Unfortunately, I think this is a very realistic comment. It is going to be hard work for a while.
I think there needs to be a much greater focus on CFAV training now. We’ll have been on (barely) and off for nearly a full year, and currency/competency for the more risky activities is a real thing now - it wasn’t quite as big an issue earlier in the year.
Ultimately cadets will always be there - yes it might be work to re-recruit and re-build units, but that will be quite a lot harder without current & competent instructors.
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Its been needed for a decade but a pandemics really highlighted it
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It may highlight it, but we all know that all HQAC will care about is the number of cadets.
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surprisingly accurate given it was said 4 months ago, we were in a “eat out to help out” phase and the country was starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel
I know it’s drifting from the topic… But…
I see this as a way of the organisations coming together and merging. Taking the reduced staff and cadets from across the SCC, ACF and ATC and making a “purple” cadet force.
Spending cuts are coming to fund all of the Covid spending, and could see us being rolled together in the next few years.
Just a cynical view.
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I really think they should be doing this anyway to a degree, certainly at an HQ level.
I’ve been saying it since before DYER underlined the point!!!
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Not doom and gloom, a reasonable assessment of the current position especially seeing the rest of europe reacting to the new strain.
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It’s damn accurate. I’m certainly in a position now where I can’t really call my self ‘current’ in most of my AT quals. Certainly going to want to do some CPD before I get back out there taking groups climbing/kayaking/Mountain Biking as I’ve not really had a chance to do any personal stuff over lockdown, let alone group stuff!
Not sure what the rules are for shooting qualifications but I’m guessing a lot of shooting staff will be out of currency too!
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I have never really worked at recruiting. I have worked at getting the unit visible in the community. Cadets will always walk through the door if you have a high profile in the community.
Staffing now that will be a different matter. The recruitment process will need to be speeded up after the pandemic.
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I for one am going to try and help this by putting on some days in the New Year to get people out, but they will always be limited to those close to me due to the overnight restriction.
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And training. It seems to take 3 or even 4 years from walking in the door to confirmation in rank for an officer. SNCO is quicker as there’s not the wait for OASC. It needs to be streamlined. I know I keep banging on about it but a PI rank would help here.
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Sadly I’m not in C&E (W&W?) otherwise I’d be taking every opportunity you give! I think in LaSER unless something changes dramatically it’ll be down to individual WATTOs to sort it out, which for me probably means not seeing any action!
I’ll likely organise some stuff my self outside of cadets with other staff that are friends, even if it’s just going climbing for a day indoors to go though the very basics again with each other just to make sure we’re all good to go! Currently you can only climb with people you live with though so got to wait a while longer yet!
With the changes around BPSS and need for SC, plus the slow DBS it’s still a lengthy process.
Due to a mix of process, paperwork version changes and covid it took over 2 years from initial contact to getting confirmation of appointment as acting Sergeant
Officially if people have used their qualifications in the last 3 years they are fine, they just need to update their WHTs. Unofficially I would hope that people are being sensible about their competency after such long breaks from running ranges/exercises, paying attention to the human factors and Wings/Regions are running a suitable CPD process to get people back up to speed.
I’m already aware of TSAs being a little too vicious with attempting to remove people qualifications and the view should be pragmatic and promote a culture of re-education and development and not just removing quals and blocking training.
There is also a motive for the RCs to keep an eye on this as the new Cmdt has put some pressure on them in this area.
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Too long certainly, but the extra wait for OASC (6 months seems quite common) does drag it out.
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I’m trying to push 2 x officers through before 31 March, discussions started this month and paperwork all going in 1st/2nd week of Jan.
I had forgotten about SC 
and we need the BPSS completed prior to that
My DBS was longest part of the process, have a look at how your local force is doing on gov site but mine was about 2 days away from having to escalate
A question for staff what crossed my mind??
How many staff will be “allowed” to return to pre lockdown attendance levels??
Most people will of spent about a year away from the cadets, will your significant others be willing to accept going away nearly every weekend through the summer again??
Whilst covid has turned our world upside down and gave it a good twist it’s also brought families more together. I can see some “revolt” from the other half’s if this went back to they way it was previously.
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