Army Foundation College

Army Foundation College Harrogate AFC(H)
Founded	1947 As the Army Apprentices School, Harrogate
Country	United Kingdom
Part of	British Armed Forces
HQ	Initial Training Group ITG
Motto(s)	Trust, Courage, Team Spirit
Decorations	Through Military Training and Vocational Education, we develop the qualities of leadership, character and team spirt required of a solider to achieve a full career in the Army
Insignia
Welcome Board	Welcoming board in Penny Pot Lane, alongside the new entrance to Uniacke Barracks - October 2004. 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 eligable to join, the AFC(H) offers a 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.

Objectives

The principal object of the College is to initiate youngsters (nowadays of both sexes) into the Basic Military Training standards required (the basic Phase 1 course is the Army Development Course which lasts for 20 weeks including an extra 22 weeks which includes vocational training, adventure training and leadership and initiative training) before further Phase 2 training at the appropriate Army Training Regiment (or ATR) for the student; this to be according to the Regiment or Arm into which he or she will eventually be badged.

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.

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.

Military Studies

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

• Core Values – The Core Values of the British Army.

• Falklands War – A look at Joint Opreations.

• Terrorism - Types of terrorism and tactics used by both sides.

• Northern Ireland Conflict – A breif history of Northern Ireland & The Troubles.

• Modern Conflicts - Including the Iraq & Afghanistan

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

Leadership and Initiative Training

File:AFC(H) High Ropes.PNG

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 BORDER INCURSION, 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 Expedidion, Ex JUNIOR LONG REACH, and Final Challenge.

See also

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

External links

• Army Foundation College, Harrogate
• Lieutenant General Sir Herbert Uniacke KCB KCMG
• [1]Outline of Leadership and Initiative Training at AFC(H)