Work experience students get a taste of life in the Navy

Four groups of students have been given valuable insight into life in the Royal Navy.

Over a two-week period, some 32 students from Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and the Midlands have visited HMS Raleigh as part of their work experience or an enrichment week, and were given the chance to undertake elements of the initial naval training course for recruits. 

During the week-long work experience programme, the students were taught how to march and underwent physical training sessions. They also visited HMS Courageous in Devonport Naval Base and were given a tour of HMS Brecon - the decommissioned minesweeper used for training.

HMS Raleigh’s work experience officer Paul Bell said the main aim was to show young people what it’s really like to be in the military as they make important decisions about their future.

He commented: “Ultimately, we hope that everyone will take something away from the week regardless of their final career choice.”

Jack Wheeler of Looe Community College explained why he applied to do his work experience at HMS Raleigh by saying: “I wanted to see what the Navy was all about. I was surprised to see how organised the recruits have to be. I’d like to be an Air Engineering Technician.”

The week-long programme has also been designed to show the students the diverse range of training carried out at HMS Raleigh. They have spent time at the Royal Navy Submarine School and worked with the chefs instructors at the Defence Maritime Logistics School.