Project Description

Industry: Armed Forces/Public Services  

Programme: Work Inspiration and Preparation / Routes and Pathways / Sector Awareness  

Activity Type:  routes and pathways  

Businesses involved: Royal Navy  

Name of School: Auchmuty High School

In June, pupils from schools across Fife were given the unique opportunity to attend a Royal Navy Experience Day at HMS Scotia in Rosyth. This initiative was driven by the Royal Navy’s recruitment team, who, through their careers advisers, invited all secondary schools in the region to participate in a three-day event aimed at providing real-life insight into the varied and rewarding careers within the Royal Navy. 

The primary aim of the activity was to expose S4–S6 pupils to the wide range of career paths available in the Royal Navy, from engineering and logistics to specialist roles such as cryptology and mine clearance diving. The event was designed to not only inform but also to inspire, offering hands-on, practical experiences and direct engagement with Royal Navy personnel to help pupils make informed decisions about their future careers. 

Employer Involvement

 The Royal Navy, as one of the UK’s major employers, is committed to engaging with young people and promoting awareness of the diverse roles it offers. Through Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Fife, the Royal Navy reached out to DYW coordinators across the region to promote the event to senior pupils. Their goal was to raise awareness of career pathways in the armed forces and demonstrate how the skills pupils are developing at school could transfer into exciting and meaningful roles within the Navy. 

By offering experience days such as this, the Royal Navy supports early engagement with potential recruits, allowing them to learn more about the culture, expectations, and benefits of a military career. For the Navy, this outreach builds a strong connection with the community and helps to shape a future workforce that is informed, enthusiastic, and well-prepared. 

Activity Summary and Impact

Throughout the day, pupils took part in a series of dynamic and interactive sessions: 

Weapons Training Simulation: Pupils practised target shooting with airsoft rifles and handguns, gaining an understanding of the basic training all Royal Navy personnel undertake. 

Firefighting Drill: In full gear, students worked in pairs to tackle a simulated fire scenario using firefighting hoses, learning about emergency preparedness and teamwork. 

Cryptologic Technician Insight: Pupils met with two newly-qualified Cryptologic Technicians who discussed the role and how their foreign language skills contributed to national defence efforts. This session particularly engaged those with an interest in languages and intelligence work. 

Abandon Ship Challenge: A timed sea survival task required pupils to don survival suits and board a life raft under pressure, simulating real-life emergency response scenarios. 

Royal Marines Fitness Test: Pupils participated in a physical fitness assessment involving press-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups – showcasing the physical standards required for some Royal Navy roles. 

 Logistics and Catering Careers: Navy chefs spoke about preparing meals for both everyday service and prestigious events, and explained the professional qualifications and career development opportunities available within catering roles. 

Mine Clearance Diving Demonstration: Pupils were introduced to the work of Royal Navy divers, including a hands-on session with bomb disposal robots and diving equipment. 

The day was packed with varied activities that not only showcased the exciting and diverse opportunities within the Royal Navy but also highlighted the values of teamwork, discipline, resilience, and adaptability. 

Pupil Feedback and Reflections

The response from pupils was overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting that the experience had sparked new career ambitions. 

“I have been unsure what I wanted to do when I left school, but having seen the different careers today, I now feel I would like to join the Royal Navy as a weapons engineer.” 

— Elijah, S5 pupil 

“I really enjoyed the experience today and think I would like to join the Navy doing logistics and get a chance to travel the world.” 

— Conor, S6 pupil 

Teachers accompanying the pupils also praised the day, noting how it brought classroom learning to life and allowed students to explore career options in a highly engaging and meaningful way.