Paul Oginsky of the Young Adult Trust answers a selection of questions that you asked here.
Pisaboy: Great speech at conference Paul. I remember you saying you were in the Paras- My favourite part of the idea is the military service bit. Do you think that could be a bigger element than currently proposed without it putting strain on our forces?
Every sector (including the military) has something to offer and something to gain from NCS. The military’s contribution will be focused in the ‘challenge’ section of the programme where they have a great deal of expertise. In this way NCS will not overstretch the military and it will become one of the most enjoyable and rewarding parts of service life. It is also recognized however that ex-service personnel have an enormous amount to offer throughout the NCS programme.
Baskerville: Would you agree that a National Citizenship Service should not be organised centrally, but locally? My preference would be to base it on counties, but I'd like to hear your views. Also, what should be the public/private/charitable mix and how would you ensure it was achieved?
You have correctly identified some of the key questions for the implementation of NCS. We have set up an accreditation working group lead by Joe Gordon of PricewaterhouseCoopers to ensure effective local delivery and the successful businessman Kim Taylor Smith is leading a working group which will make recommendations on logistical systems.
Anthony Broderick: A lot of schools seem to be keen on cutting down their summer holidays and spreading the holiday time throughout the rest of the year. Wouldn't that be a fly in the ointment for this? I'd love to see this as a compulsory gap year that gave people life experience (and I agree that military training should be a big part), but I suppose you ruled that out for being too radical?
As the programme becomes embedded, schools, business, the voluntary sector, the military and everyone will recognize the hugely positive impact it will be having on British life. They will get behind the collective effort and play their part in its delivery. NCS does have some key elements but beyond them the programme is meant to be flexible and as such it will adaptable to local need and to any changes in the school term.
Recent Comments