Army Foundation College

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Army Foundation College Harrogate AFC(H)
AFC Logo
Founded 1947 As the Army Apprentices School, Harrogate
Country United Kingdom
Size 1300 Soldiers Under Training, 500 Permanent Staff
Part of British Armed Forces
HQ Initial Training Group ITG
Motto Trust, Courage, Team Spirit
Insignia
Welcome Board
Welcoming board in Penny Pot Lane, alongside the new entrance to Uniacke Barracks - October 2004.

The Army Foundation College in Harrogate AFC(H) trains future soldiers from all cap badges except the Royal Military Police. School leavers aged between 16 and 17 years and one month of age are eligible to join, the AFC(H) offers young men and women the opportunity to learn as you earn. Through military training and vocational education, Soldiers under Training gain the soldering skills needed for the British Army.

Situated in Uniacke Barracks, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, AFC(H) opened in 1998. The barracks was notably and continually used for trainee Junior Soldiers from 1947 until August 1996, being part of the Army Apprentices School, Harrogate which was later renamed the Army Apprentices College, Harrogate.

Contents

[edit] Mission

To train and educate junior soldiers in order to:

    • Meet the output standards required by Common Military Syllabus (H)
    • Provide the necessary inflow to Phase 2
    • Inculcate and develop the habit of soldiering
    • Develop recognisable leadership potential

[edit] Training

All soldiers under training must complete Phase 1 training before moving on to a Phase 2 (special to arms) training establishment. Training Includes:

    • Skill at Arms – Learning to use the Army’s infantry weapon, the SA80 A2
    • Fieldcraft – Learning to live, eat and survive in the field
    • Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear Defence CBRN – Learning to survive & fight in a contaminated environment
    • First Aid – Learning to treat casualties in a battlefield situation
    • Physical Fitness – A structured programme to improve physical fitness with sessions in the gym as well as swimming, sports and other outdoor activities. Soldiers under Training have to pass a series of tests to be a soldier in the Army

On top of the basic Phase 1 course, which lasts for 20 weeks, Junior Soldiers undertake an extra 22 weeks at AFC(H), this includes Vocational Education, Military Studies, and Leadership and Initiative Training before further Phase 2 training at the appropriate Army Training Regiment (ATR).

[edit] Vocational Education

Treated as Adult Learners all Soldiers under Training at AFC(H) undertake Vocational Education (VE), designed to help young soldiers to train for their future jobs within whichever cap badge they have chosen. The VE programme has proven to aid promotion for soldiers trained at AFC(H). Wherever possible, learning materials will involve real military documents, exercises and working situations.

The AFC(H) tries to gain all Soldiers under Training additional qualifications, and tutors, are employed to aid course planning. Additional learning support is available for soldiers with specific learning difficulties or basic skills deficiencies.

Soldiers do an Apprenticeship for IT Users, which includes a Level 2 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ2) for IT Users. There is also the opportunity to do units of this at Level 3 (equivalent to AS/A level) and to gain the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) and Advanced ECDL.

Application of Number and Communication Skills – Maths and English as used in an Army career. Soldiers with no previous qualifications will get to Level 1 or Level 2 (GCSE standard). Those with a GCSE or equivalent pass already will work towards Level 3

Soldiers capbadged to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and Royal Engineers will do an additional Technical Course which includes another NVQ2, in Performing Engineering Operations (PEO2), this involves working in the workshops.

[edit] Military Studies

AFC(H) Military Studies, soldiers learning arout the British system of government in the Elles theatre.
AFC(H) Military Studies,
soldiers learning arout the British system of government in the Elles theatre.

Military Studies (MS) Instructor Officers from the Educational and Training Services Branch, teach soldiers about the military. Subjects include:

    • Core Values – The Core Values of the British Army
    • Terrorism - Types of terrorism and tactics used by both sides
    • Northern Ireland Conflict – A brief history of Northern Ireland & The Troubles

In addition to the classroom education, all soldiers go to Normandy on a Realities of War expedition to see the Core Values in the actions of those that fought in the Invasion of Normandy

[edit] Leadership and Initiative Training

AFC(H) High Ropes, designed to put soldiers out of their 'comfort zones'. Aiding coaching in a safe, yet pressured environment.
AFC(H) High Ropes,
designed to put soldiers out of their 'comfort zones'. Aiding coaching in a safe, yet pressured environment.

Leadership and Initiative Training (L&IT) aims to take Soldiers and develop them as team leaders and team members. This development takes place over five, one week, packages spread over the year so that Soldiers have a chance to consolidate and build on areas before returning. Packages are:

    • Package 1 & 3 – Introduction to Hillwalking, Caving, Kayaking/Canoeing and Rock-Climbing
    • Package 2 – Introduction to Planning, Command Tasks, Ex SANGIN RESUPPLY, High Ropes and Final Race
    • Package 4 - Navigation, Ex TEAM CHALLENGE, March and Shoot, Ex FAST TRACK and Final Race
    • Package 5 – Duke of Edinburgh Expedition, Ex JUNIOR LONG REACH, and Final Challenge

[edit] Permanent Staff (PS)

PS are hand picked from the British Army and represent most cap badges on offer, the PS represent their parent unit whilst serving at AFC(H) and as such it is considered a great honour to serve at AFC(H.)

Command Development Whilst ‘Character Development’ is what the AFC seeks to achieve with soldiers under training, ‘Command Development’ is the term used for the training that members of Permanent Staff must undertake. Training includes:

  • Mandatory Professional Development. Providing the motivational tools to help leaders/instructors gain the best from soldiers under training
    • ASLS package
    • AFC Induction Course
    • AFC Coaching Workshops
  • Personal Development
    • Literacy & Numeracy Basic Skills
    • European Computer Driving Licence(ECDL)
    • JNCO/SNCO CLM
    • Teaching & Coaching qualifications
    • Languages
    • Learn Direct
    • Health & Safety
    • NEBOSH
    • Sports coaching qualifications
  • Instructor Skills & Qualifications
    • Skill At Arms
    • Battlefield Casualty Drills Trainer
    • CBRN
    • Drill commands
    • Map Reader Instructor's Course
    • Mountain Leader Training
    • Section Commander's Battle Course
    • Live Firing Tactical Trainer
    • BNSS
    • Adventure Training
    • Equal Opportunities & Diversity
  • Leadership/Professional Development
    • CO’s and OCs’ Study Days
    • PS Realities Of War tours

[edit] See also

The Association of Harrogate Apprentices which also includes general History etc. of the site.

[edit] External links