The newest group of PCYC Queensland Emergency Services cadets see plenty of real-life action, being based at the QPS Academy in Oxley for their weekly training sessions.
The unit, which has been operational since May but which has its official opening next Tuesday, August 22, allows the young recruits to get a first-hand taste of the action.
Sergeant Jamie Downie leads the unit and said he thinks that the QPS Academy as a site for the Cadets was a great way for the young people to see the police service as a whole.
"Our young Cadets see other police officers walking around the academy and really get a sense of what the Cadets could expect if they did come here," Sergeant Downie said.
"There are also often QPS recruits here going through obstacle courses and so on, which the group has been really excited about."
Emergency Services Cadets is a program delivered by PCYC Queensland and funded by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, which operates in 13 locations throughout the state.
The group has already made its mark – at the recent PCYC Queensland Emergency Service Cadet Games, the newest cadet unit received a trophy for teamwork.
Sergeant Downie said July’s Cadet Games gave the group a new focus.
"The week after the games, all of the young people had renewed confidence and they were interacting much more easily with each other – it really broke down any barriers that were there," Sergeant Downie said.
"It’s great to see the growth of the group, their increases in confidence – it is very rewarding."
Cadet Cameron Gough, 16, of Kenmore said he had always wanted to be a police officer – and being a part of the Cadets had strengthened his resolve.
"It has really lived up to my expectations, and I feel like I have had really good insights into the everyday lives of those training to join the police," Cameron said.
"We were already working really well together as a team, and it made us even closer I think.
"I would definitely recommend the Cadets to anyone, it’s fun and teaches, teamwork, public speaking, you’ll form new friendships. It’s great."
Fellow cadet Jaiden Handley, 15, from Ipswich, agreed the Cadet Games was a turning point for the group.
"We really went in as the underdogs and were thrown in at the deep end but we worked together really well and we all really enjoyed it," Jaiden said.
PCYC Queensland CEO Phil Schultz said he admired the young people’s dedication and maturity.
"PCYC Queensland Emergency Service Cadets encourage young people aged 12-17 years to consider a career in the emergency services, engage in community volunteering, bolster resilience through learning emergency response skills and enhance their capacity as young leaders," Mr Schultz said.
"This latest cohort of Cadets will benefit from using state of the art training facilities, and taking up unique opportunities, thanks also to the support of the QPS, Academy staff and all of our partnering Emergency Services.
"We look forward to officially opening this new facility and letting the young people who have been training there demonstrate what they have learned."
