Attention! Military precision is the key for training at new Dudley college
Instead of the typical school subjects, teenagers from across the Black Country are attending a unique school with hopes of following in the footsteps of war heroes.
The Military Preparation College, which is now open in Dudley, is run by ex-military veterans and helps young people aged 16-19 both prepare for future employment and further education, as well as moving into their desired careers in the armed forces.
The college, which opened in July, receives government funding to operate and students spend 50 per cent of each and every day outdoors by taking part in a range of physical training exercises.
There are a total of 20 military preparation colleges across England and Wales.
Instructors work with each young person to help them achieve their best and help them get their foot through the door and into their aspiring career in the armed forces.
Some of the pupils struggled with typical school education and have therefore left or been expelled and have now been enrolled onto the army course.
If the students would rather have a career in another sector besides the army or would rather go straight into everyday work, help and employability skills are provided, along with GCSE qualifications.
There are also military preparation colleges in Wolverhampton at the Newhampton Arts Centre on Dunkley Street and a college in Birmingham at Balaam Wood Academy in Frankley.
Paul Evans, regional manager for Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Dudley military college, said: "For some of the students here school has been tough or they haven't enjoyed it so they have therefore suffered.
"We offer an alternative curriculum which students will enjoy more."
There are a total of 27 centres across the UK that employ 100 staff.
Paul added: "It takes an average of six months before the students are ready to go on into the army.
"They can start any week and leave any week they like."
Two ex-military staff are instructors at the college and assist the youngsters with their heavy physical training schedule. Daniel Cooper, former Royal Fusilier in the army, said: "The students come in as almost fractured eggs that are then nurtured through progression to become complete."
The colleges, which have an 86 per cent progression rate into further education, training or employment, have been rated outstanding by Ofsted. Benjamin Pitts, 16, from Wednesbury, aspires to become a soldier in the second battalion parachute regiment.
He said: "I've learned all the necessary skills needed for the application process to finally get into the job I want in the army."
For information, go to mpct.co.uk
