Sadly, Potential Officer Candidate Area Selection Boards (POCASB) have been under subscribed over the last twelve months and only two have run. Although low in number, the quality of those going forward to National Officer Selection Boards (NOSB) has resulted in a 100% pass rate. Of those not selected to go forward, work is being conducted with District and Commanding Officers to strengthen candidates' weak areas in preparation for future NOSBs.
As indicated in last years report (with more detail being given by DoT in his report), the NOSBs have now changed in style with more emphasis being given to spontaneous response rather than "prepared" knowledge. More detail is being given to District Officers and POCASBs are in the process of receiving a comprehensive "makeover" to prepare candidates for the new NOSBs.
Meanwhile further work is being carried out in conjunction with District Officers to identify both staff (and senior cadets) who might have future officer or command potential with a view to monitoring their progress and direct their training and qualifications such that they might progress expeditiously.
An Area MTWE XOs Course has been developed and is being run for the first time this November. The course has been devised in conjunction with SCTC HMS EXCELLENT to ensure there is no overlap with the new Command Team Course that has absorbed elements of the now defunct National First Lieutenants course. Units are reminded that the new National Command Team Course is open to XOs as well.
The Cadet Vocational Qualification Office (CVQO) schemes are gaining pace and are commended to you for the development of staff at all levels. As CVQO literature says "Turn your work with Cadets into a vocational qualification that employers value!" See HQTMs or visit www.vqaward.org for more information. The BTEC scheme for cadets is also commended to you. You may remember the excellent overview given at last years conference by Major (SCC) D POKE RMR - again, refer to HQTMs.
SEA CADET ADVISORY GROUP
Detailed reports have been given on a regular basis in the Area Newsletter, therefore it is not proposed repeating these within this report. As ever, ASO (SD) and the AC remain available to discuss any policy or strategy matter that is not covered by the normal chain of command.
