Support for
Cadet force officers
As a Cadet Force Officer (CFO) and therefore a part-time volunteer of the New Zealand Cadet Forces (NZCF), you’ll have the challenge of balancing your commitment to youth training with your life outside the Cadet Forces.
Getting your employer on board
Building positive working relationships with an employer helps you manage your Cadet Force commitments together. As a CFO, you’ll need to talk to your employer about why you may need time off occasionally. It’s important to be open and honest with your employer, so they understand your commitments, appreciate your community service and skills, and can plan to manage them with you.
Skills developed while volunteering can be an asset to your employer
Job interviews
Volunteering in the community is a valuable attribute, as is the ongoing training and leadership qualities you develop with the NZCF, so your NZCF service should add weight to your job application. Make sure your potential employer understands the benefits you bring to a role due to your unique training as a CFO, and have an honest conversation about when you might need some flexibility and support to have time off work.
Benefits:
Officers are required to attend training courses:
- Health and safety,
- First aid,
- Equity and diversity,
- Adolescent behaviour,
- Acceptable behaviour,
- Mandatory reporting,
- Duty of care,
- Managerial decision making,
- Youth development philosophies,
- Legal and societal practices and procedures,
- Military etiquette,
- Instructional techniques, and
- Code of Conduct Training to enable them to be effective leaders for the cadets.
Find out more about the types of training offered to NZCF Officers:
Cadet Force Officer Courses(external link)
Service Obligations:
- Unit routine evening training
- Programmed weekend activities
- Multi-day promotional or professional development courses
- Planning and supervising multi-day activities
Be upfront with your boss
Your employer needs time to plan and to manage when you need to be away from work. So don’t spring your leave requirements on them. Instead, have an upfront and positive conversation with your employer and direct them to our Employers of Cadet Force Officers page to find out more information.
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Talk to your boss about your commitment to the NZCF
Positive working relationships with your boss can help you manage your cadet force commitments. Volunteering in the community is a valuable attribute, and your unique skills will help you stand out in a commercial environment. Your boss may have questions and it is helpful to bring specific details about your requirements to any discussion. For further research, your employer can be directed to our Employers section, or to the New Zealand Cadet Forces(external link) website.
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Highlight the benefits of employing a cadet force officer
Cadet Force Officers develop a range of transferable skills by operating across two or more diverse workplace environments. Civilians may not have interacted with the cadet forces before, nor understand the wide variety of skills and training you bring to the community. It is important to take the time to explain the skills you are learning on your training to your colleagues. You may even find that your employer begins to leverage the experience you are gaining through your service.
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Build trust and respect through open dialogue
Your employer is a part of the wider NZCF community. Through support and flexibility they can enable you to get to training and contribute to youth development. It is important to have upfront and open discussions about what your service means for their business and day to day planning. You may find that civilians in your workplace haven't had the opportunity to engage with cadet force officers before and your representation can build excellent bridges between the NZCF / NZDF and the general public.
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How do I thank my employer?
Your employer may have offered you support and flexibility that goes above and beyond. If you wish to thank them, why not nominate them for a New Zealand Cadet Force Officer Employer of the Year (NZCF EOTY) Award, where finalists and winners are celebrated at the annual Tohu Awards. The Tohu Awards offer your employer an insight into your work at NZCF, the chance to engage with Senior NZDF and NZCF Leadership and an opportunity for cost-efficient internal and external marketing for their business. Nomination forms can be found in our helpful resources section below.
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Direct your employer to our website for more information
We're here to help. If you're employer wants to know more, direct them to this website. We have specific information pages for Cadet Force Officer employers. Any further questions can be directed to us via our contact form, or directly to the New Zealand Cadet Forces.(external link)