Before the start of COVID-19 pandemic, Captain Liam O’Loughlin and his partner Lieutenant Lewis Norwood decided to take on the challenge of starting the City & Guilds Level 5 (Affiliateship) in Leadership and Management.
Liam also started as a CVQO learner as a cadet in 2007 and credits his progression largely to the BTEC Diploma in Public Services he gained at the time. Here is his story:
“Initially, we enrolled on this course to build up our CVs and experience in leadership and management; we are both in managerial positions and this enabled us to show our potential.
“Due to our busy work life with the South East Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (SERFCA) in the Communications Department, we didn’t have much time to complete all sections of the course. However, during the lockdown period, we had the perfect opportunity to finish it.
“The City & Guilds Professional Recognition Awards have helped us reflect on leadership decisions we have made in the past, and will help future progression in the Association as well as progressing within the Army Cadet Force.
“In my role as County Adjutant, I manage the administration on behalf of the Cadet Commandant, as well as my own team. This qualification will enable me to further my progression in the Army Cadet Force towards becoming a Company Commander.
“Both myself and Lewis live together, work together at SERFCA and volunteer with the Army Cadet Force. I am currently the County Adjutant and Lewis is the County Public Relations Officer for Oxfordshire Army Cadet Force.
“I would like to make a special mention to our CVQO mentors (Graham and Ann) who were fantastic throughout the process and were always on hand to assist were necessary.”
“Back when I was an Army Cadet in 2007-2010 with Humberside and South Yorkshire ACF, I had the opportunity to complete the BTEC First Diploma in Public Services (Level 2) with CVQO alongside my APC Syllabus Training. I managed to achieve Merit grade.
“During my school years, I struggled with GCSEs and didn’t achieve the grades which I needed to attend Hull College for the BTEC National Diploma in Public Services. However, thanks to CVQO I was able to complete the Course and achieved triple distinctions in all subjects.
“Without the BTEC First Diploma in Public Services (Level 3), I wouldn’t have been able to start and complete my Level 3 course at Hull College.
“This, in turn gave me 360 UCAS Points which enabled me to start a Degree in Law with Hull University, however after a year into this course, I decided it wasn’t for me, and instead I completed a Foundation Degree in Criminology (Policing) back at Hull College.”