Volunteer spotlight: Learning Development Team

Who is the Learning Development Team?

We’re a small team working on a huge range of different learnings. The team is led by Sam Dobson, Head of Sea Cadet Learning Development, supported on the Cadet learning side by Liam Mason, Senior Training Design Officer. Kirsty Leeder, Virtual Learning Content Manager, is in charge of our E-learning and Rebecca Price, Senior Virtual Learning Officer, leads on our Leadership and Management Training. We’re also supported by our Learning Co-ordinator, Tasha, a sea cadet who became a unit volunteer on ageing out last year.

The team are based across the UK and are all incredibly passionate about seeing the Sea Cadets Experience in action. 

Can you explain what the Learning Development Team does?

We’re involved in so many different projects across the organisation, but we have four key areas that we support: 

• Creating and updating session plans and resources for the Sea Cadets, Royal Marines Cadets and Juniors syllabi to be delivered in units. Most recently we updated Senior Cadets syllabi for RMC Sergeant and Petty Officer Cadets.
• Creating and updating our volunteer training – either provided via E-learning, virtual-live or face-to-face. A recent update was an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion module on the Digital Learning Environment (DLE).
• Working with National Staff Officers to support their programmes or specialisations.
• Holding ‘spotlights’ and running working groups to provide training or gain feedback and guidance from our volunteers. 

How do you decide what are the best courses to create?

As there are thousands of courses and pieces of learning, we use feedback, volunteer and cadet working groups and regular development cycles to ensure that our small team can have the biggest impact. We also have incredible subject matter experts in our National Staff Officer team and RMC Support Company who give up their time to support the development of their particular areas of expertise. 

We never develop a product without engaging with either volunteers or cadets through working groups, focus groups, spotlights and piloting, as we know that they will be the ones delivering it or taking part.

What type of training courses do you offer?

Over the last year we have released a huge number of updated or new training resources and courses. Some examples are: new Physical Training CTP and CTS syllabi and online training; Piping syllabus in the CTP; updated Signals syllabus with new resources to aid delivery in unit; an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion course and Inclusion resource hub; and a Mental Health Awareness course to support cadets and adults.