Presided over by the charity’s chairman, The Lord Lingfield, CVQO’s annual graduation ceremony took place at RMA Sandhurst on Friday 10 October.
Over 60 graduate volunteers from all cadet forces celebrated receiving their City and Guilds and ILM qualifications, as recognition for their hard work and time spent mentoring cadets nationwide. Graduates arrived at RMA Sandhurst’s famous Old College building for welcome drinks in the morning, before moving to the Royal Memorial Chapel for the Graduation Ceremony.
CVQO Chairman The Lord Lingfield opened proceedings, before handing over to Chief Executive Guy Horridge to announce the nominal roll. Honoured guests, Peter Williams, Master at the Worshipful Company of Educators, and Chris Stephens, Director at City and Guilds were also on hand to offer their congratulations.
Speaking at the event, Michael Gove MP said:
"Today is a fantastic day to celebrate the achievement and the commitment of the people that do so much to provide young people across the country with an example to look up to.
"Cadet forces do an enormous amount to help instill character in young people and provide them with opportunities they wouldn't otherwise enjoy. Those volunteers who make sure cadet forces work are heroes and heroines of every community. Any chance to celebrate them and also to recognise that they are passing on really valuable skills that will have a dramatic effect on the employability and future of young people is worth taking.
"One of the great things about CVQO is that it provides a recognition for those people who have that twin spirit; the spirit of educators, but also that spirit that comes from recognising the advantage of a military ethos in cultivating self-discipline, resilience, grit and character.
"The people we are celebrating today are people who take time out of their leisure time in order to help inspire young people and it is absolutely right that we should celebrate what they do - they are the best of Britain."