Careers event 'unashamedly about recruitment' draws hundreds of teenage cadets

Hundreds of teenagers from cadet forces have attended a careers fair showcasing job opportunities in and out of the military – an event organisers described as "unashamedly" about recruitment.

The Armed Forces have previously faced criticism for recruiting under-18s, despite that age group accounting for a significant proportion of new joiners each year.

The event, held in York, also featured non-military employers, including the Police and Fire Service.

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One of the organisers, Simon Banks-Cooper, an honorary colonel in the Army Cadet Force, told BFBS Forces News the focus on promoting military careers is set out in the organisation's charter, which governs the youth movement.

When asked if the event was aimed at recruitment, he said "yes".

"Its purpose is to enable the cadets to capitalise on their cadet experience, get better jobs and get themselves set up for life," Col Banks-Cooper said.

"The cadet force doesn't exist as purely a recruiting tool [for the military]," he went on.

"But the cadet force charter is quite clear: we are to give opportunity to young people to understand and experience what a career in the military would look like."

Personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force attended the event. Army reservists from the Queen's Own Yeomanry also brought along a Jackal assault vehicle, fitted with a general-purpose machine gun, which proved a popular attraction with cadets.

Shayle, 17, said she had already submitted her application and hoped to join the Royal Army Medical Corps.

"I'm currently in a military prep college, which is helping me boost my fitness and stuff.

"I'm planning on going into the Army in January next year."

She added that her time as a cadet had helped prepare her for life in the military, should her application be successful.

"It's given me really good leadership and communication skills, and it's made me come out of my bubble a lot, too."

The UK is the only country in Europe that allows people under the age of 18 to join the Armed Forces. Each year, around a third of all new Army joiners are aged 16 or 17 – officially classed as children under UK law.

Those who enlist under the age of 18 require the consent of a parent or legal guardian, which can be withdrawn at any point before they turn 18.

But Col Banks-Cooper, who does not represent the MOD and was keen to stress he sits outside of the chain of command, says now is the time for parents to consider sending their children along to the cadet forces.

"I would include in that all cadets; clearly, I have a bias towards the Army Cadet Force," he said.

"In the 170 years that the Army Cadet Force has been going, there has not been a better time to join.

"It's not just the benefits to the young people as we come out of the pandemic environment, but the jobs market is getting tighter. So, anything that can help that young person get an employment edge is only a good thing."

The event comes amid renewed scrutiny of the cadet forces, following recent announcements of closures affecting thousands of young people across the UK.

In a recent poll on the BFBS Forces News YouTube channel, almost 30% of respondents said a lack of connection between the military and cadet forces was the biggest issue facing the youth movement.

Kate, 14, is another cadet hoping to join the Army in the future. She said cadets had helped shape her ambitions.

"I came here to be introduced to different aspects and career choices in both the Army and Navy.

"Mostly, I've been interested in the behind-the-scenes roles in the Army; things like engineering and communications."

Kate added that she envisaged joining the Army when she was either 17 or 18 years old.

In 2025, the contribution of the cadet forces was formally recognised in the government's Strategic Defence Review, underlining their role within the wider defence ecosystem.

Two months later, the Ministry of Defence announced a £70 million funding boost for cadets, aimed at increasing youth participation in organisations such as the Army Cadet Force by 30% by 2030.