Skill Force

Skill Force is the Armed Forces Youth Initiative is a MoD sponsored youth initiative, funded from across government by the MoD, DfES and the Invest to Save Budget. This funding is part of the Government wide strategy to assist young people.

People who have recently left the Services deliver skill Force in school. The project aims to make full use of the extensive first class training given to serving Service people. The Armed Forces have considerable expertise in teaching young people from diverse backgrounds.

The Skill Force curriculum has been devised by senior teachers to provide work-related learning and outcomes that future employers would recognise. The emphasis of the scheme is on young people for whom a broader range of Key Skills training is considered more relevant.

Examples of Skill Force are seen in Scotland in North Lanarkshire Schools. See press release.

In England some Education/Business Partnerships run Skill Force programmes including CBEBP (Central Bedfordshire). CBEBP runs distinctive programmes for students for whom traditional schooling is not appropriate. The aim is to increase motivation, skill levels and self-confidence by means of a combination of work experience, tailored courses and traditional lessons.

Skill Force has been developed over a 3-year period, and has recently expanded by a further 11 teams, building on the successful experience of the first 11 teams.

News Release: SE1199/2001
4 May 2001

Joint Attack on Truancy and Exclusion in Scottish Schools

Issued Jointly by the Scottish Executive and the Ministry of Defence

Education Minister Jack McConnell and Defence Minister Dr Lewis Moonie combined forces today to launch a vocational training initiative aimed at reducing truancy and exclusion in Scotland’s schools.

The North Lanarkshire pilot, set up under the Skill Force Initiative, will employ three retired military instructors with adventure pursuit qualifications. Around 80 pupils from four schools will be involved for two years from the beginning of the autumn school term.

By providing challenging vocational training - with the emphasis on team building and leadership - the project hopes to:

Improve attendance and reduce exclusion;
Contribute to a reduction in juvenile crime;
Encourage greater levels of achievement in other subjects; and
Enhance employment skills

Speaking at Coatbridge High School, Mr McConnell said:

"Skill Force can help disruptive young people stay on the right track and raise educational achievement. It’s a new way of keeping them in the system and improving life chances for all.

"It is vital that we act now to tackle exclusion and truancy and promote a positive ethos in our schools. Vital for disruptive children themselves, for the teachers keeping order in the classroom, and for the other children whose education is affected.

"By adapting the curriculum for disaffected youngsters, the programme makes room for activities designed to revive their interest in learning. The goal is to help them achieve their full potential at school, and equip them with the skills and confidence needed once they leave.

"I greatly welcome the contribution from the Ministry of Defence to this pilot exercise. It shows just what can be achieved in practical terms when Scottish Ministers and the UK Government work together."

Dr Moonie said:

"The Skill Force initiative has proved a great success in the English pilot schools. Teachers and parents have reported improvements in attitude, attendance and academic performance. It's good news that Scottish youngsters will now have the chance to benefit from the scheme."

Notes for News Editors

1. Skill Force is an innovative project modelled on a successful US scheme (called Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps – JROTC) where recently retired military instructors are deployed in schools to teach vocational skills.

2. Skill Force is already operating in three schools in each of Newcastle and Norfolk involving 150 children. The North Lanarkshire pilot will be one of a number being introduced at the start of the 2001/02 school session. The Scottish Executive is providing funding of £170,000 for the programme to run at the following schools: Coatbridge High School, Clyde Valley High School, Caldervale High School, Bellshill Academy. North Lanarkshire Council identified the schools in consultation with head teachers.

3. Children selected in S3 will drop two subjects from the curriculum in order to provide the time to participate in Skill Force. The schools will identify those children who it is felt would most benefit from the pilot. Both boys and girls can be included, and parents will have to give their consent before their children can be included.

4. The syllabus will be developed in partnership with the schools. The focus will be on vocational and employment skills, work leading towards the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the St John’s Ambulance Young Lifesavers Award, and outdoor pursuits.