make our Cadet Forces so special, and the volunteers who give their time to help them thrive. Together, we can ensure these opportunities remain for generations to come.”
Sodexo has additionally committed to providing chef masterclasses to a range of cadet units in partnership with the Ministry of Defence.
The business will provide free packed lunches and food supplies for Army Cadets at Colchester Garrison for the next 12 months and undertake voluntary work with Newton-Le-Willows Sea Cadets to help repair, paint and decorate buildings.
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