£70 Million for Cadet Forces – Building Skills Beyond the Classroom

A national commitment to youth development

The government has announced a £70 million investment to expand school based cadet units by 30 per cent by 2030. The ambition is to create more than 40,000 new cadets nationally over the next five years.

At a glance

• £70 million allocated to expand cadet forces provision

• 30 per cent growth target by 2030

• 40,000 additional cadets expected

• Focus on STEM, drone flight, teamwork and leadership capability

“Cadet programmes nurture confidence, discipline and teamwork — skills every young person benefits from developing,” says Findel Education.

Building leadership through experience

The Cadet Force 2030 Strategy positions character development and civic identity as core outcomes, not extras. The opportunity for schools lies in ensuring these programmes connect meaningfully with curriculum priorities and develop transferable resilience.

Turning funding into long term capability

Findel’s experience across PE, STEM and applied learning demonstrates how enrichment and attainment reinforce each other. Through Davies Sport and Philip Harris, we support schools with equipment, experiential learning tools and selection bundles that reduce workload and create structured progression over time.

Key takeaways

• £70 million will fund a 30 per cent expansion in school cadet forces

• Cadet programmes build experiences that strengthen confidence, resilience and problem solving

• Findel supports long term enrichment that aligns with education outcomes and participation equity