Sodexo UK & Ireland is celebrating the UK’s first National Cadets Week by announcing 25 fully-funded foundation apprenticeships for Cadet Forces and 10 paid volunteering days for Cadet Force Adult Volunteers employed at the company.
The eight-month apprenticeship programmes will be available nationally for cadet leavers, aged 18 and over, and will be funded through Sodexo’s apprenticeship programme. These will be delivered as a mix of structured learning, coaching, and hands-on experience, equipping young people to build careers in food services or facilities management.
Sodexo has also announced that it has extended its Reservist Leave policy, providing an additional 10 days of flexible paid leave for Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
Inspired by conversations over the past 18 months with the Ministry of Defence, Cadet Forces and other military personnel, this offer from Sodexo reflects an ongoing ambition for the company to be viewed as one of the best employers of veterans, reservists, military families and cadets in the UK.
There will be a range of programmes available for cadets, such as training to become a Commis Chef, to work in frontline facilities management, or in hospitality, each of which could result in opportunities to continue working in the Defence sector.
This change will alleviate pressures on existing cadet volunteers employed by Sodexo, who would usually use annual leave days to volunteer, and their families, while also encouraging more colleagues to take up volunteering with the Cadet Forces.
Sodexo has been a long-standing partner of the UK Armed Forces for more than 30 years, currently providing a range of Food, Soft FM, and Hard FM services in more than 50 military sites in the UK, Cyprus, and the Falkland Islands.
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.”
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 also pledged to provide chef masterclasses to a range of cadet units, in partnership with the Ministry of Defence, free packed lunches and food supplies for the Army Cadets at Colchester Garrison for the next 12 months, and voluntary work with Newton-Le-Willows Sea Cadets to help repair, paint, and decorate some of the old buildings.
Photo: Lt. Matthew Sumner-Thorpe RNR, Commanding Officer at Newton-Le-Willows Sea Cadets, receiving his 6-year service Clasp last week, celebrating 18 years of service. Standing next to LtCdr John Unsworth, Senior Prisoner Custody Officer at HMP Forest Bank. Credit: Newton-Le-Willows Sea Cadets.
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