RAF Air Cadets RAF Air Cadets Award

Why this award?

As a Cadet you'll have the opportunity to do things that others only dream about. Want real flight experience? No problem. How about heading out on adventurous training and camps, sometimes overseas? Normal for Cadets. Competitive sports, drill, shooting, music, abseiling, engineering projects? Our list of activities is long, varied and open to all Cadets. Yes it's a challenge, but that's what life's all about.

Aside from all the great experiences and new skills you'll gain as an Air Cadet, you can also take away real qualifications that will set you apart from the crowd when you head to university or begin your chosen career.

For starters there's the Duke of Edinburgh's Award that employers everywhere recognise as a great achievement. You can take on the challenge as part of your adventurous training, working your way up through the levels all the way to Gold - something to be really proud of.

But did you know there's also:

Leadership training, where you can really prove your worth as leader - a skill that will build your confidence and your ability to deal with different kinds of people. If you can handle it you could get to the Junior Leaders course - it's gruelling, but what you get out of it will be invaluable to you for the rest of your life..

BTECs are always popular and a widely recognised qualification - more than 4,000 Cadets have registered for the Diploma in Teamwork and Personal Development in the Community (L2 / SCQF 5) and over 6,000 have signed up for the First Diploma in Aviation Studies. 

First Aid is another essential skill you can pick up - train in this important area and you may be awarded a certificate from St Johns Ambulance. If those skills were called upon you could make all the difference in a life or death situation.

City & Guilds - cadets can also benefit from certain vocational qualifications in management, as can our volunteers.

Who is it for?

In Scotland there are 107 Squadrons and 13 Detached Flights offering opportunities for young people between the ages of 12 and 20.

What time commitment is required?

Squadrons meet on a weekly basis, whilst some courses and camps run over the weekends and during the school holidays.

Is the award externally accredited?

In addition to the Air Cadets syllabus, the opportunity is provided to achieve externally recognised awards such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and qualifications such as Air Cadet Aviation Practice Awards and BTEC Diplomas.

Case study: Cadet SQA qualifications