News & Events

News & Events / Military Preparation Colleges, the potential solution to knife crime? Yes, according to Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt.

Military Preparation Colleges, the potential solution to knife crime? Yes, according to Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt.

At the RUSI Land Warfare conference, Penny Mordaunt the Secretary of State for Defence said that part of the answer to tackle the crisis in knife crime could be Military Preparation Colleges. In discussing this suggestion she said, “I have been so struck in particular how Military Preparation colleges have enthused those who other education establishments fail to inspire. They have encouraged study and physical fitness, self-confidence and self-worth, a sense of duty and service.”

The Motivational Preparation College for Training (MPCT) was founded in Cardiff in 1999 by Huw Lewis MBE and has several branches, the most popular being the Military Preparation Colleges. Its ethos is “to engage, motivate, educate and achieve excellence for all”, which is clearly mirrored in the Secretary of State’s observations of how MPCT give young people between the ages of 16-19 “self-confidence, self-worth and a sense of duty and service”. MPCT is a “Grade 1” Ofsted Training Provider, and aims to inspire 16-19 year olds to develop their fitness, achieve qualifications and skills for future employment.

The Military Preparation Colleges are all run by Instructors who have served or are serving (Reserves) in the British Armed Forces. A paper on “Military Academies” (Blond & Kaszynska, 2012) who align with the solution suggested by the Secretary of State of military colleges, addressed the tackling of disadvantage and improving outcomes. They said that military educators are a “huge asset when delivering pastoral care to troubled youths” which make up the proportion of MPCT’s Learners. A recent case study from a Learner at Military Preparation College Edgware told of how life before MPCT was one of gang life, robbery and drug dealing. He is now due to start with the British Army at the end of July after having been with MPCT since September 2018, where he said he “has truly humbled himself and become a better man.” 100% of MPCT Learners across 28 colleges in England and Wales reported that they felt safe at college according to a learner survey from MPCT, and to be educated by mentors they feel safe which cultivates inspiration for Learners, resulting in extra effort to work to be like their role models (Blond, P. and Kaszynska, P., 2012.).

This sense of belief, purpose and pride that the Secretary of State and Blond & Kaszynska, 2012 suggest is needed for this cohort of young people of today, is evident in the college progression statistics where over 90% of Learners go on to future employment, whether that be in Military or Civilian life.

The Secretary of State from this suggestion went onto propose a summit in which to connect MPCT with other organisations that it could help. “The proposed summit would connect Military Preparation colleges – places of education that offer 16 to 19 year olds the chance to learn new skills and improve their fitness – with groups working to divert young people away from gangs and violence.”

Due to the impact of the Secretary of State’s endorsement of MPCT, BBC Radio 4 paid a visit to one of the Military Preparation Colleges in Gloucester in May, where they were struck and impressed by the vast personal improvements made by Learners there. On Friday 12th July, during the afternoon current affairs programme, interviews with Learners vividly demonstrated the benefits of MPCT. Tia, 17 who had come from a difficult background after being put into care, said “she was more confident, had more friends and was just more happy” in the 7 months since starting and is going for selection with the British Army in August. Gina, 18, has lost three stone since starting at MPCT and has her start date for the army in August. She said that she “would never have been able to get motivated if it wasn’t for MPCT” and that she is very proud of herself.

Furthermore, Joseph, 18 who had struggled tremendously at sixth form and felt he “didn’t fit in” said “he was an introvert person, and was there to get out of his comfort zone and become mentally as well as physically strong”. Alex, who is hoping to join The Royal Marines, finished off the interviews expressing how “schools seem to push kids towards A-levels and University. If they don’t do that then they feel like they have nothing there, when actually there’s organisations like MPCT who can help build up confidence, leadership skills and work ethics for life in the military or civilian jobs”.

The Military Preparation College welcomes applications and enquiries from both prospective students and parents and guardians. Those interested in finding out more can visit www.mpct.co.uk or call 0330 111 3939.

If you would like to listen to the radio programme as mentioned, click the link below. We’re on about 1 minute and 28 seconds in!

“Afternoon news and current affairs programme” 2019. BBC Radio 4. 12 July, 13.00 (link below)

m0006n1r.html

(Blond, P. and Kaszynska, P., 2012. Military Academies: Tackling disadvantage, improving ethos and changing outcome. ResPubilca Green Paper.)

 

Watch Penny Mordaunt’s FULL speech below, our feature is around 18 minutes in!

Back to news articles

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh visits Learning Curve Group

HRH the Duke of Edinburgh visited the Learning Curve Group Headquarters in County Durham this morning to mark the Group’s 20th anniversary and officially open their Headquarters at DurhamGate. Brenda McLeish OBE DL, CEO of Learning Curve Group, welcomed His Royal Highness and escorted him through the building where he met staff from various departments,...

Read more

Armed Forces Week 2024 – A Thank You from MPCT 

Today marks the start of Armed Forces Week 2024. With a large military provision, we would like to take this opportunity to show our appreciation to all armed forces personnel, past and present. The Armed Forces community work around the clock to protect our way of life and defend UK interests at home and overseas....

Read more

Think we’re great… tell a mate

Refer a friend to a programme at an MPCT Military Academy and earn yourself £50* MPCT’s refer-a-friend scheme is open! Simply tell your friends to enrol online and pass on your name to secure some much needed £££. The scheme allows you to be rewarded for introducing your friends to any of our MPCT academies....

Read more

SAS veteran and influencer, Phil Campion, partners with MPCT to empower future soldiers.

Phil Campion, a veteran with an extensive background in military operations, has partnered with military preparation college, MPCT. to inspire future generations of armed forces personnel.  Campion has more than 71,000 followers on Instagram, where he motivates and inspires people through content focussed on mental health, fitness, and the military lifestyle. He is also a...

Read more

Our Top Eight Study Tips for Students Doing Their GCSEs.

This week marks the beginning of the GCSE exam season for thousands of learners across the UK. For a lot of young people, this can be the most stressful time in their educational life, so it’s important to make sure you are ready and have all the tools and tips you need! Of course, there...

Read more

A college like no other – as seen on BBC One Show

Men still make up 88% of the Armed Forces. There are a huge variety of roles in the Armed Forces, all of which are open to women, where you can expect equal pay, equal opportunities, and equal expectations. Develop confidence, travel the world, and enjoy sport and fitness in a career full of variety and...

Read more