Tackling fires and battling to save a ship from sinking were among the highlights of a visit to HMS Raleigh by students from University Technical College (UTC) Plymouth.
A group of 13 students, who are members of the UTC’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF), spent two days at the base in Torpoint where they experienced training similar to that carried out by the Royal Navy’s new recruits.
In HMS Raleigh’s multi-million pound simulator the Cadets worked together to plug the breaches in the hull and stop the flow of water, while the facility rocked from side to side.
On the demonstration fire-ground the youngsters, aged between 14 and 18, were able to try their hands at putting out a fire using the appropriate extinguisher in a safe and controlled environment.
Cadet Pedro Jorge, aged 15, said: “Our overnight trip to Raleigh was phenomenal. It was a life time opportunity and everyone should have a go.”
The cadets were also able to practise their problem-solving skills using HMS Raleigh’s facilities and were hosted overnight at the National Sea Cadet Centre within the base.
Speaking of her time at HMS Raleigh Cadet Clarissa Mears, aged 16, said: “It pushed my boundaries. It really made a difference and we are stronger as a team.”
There are CCF contingents in over 350 secondary schools all over the UK, offering young people a broad range of challenging, exciting, adventurous and educational activities.
Our aim is to enable the development of personal responsibility, leadership and self-discipline.
Each CCF is an educational partnership between the school and the Ministry of Defence, and a CCF may include Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army or Royal Air Force sections.
UTCs are a new educational concept developed by the Baker Dearing Trust ( www.utcolleges.org ) in response to the continued demands from industry for an increase in the number of well-educated and highly-skilled engineers and technicians.
The Royal Navy offers a range of opportunities in engineering and other technical areas.
The first UTC in the UK opened in Staffordshire in September 2010. UTC Plymouth was the first to open its doors in the South West, in September 2013.
