Cash grants for Army recruits (From Barry And District News)

Cash grants for Army recruits

A LOCAL youngster has taken his first step towards a great future by enlisting in to the Army.

Luke Jones, aged 19, from Barry, joined seven other teenagers from across the region at a mass enlistment ceremony which took place at the Armed Forces Careers Office in Cardiff.

A former pupil of Barry Comprehensive School and Crosskeys Campus, Luke has joined the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers as a vehicle mechanic and will spend the next 12 weeks undergoing intensive training at the Army Training Regiment in Pirbright.

As part of the enlistment process, Luke received an Army Education Grant for 2,500.

Known as'golden hellos', such grants offer financial support to those applicants that have studied a specified vocational subject and who, like Luke, are bringing sought after skills to key pinchpoint careers.

Keen to embark upon a career that will take him around the world and train him to a standard unmatched by any other profession, Luke said he was very much looking forward to joining his regiment.

"The Army really will provide me with opportunities that simply wouldn't be open to me if I'd chosen a different job and I'm really excited about what the future holds.

""There are so many options available to those thinking about an Army career and I can hardly say I'm disappointed with the 2,500 I received for my particular choice of career!"

Major Colin John, who enlisted each of the teenagers, said that all had made excellent choices.

"It's great to have so many youngsters enlist on the same day and I know that they're all looking forward to the start of their Army careers," he said.