Recommendation 14

The Department said that it is working with the Department for Education to develop the new science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) capabilities, such as drone flying and cyber, which cadets need. This would support the UK’s wider STEM agenda.21 The Department told us that the Cadet Expansion Programme was now UK-wide, and that it had held discussions with the education departments in the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland about it. The response to the programme in the devolved nations had been mixed: the model adopted in Scotland had not proved successful; in Wales there had been a lack of enthusiasm; and while there has been more interest in Northern Ireland, a lack of capacity in the armed forces to support it has restricted further expansion. However, the Council noted that the local knowledge the RFCAs based in the devolved nations had helped with these discussions and that each RFCA employed a school cadet engagement officer.22 Establishing an NDPB