Air-PTS ??? And how would this replace classifications?
A lot of the subjects currently covered under classifications would fit nicely into an Air-PTS. In fact, not moving them over could lead to duplication and / or confusion as to the purpose of an Air-PTS alongside an aviation theory heavy classification syllabus.
What I’d like to see is all the aviation stuff moved over to Air-PTS and for classification training to return to the induction / 1st class subjects — such as general service knowledge, ranks, map reading, uniform, etc. — but covered at a higher level. Like how the star training in the Army Cadets returns to the same subjects but at progressively higher levels for each star (or at least that’s how it used to be).
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Based on the way the original post is worded I think that’s what “air-PTS” is, the new aerospace syllabus, which is due to replace the current classification system. Likely just a change to content to enable the new aerospace BTEC.
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Does the RAFAC know what it wants from “Training”? PTS has grown in an organic and unplanned manner and now covers many of the subjects that were traditionally “classification” and sometimes niche. We do more formalised training now and less activities. AEF was just a jolly in a chipmunk. Now we have a Air-PTS.
And there is the problem, there seems to be a decline in classification training to more PTS badge collecting.
There should be a firm change of direction to push classification training over PTS……
I just hope we make everything easy, because the sheer breadth of stuff we need to cover in order to keep cadets happy is quite overwhelming, in addition to all the other stuff we need to do.
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Or a firm change of direction to push PTS, and drop outdated classification training…
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PTS was a necessary change but it’s now running out of steam & no longer deliverable. Unfortunately it’s descending into tick box bottle necks unable to stretch to four levels
Classifications is fine at 1st class & leading & then it starts to struggle.
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Personal opinion.
We really need to assess whether the majority of the organisation, presumably neither trained teachers nor SMEs, are ever in a position to deliver BTEC-level study.
Some of these things could be higher-level courses run for cadets with solid chances of going into industry or the services, but once we get them past leading cadet, it’s not something we can reliably deliver without specialist interest or professional competency / higher education.
On brassard badges, I’d personally favour rolling most things back into the core classifications, so instead of badge hunting and cadets feeling like they’re stagnating, we can award points (and a certain baseline) for each level so that core subjects must form a solid part, but then they can follow their interests for the rest of it.
I’d also use more junior ranks as waypoints for earlier training so they have a few more rewards for progression to keep them happy before they’re mature enough to hold JNCO rank.
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I wouldn’t say there was a decline in classification training. What I’m finding is CBA attitude to taking the exams. It truly baffles me why a cadet will sit thorough 4/5 lessons and then not be bothered to sit an exam?
Until, that is, they need the next classification as a pre-requisite for a course or camp they want to do, then its…
“Sir, how do I get my next classification?”
“How about you take the exams that I released to you when we did classification training last winter 
“
We should go back to sitting them down for invigilated exams.
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Or, and I really don’t want to sound like a broken record here, but we invest in staff development and training appropriate to delivering fun, engaging and practical skills to teenagers.
As I’ve said previously, our CFAV training and induction process, nor our ongoing mandatory training, offers literally no insight in working with young people. Leaving staff falling into the trap of delivering subjects how they were taught at school X years ago, or reading from nonsensical PowerPoints without the skills, knowledge or experience of delivering the subject knowledge required.
If we can upskill staff, we and move away from the boring death by powerpoint model, there may even be a chance of meeting then 30:30 target too.
I would be happy to move classification more formally over to a PTS style of delivery. 1st class is Blue, Leading is Bronze, but for Silver and Gold you should really be looking at Wg/Rg level courses delivered by actually SMEs with the appropriate background, resources and interest in making the subjects enjoyable and engaging.
This has the added benefit of reducing the burden/pressure at squadron level, and could potentially free up parade evenings to explore other things.
Bringing it back to the QAIC/JL aspects, I would also piggyback both of these courses to aide in delivery of the PTS style classification training run at Wg/Rg level.
It was always promised that QAIC would deliver activities at Sqn and Wg level - but on the ground we simply didn’t see them. And having them as “the most senior and qualified cadets we have” often meant their shelf life was limited… dare I suggest a QAIC-lite? A silver level QAIC course which can be delivered in a shorter time frame to more cadets? Building on the higher level classification training subjects, giving those 15/16 year old cadets something to strive for which isn’t reliant on VGS or AEF spaces, but which can then be better utilised in delivery of this stuff?? Then a QAIC Gold course for those who’ve completed Silver AND demonstrated excellent delivery AND are somehow still interested in this aerospace stuff we’re meant to be good at???
Or is that too much change….
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This is fair.
I was speaking with my local ACF colleagues and they confirmed that their first two weekends of training when they join are about being an adult volunteer and delivering their core syllabus.
I think we need a first class and leading training programme for new staff, because trying to train them up locally can be just another job we can’t really do in the moment.
Then at senior and master level, we could offer specific courses (because we don’t need to teach them all — can be led by staff interest).
Whatever is optimal for an intensive “train the trainer” programme to set people off on the right foot.
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Something along these lines has already been trialled in HIOW Wg. Called Junior QAIC and Intermediate QAIC.
This is just a local thing, nothing to do with the national coursem
To provide some sort of aerospace output as we have 2 aerospace centres
That’s how JL started
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Speaking to my Aviation Officer, his understanding is that Air PTS is going to be Aerospace focused and will be a precursor to QAIC so to be something similar to a Junior QAIC
So not the replacement for the current classification syllabus? Or both…?
I think unless you are part of the QAIC DS you probably have almost no idea…
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I think this sums up the problem with training in the RAFAC at the moment, there is no focus on what we as an organisation wants to achieve with the training syllabus.
When I was a cadet we had projects and classification training. Then B-Tecs came in and finally the PTS. The PTS has grown and evolved into areas that are covered by classification training with no discussion on what to do with the subjects that are covered twice. Things like radio and space are taught in two different places on our cadet training. Thing have been further confused by RAFAC Astra and what the Government and MoD want from the cadet forces. Air, Space and Cyber and 30x30.
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