To be baffled at Rishis National Service Plan

[frankentall]

I have never voted Tory and don't intend to start at this election. Maybe it is due to my late father who did National Service who was vehmently opposed to it, but even allowing for the idea - surely it simply isn't practical. How has he cooked up such a batshit idea?

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I am sure there will be plenty of things to do that don't involve contact with vulnerable groups.

Youth giving up their time to volunteer isn't a bad thing.

Detail, something that Margaret Thatcher and her ministers used to do. Not something the Conservative Party does now, certainly since 2019.

Principle may have some merits, but if you haven't thought of the detail, then don't make it up as you go along.

@CurlsnSunshinetime4tea what country are you in?
In England (not sure about the other 3) teens are usually expected to do a week of work experience towards the end of Year 10 (so mostly age 15 but some still 14).
Many schools are finding it impossible to find places that will take part in the scheme.
To much "health and safety" etc rules so many end up with no placement to go to.

It is if forced, also why should it only be the young? If it's so essential why not widen the field? The while think is nonsense. Teenagers these days are under enough pressure, this will not help.

It's smoke & mirrors, while everyone is talking about this they aren't talking about all the tory shortcomings & cock ups.

Gives youth skills for starters.

I agree . I have done lots of volunteering over the years , I think it’s good to give back to the community and makes me feel like I’ve achieved something. It should be encouraged.
I do think the National Service headlines have really not helped, so many have jumped straight to the Military conclusion without actually reading what is being proposed.
We shall see how this pans out !

It should be expanded out. Also, maybe this would remove some of the pressure from teenagers, as the focus will be on their contribution and nothing else.

This is all just a last-ditch desperate attempt to win back Reform voters. It’s a stupid idea-forcing a small section of the population to do something is just daft. If they want to encourage volunteering, then invest more in DofE or the NCS. Or as part of post 16 education.

It’s all rather a moot point anyway though as it will never happen and every Tory MP is fully aware of this.

I think it will offer skills, purposeful activity, opportunity in certain fields and experience. It will be great for university and job apps, as well as giving a foot in the door and a sense of involvement.

But surely this isn't true for everyone. At 18 I was studying all day at uni and then working in a bar to pay my rent. In the summer holidays I was doing internships (when I was lucky enough to get one) or working in cafes and restaurants. Most of my friends were the same. I would have happily traded in waiting tables for something more fulfilling but only if it meant I was getting paid. I was absolutely skint at the time.

If it's such a great idea and so useful for young people then it should be voluntary. Don't punish those who have their shit together.

I thought the NCS was cancelled years ago. Glad to hear us still running (is it?)

DS didn’t see much value in it though, but then he had been doing so much traveling, training and volunteering in cadets he found the NCS a bit basic. I am, however, ethereally grateful that they kept him busy and out of mischief in the longest summer school holiday he has ever had.

Just because they would be doing jobs/tasks that other people volunteer for does not mean that this proposal includes an option of 'volunteering'. That word being used in the proposal still does not mean that there will be a voluntary option.

Cambridge dictionary definition of volunteering: a person who does something, especially helping other people, willingly and without being forced or paid to do it.

It wouldn't it would add to the stress. Many teens work, study and try to save at the same time to pay rent, uni costs, transport costs etc. Life is expensive, the last thing they need is lots of hours spent doing extra work for no money.

Well, nothing is ever going to be a perfect fit for everyone and I am sure they will factor in ways to deal with those who have already signed up for the military, or who are studying abroad, or have caring responsibility etc.

Mine volunteers soon as they hit 14, it gives them skills and more chance of employment. We are a low income family and I can't afford for them to do lots of activities, so it is a good way for them to get work ethic and learn new skills. I cant say he's over the moon but it's definitely better then him sitting on his computer.

Voluntary work should be voluntary. If you make it mandatory, it then becomes forced unpaid labour.

With all due respect, there are also many teens that DON’T do any of the things you mention and would benefit hugely from direction and structure.

I’m completely against it unless it is compulsory for everyone who hasn’t previously done NS, regardless of age. Teenage DC1 has done tonnes of volunteering, has it been good for her? Maybe but great, can it be evidenced that the 4 years worth she has done has already been completed and she can get on with uni, fitting her job around lectures, tutorials and labs and all the sport she wants to do that her uni choice was in part based on. Am sure there are lots of people that would be better placed to do it than she is right now and it may be of great benefit to them, who knows, but selecting a particular cohort based on their age is just shit.

The one thing I don’t understand about Sunak is why he thought it was such a good idea to announce a hugely unpopular and unpractical idea during campaigning season.

…. unless… is it to pass the blame? If they have underinvested on defence for soo many years and now we reject such proposal by voting for someone else, if things go pear shaped it will be our fault? Not theirs?

@RubySloth a lot of teens do volunteer and many would actually like to.
With many things though there are barriers for many due to costs.
It all very well wanting to volunteer but if you can't get to where you need to be because there's no public transport or you can't afford public transport - what can you do?
This is why I think volunteer schemes should be done as part of the school curriculum because that way no one misses out.

Prior to Brexit teens were able to go abroad very easily to Europe and get some fantastic work and life experience. I'd value a proper version of that returning (as an option), than the watered down, bureaucratic, limited version it was replaced with post Brexit.

It seems like something devised by people who never had to hold down a part-time job to get through uni/college. How are you supposed to do that if you’re spending a weekend a month volunteering?

And for people running the services that are apparently going to benefit from this it’ll probably be more bother than anything else!

Many volunteer placements will cover expenses