Local Volunteer Celebrates Success
Local Volunteer Celebrates Success
The Commanding Officer of 861 (Wideopen) Squadron Air Cadets, Flight Lieutenant James Elliott, recently graduated with a Licentiateship of the City and Guilds Institute in Youth Leadership and Training which was undertaken through the Cadet Vocational Qualifications Organisation.
The graduation ceremony took place at RAF College Cranwell and James was presented his award by Admiral the Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC DUniv who was previously the Undersecretary of State for the Home Office and First Sea Lord. In order to achieve this prestigious qualification, James was required to write a detailed reflective report on his service in the Air Training Corps as a Commissioned Officer covering subject areas such as self management, task management and collaborative working.
Flight Lieutenant Elliott, in his civilian job, works at South Tyneside Council as the Emergency Planning and Response Coordinator. The Council recognised the importance of James’ voluntary work in the Air Cadets and the wide ranging benefits it brings the Council by supporting the cost of the award. James’ manager, Mr Andrew Wainwright, attended the graduation ceremony at RAF College Cranwell and said “The work that James does in his role as a Commanding Officer in the Air Cadet Organisation is fantastic and brings great benefit to the young people of local communities. His commitment to his voluntary work is recognised in this impressive qualification and we were happy to support his endeavours. The skills that he continues to develop in the cadets are completely transferrable to his work at the Council, particularly for emergency response where a cool, level head is required to make decisions under great pressure.”
After receiving his award, Flight Lieutenant Elliott said “I am thrilled to receive this award in such impressive surroundings at RAF College Cranwell. It is great to know that as a Cadet Forces Adult Volunteer, I can work towards and achieve real qualifications based on voluntary work which are recognised in the real world and help to enhance my CV. In particular, I would like to thank my employer, South Tyneside Council, for their support of my voluntary career and particularly to my line manager, Andrew, for agreeing to finance this qualification and for coming down to RAF College Cranwell to enjoy the graduation ceremony with me”.
The Air Cadet Organisation is a voluntary youth organisation based on and supported by the Royal Air Force with Squadrons around Durham and Northumbria and is open to all young people aged 13-20 years. The Air Cadets offers a wide range of activities ranging from flying, to adventure training, to the Duke of Edinburgh Award and BTEC qualifications. 861 (Wideopen) Squadron is currently recruiting and is located in a brand hew headquarters facility behind Woodlands Hall, Wideopen, North Tyneside. The unit meets every Monday and Thursday, 7-9.30pm and is open to new recruits aged 13 to 17 years old. More information can be found at the Squadrons website at www.861atc.org and any queries should be sent to 861@aircadets.org.
