Editorial: Opportunity on parade at corps

One of my brothers runs his own electrical business in a town not a million miles from Hawke's Bay.

He employs a number of staff and they earn reliable wages working for a local firm with a top reputation.

My brother and his wife started their business from scratch in 1991 after he lost his job through restructure at another company.

He did not begin his electrician's apprenticeship on Civvy Street, however. My brother did a spell with the NZ Army as his first job out of school. He was smart enough as a teenager to put his time with the service to good use by starting his trade training there.

Before he joined the army, he was a member of the Air Training Corps and I guess that played a part in setting him on a path that led to him eventually becoming a successful businessman and local employer.

His story came to mind when I read today's article about Hilda Hurinui and her work with the City of Napier Cadet Corps (see p4).

Hundreds of kids from all backgrounds have been involved in the Napier Cadet Corps over the years and Mrs Hurinui believes the unit has produced the most cadets who have gone on to join the New Zealand Defence Forces.

Three of her own children went on to join the New Zealand Army in regular or territorial forces.

It is clear there is a direct link between the cadet corps and later military service. And while the military can be a career of its own, it can also be a powerful training ground for future opportunities

Electricians, chefs, drivers, pilots, mechanics - the list goes on when it comes to the "real world" jobs required by the defence forces.

You can see how time spent with the Napier Cadet Corps as a teenager could lead to unexpected opportunity in the future.

Mrs Hurinui is disappointed she has fewer than 60 cadets this year as the corps used to have hundreds signed up.

But we think all involved in the Napier Cadet Corps should not sweat the numbers too badly. They are doing a great job. And 60 cadets is still 60 kids given an opportunity in life.