Trentham Graduates Complete Life-Affirming Course

Media Advisory
November 18, 2010
Trentham Graduates Complete Life-Affirming Course

The latest graduates of the Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) program will proudly march out in front of friends and family this Saturday at Trentham Military Camp.

The LSV program is run by the NZ Defence Force (NZDF) on behalf of Work and Income and is funded by the Ministry of Social Development. LSV is a 6-week residential course providing life skills to unemployed young people between the ages of 17-25.

Trainees have little free time during the 6-week course. The trainees undergo a program of intensive lectures, workshops and physical activities designed to develop core values of respect, team work, and trust to boost self confidence and self esteem. All LSV activities are geared at assisting those on the course to confidently and skillfully enter the work force and to arm them with life skills for the future.

One of the most challenging parts of the course is fittingly called ‘The Longest Day’ which starts around 4am and finishes around 7pm. The Longest Day involves both physically and mentally demanding group activities. The Officer Commanding this course Squadron Leader Pete Rowe says that, “the outcome of this day is multi-faceted. It includes: reinforcement of a core concept namely the development of a steady work ethic and importantly, to have an understanding of going the extra mile.

"The day tests the participants and their ability to commit to tasks and their ability to knuckle down when the pressure comes on and all within a cohesive team environment.”

Significant changes can be seen in volunteers at the end of the LSV program. “They exhibit strong sense of self belief, self worth, confidence, grooming and an increased ability to communicate and interact,” adds SQNLDR Rowe.

LSV courses have been held at Burnham Military Camp for over 20 years. The first of the course to be run in Trentham was held in April of this year and since then over 200 students have graduated from the program. This specific group has a graduating class of 85 participants.

This year almost 2,000 trainees will go through the LSV courses at Trentham, Burnham and Hobsonville.

WHAT: LSV Course C02/11 Graduation Parade

WHEN: Saturday, 20th November. 10:30am – 12pm.

WHERE: Trentham Military Camp, CIT Building car park off Somme Road

ENDS

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