A student at the Shotton Learning Centre in Deeside has been awarded by the Army for being their best female pupil on a recent residential course.
Lauren Jones, 15, from Mold conducted work experience with a difference when she signed up to a five day residential Army Insight Course at Kinmel Camp in Bodelwyddan, joining other pupils from across North and Mid Wales. Lauren had to undergo an interview before being selected for this sought after placement, to check her suitability.
Lauren joined 14 to 16 year olds from schools and further education colleges, and all were given a true taste of what Army life is like, working alongside Regular and Territorial Army soldiers for the whole week.
Each day there was no ‘easy going’ on all the pupils; they were woken up at 6am, ready to begin another day’s training, and they worked late into each evening. During the week they learnt a range of essential skills such as team work, communication, fitness, leadership and problem solving; and for two nights they conducted activities including building shelters, cooking in the field, camouflage and concealment, and patrolling.
On the final evening there were two presentations; best male student and best female student. Lauren beat stiff competition to win ‘best female pupil’, and the training team commented that she deserved this recognition for all her effort throughout the week. Lauren received her award and certificate from Private Luke Robinson, a member of the training team who said “This is an outstanding achievement for Lauren, who has had no previous experience of the Army, so this was all new to her.”
Councillor Nigel Steele-Mortimer, Executive Member for Education at Flintshire County Council said: “This has been a wonderful opportunity for Lauren, and a great personal achievement. Lauren loved the course and we are grateful to the Army for offering young people such excellent work experience; so much so, that Lauren is now considering an Army career!”
Major Rick Kalewski, Army Careers Advisor said: “The pupils were put through their paces during their week of work experience and although it is demanding and challenging, it is also a lot of fun, good experience and most of all it allows young people to use those essential skills and qualities they will need to demonstrate in the future regardless of their career path. The Insight Course is a unique chance for pupils to get a feel of what being part of the Army involves and the fantastic opportunities in careers available for them. We find that there are lots of preconceptions of Army life but during the week, the pupils are surprised to learn that there are so many career options available to them in the Army.”
