Jamie: Joined the RAF as a Driver

Continuing on from our student profiles, today we speak to Jamie, a QPD graduate who has gone onto a career in the RAF as a Driver. He shares with us what drove him to choose a career in the Military, as well as sharing advice around application process and how QPD helped him in that journey.

What area of the military are you joining?

The RAF as a driver

What made you want to join the Military?

I thought it was a good life choice. I also wanted to travel.

Tell us about your experience of the selection process?

The process does feel like it takes a long time,  but I felt it was easy enough to pass. Some advice I would give is to be organised and be on top of your paperwork.

Tell us about your time at QPD?

Really good, I learned a lot of skills that helped me for when I got to basic training in the Military. I enjoyed the different activities that we did and the fitness really prepared me for my training.

What did you enjoy most about being at QPD?

I enjoyed all of it but mostly the mud run as it was a good experience.

What made you come to QPD before joining the Military?

My teacher at School suggested QPD to me and it sounded good and better than going to a normal college.

What are you most excited about when joining the Military?

Travelling, definitely.

Top tip or piece of advice for anyone considering joining the Military?

Take on board the advice that the staff offer you at QPD.

We wish Jamie all the best with his career in the RAF!

If you want to find out more about QPD, the courses we offer and how we can help you find out more about a potential career in the Military, please see our courses page.

To keep up to date with what we’re up to at the minute, please follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

Dylan: Joining the Amry Air Corps

Making the decision to join the Military can be a daunting decision. Where do you start? How do you know what it will really be like before you join? This is where we’re here to help. We sit down with Dylan, a recent leaver from QPD, who joined our course before securing his position within the Army Air Corps. He’s going to chat us through the application process (through a national pandemic too!). Read on to hear how QPD helped him whilst he was waiting to join.

What made you want to join the Military?

The Army Careers videos on YouTube really inspired me.

Tell us about your experience of the selection process?

The online form was easy. I was invited to attend an interview in Edinburgh. The two day interview went well until the medical, which put my application on hold.

Due to Covid, I was not able to complete the medical and further interviews were cancelled and put on hold.

Whilst everything was on hold, I didn’t know what to do, as I wasn’t sure how long I would be waiting for my Army application to complete.

It was when my Mum went into the local Army careers office, to drop off some ID for me,  she was told about QPD and how it might help me whilst waiting for things with my application to progress.

Whilst at QPD, I had a call at Christmas inviting me for another interview at Litchfield. This was a one day interview, the issues that seemed to prevent my application moving in the summer was no longer a concern. I was informed that my fitness put me at a Level B, this meant that I could apply for the Army Air Corps as I met their fitness level criteria.

Tell us about your time at QPD?

My time at the QPD was a completely new experience for me. From the drill, to making new friends and going out of my comfort zone to push myself in ways I never could have before. It has been a lot of fun, relaxed and supportive. They teach you to respect everyone, regardless of background, ability, fitness and academic ability. We all have our strengths and when you work as part of a team we all bring something different.

What did you enjoy most about being at QPD?

It has to be making new friends. Competitions between the other QPD sites. Remaking of the Christmas truce and the ‘Tough Enough’ day.

What made you come to QPD before joining the Military?

My mum suggested it to me after she was told about it. After attending my interview I was very excited and eager to get on board. College didn’t make me feel that way.

What are you most excited about when joining the Military?

Meeting the new team, new people, new routines and getting stuck in.

Top tip or piece of advice for anyone considering joining the Military?

Do it!! Focus on the task ahead. Get into a routine and switch on - you soon learn that from Staff Leggott! Exercise and push yourself.

We wish Dylan all the best fin the Army and beyond!

If you want to find out more about QPD, the courses we offer and how we can help you find out more about a potential career in the Military, please see our courses page.

To keep up to date with what we’re up to at the minute, please follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

Bobbie: Joining the Army as a Royal Artillery Light Gunner

Ever wondered what it might be like to go through the selection process for the Military and how QPD can help in that process? We sit down with Bobbie, a recent leaver from QPD, who has spent time on the course and is imminently joining the British Army as a Royal Artillery Light Gunner.

What made you want to join the Military, Bobbie? 

I’ve wanted to join since I was about 7 years old. My dad inspired me to join through sharing lots of stories of his experience when he was in. 

Tell us about your experience of the selection process?

The selection process was slower than I expected, especially the medical, which took around 5 hours – it was fine though. Everyone I came across seemed nice.

Tell us about your time at QPD?

My time at QPD has been the best experience in my life so far. I’ve met some good mates, and all the staff there are really motivating – they know how to get you on your feet. The PT sessions were really good too. Before I went to QPD I couldn’t even run for two minutes! They really helped improve my fitness. I would definitely recommend it to anyone thinking about joining the Military.

What did you enjoy most about being at QPD?

The best thing about going to QPD is that there is never a dull day. It’s always fun and exciting!

What made you come to QPD before joining the Military?

I had heard good things about QPD and felt it would help get my fitness to where it needed to be, as well as helping learn more about the Military before I joined.

What are you most excited about when joining the Military?

I can’t wait to meet new people and learn new things. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for years, and can’t believe it’s finally here!

We wish Bobbie all the best with her career, with the Army and look forward to, hopefully, catching up with her in the future to hear about all the exciting things she’s getting up to.

If you want to find out more about QPD, the courses we offer and how we can help you find out more about a potential career in the Military, please see our courses page.

To keep up to date with what we’re up to at the minute, please follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

CONGRATUALTIONS TO SIAN!

After much hard work preparing for her assessments and getting through basic training, she can now call herself an Aircraftman in the RAF!

Sian has been a fantastic student who has worked so hard to make it through all of her assessments and now reaps the benefits of that work. Wether it’s staying late to use the treadmill with Staff Wilson or putting her all into her college work, Sian was always focused.

We’re confident that Sian will go onto great things in the RAF and we can’t wait to hear back from her!

Good luck from everybody at QPD, Sian!

We're back underway!

Following a long unintended break, we’re back inside and getting our students prepared for their military career ahead! We are thrilled to be back and training again, it’s been a long absence and it’s great to see everybody’s faces in person! We have so much planned over the next few months and can’t wait for some exciting activities and trips.

Next up… The famous mud run! along the muddy shores of Brough, we’ll be dragging our feet through the slippery and sticky muddy valleys. An opportunity to get some hilarious photos and some serious character building. You’ll be cold and muddy, but it will all be worth it come the end!

So much to look forward to and we’ll keep everybody updated with what else we have planned.

Although we’re back we still understand that we must be careful and take extra steps to ensure our students safety. We will continue to take temperatures of all students upon entry and exit. We have also installed stickers and socially distancing students through out the day. Hopefully, with a bit of luck and following government guidelines, we’ll be back to normal in no time!

See you all soon, and stay safe!