In 2015, the Northern Territory Police Fire and Emergency Services (NTPFES) and the Department of Education re-formed the Cadets program for secondary school students. A pilot program commenced in 2015 that operated out of Palmerston Senior College and the first group of 17 secondary school students began their cadet training.

The joint partnership has enabled both agencies to design a Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathway that is industry driven, based on a ‘grow your own’ model and exposes the students to real employment pathways in the emergency services and the Northern Territory Government.

The program runs over two years with students studying a Certificate II in Community Engagement through NTPFES and a Certificate III in Business through BCA National Training Group.

The program gives students a chance to find out if they want to pursue an emergency services career. Suitable candidates are highly encouraged to apply for roles and are assisted in reaching bench marks to attain roles in the uniformed ranks.