Eighteen young Tasmanians commenced a Vocational Education and Training (VET) program leading to a Certificate 1 in Defence Force Cadets in Hobart last week.

This unique program operates through a relationship between Claremont College and Anglesea Barracks with personnel from each of the three services and Defence Force Recruiting assisting college staff.

The students, aged 17 to 19 years, undertake a range of Defence-related activities to qualify under this program which is designed specifically for students to learn more about the ADF and explore possible career opportunities. These activities ensure that the students meet ADF entry requirements.

Bushwalking, navigation, teamwork and team building, history, service structure and ranks, parade skills and physical fitness are among the topics covered in the program which constitutes 25 per cent of the students’ workload for the year.

Claremont College’s VET coordinator, Mr Patrick Sullivan, said the new intake is the eighth since the program began. He said that during the year, the students become great ambassadors for the college through their involvement in activities in their city, including marching in parades and assisting with events like Anzac Day and Legacy Week.

“These students tend to stand out on campus through their standard of presentation and self-discipline,” he said.

The new students were presented with vests and a compendium in front of a large crowd of parents, friends, college and ADF personnel as well as representatives from Legacy and the RSL.

A perpetual trophy for exemplary leadership was presented to Sophie Briggs, a graduate from the 2013 intake.

Ms Briggs addressed the gathering saying how much she had both enjoyed the training and had benefitted from it. She advised the new students to “take every opportunity” that the program offers.