An international music academy with roots in Nottinghamshire has called on recruiters to consider the untapped potential of current and former Cadets.
Paul Hose, founder of Music Learning Collective, said he was “blown away” by the confidence and attitude of young people he saw during a weekend training camp with Nottinghamshire Army Cadets.
The education and training provider, which has centres in West Bridgford and Nottingham as well as Turin, Italy, and Marseille, France, has since employed two Cadets as instructors, and it is encouraging others to follow in its footsteps.
Skilled workers
Paul said: “During the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of people left the creative sector because they couldn’t afford to stay in it. At the same time, there was a national shortage of teachers.
“So, as part of our business strategy, we decided that if we can’t recruit ready-made people, we would recruit young people who have the core skills and develop them.
“With Cadets, they have things that, as an adult, you take for granted. Things like resilience, timekeeping, the confidence to ask questions and also a certain willingness to be guided and taught.
“Also, in their Junior and Senior Cadet Instructor courses, they’re taught to write lesson plans – that translates into teenagers with mini project management qualifications.”
He added: “Hiring them is a win-win. Our business has a strategy, and it needs new teachers, and we can offer these youngsters not just Saturday jobs, but the opportunity for a career.”
Since first coming into contact with the Army Cadets in 2021, Music Learning Collective has forged a strong, mutually beneficial relationship with the youth group.
As well as employing two Cadets – one of whom is about to begin a funded undergraduate music teaching course – the music firm has also donated and repaired instruments for the Army Cadets.
Tempted by the opportunity to give back, Paul has also become a Cadet Volunteer.
Known by his peers as Second Lieutenant Hose, he has risen through the ranks to become the Detachment Commander for Wigman Road Detachment in Nottingham.
He added: “We are a small business and we can make an important change, but not on a huge scale. But, if we can work with half a dozen Cadets from the Army Cadets, we will do that.”
Conversation with Cadets
The Music Learning Collective shared their experience with companies such as Bosch, Gleeds, Sandicliffe and Tesla during a recent ‘Conversation with Cadets’ careers event held by Nottinghamshire Army Cadets at Foresters House, Chilwell.
Now in its 10th year, the annual event gives Senior Cadets the ability to showcase their skills to employers and employers the platform to pitch to skilled workers of the future.
In recent years, the event has led to work experience opportunities, employability workshops and job offers. In 2024, two representatives from the emergency services were so taken aback by the Cadets that they signed up to become Cadet Volunteers.
Colonel Mitch McGuire is the Commandant of Nottinghamshire Army Cadets, overseeing 790 Cadets and 162 Cadet Volunteers across 26 Detachments.
She said: “Conversation with Cadets is about opening doors and trying to get young people to recognise the opportunities that are out there for them, whether that’s work in the public or private sector or military service.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never met a former Cadet who’s unemployed, but this is about giving them more confidence and more options.
“And for those who do offer a Cadet an opportunity, they’re going to get somebody that turns up every day, on time, well-dressed, well-mannered, someone who’s respectful and a good communicator.”
Watch: Why your business should consider hiring Cadets
