A MILITARY preparation college was officially launched at Raglan Barracks on Tuesday night.

The privately-run college which has 18 branches across the Uk, including six in Wales is free for students to attend.

It aims to provide education and training for 16 to 19 year olds to enable them to join the military or find future employment.

Student Connor Rhys Williams, aged 17, said joining the college changed his life as he lost three and a half stone and gained a new sense of belief in himself.

After going from more than 17 stone to around 13 stone he is now targeting on improving his fitness and joining the Royal Marines.

“Once I lost the weight I realised that I could do anything,” he said.

“My confidence has gone up massively as it’s a great achievement in itself.

“If I can do it anyone can do it.”

He added: “It’s changed me as a person and changed my attitude to discipline.

“I was a big boy before with an attitude as I was doing things I didn’t want to do, but now I’m hoping to keep improving my fitness and join the Royal Marines.”

The college, which has 17 bases across England and Wales, aims to help young men and women develop their physical fitness, functional skills and self-confidence, thereby giving them the best possible platform for future careers in the Armed Forces.

The facility also improves their chances of finding employment outside of the armed forces as students gain additional qualifications during their time on the course.

The college officially opens for students on Monday and will offer them personal training sessions, battle combat lessons, a B-Tec h in public services, improved literacy and numeracy skills, and enhanced employment prospects.

Huw Lewis MBE, who founded the Military Preparation College 16 years ago, said the holistic approach to learning benefitted students and prepared them for joining the armed forces.

He added that being based at a reservist barracks would allow them to “rub shoulders with some of the best fighting force in the world” and welcomed the opening of the college at Raglan Barracks.

“It’s a fantastic place to start and is steeped with history,” he said.

“It’s for all types of young people to improve fitness, confidence, and understanding of work, and gain direction in their lives.

“That’s what they will get here in a very supportive environment where young people can excel and be the best they can be.”

He added that those finishing the course could look forward to a bright future: “Ninety per cent of our students will achieve a job on the back of our course.

“Everyone leaves with a positive destination.

“It will make a massive different to their lives as they will be more qualified, more confident and have a better sense of community of where they come from.”

To mark the launch of the college, around 30 students from the Cardiff, Bridgend and Newport branches of The Military Preparation College showcased their skills as part of a “Beating Retreat” ceremony by 104 Royal Artillery Regiment.

As part of the display students marched, rolled tyres, took part in a tug-of-war, and conducted other training exercises on the grass lawn in front of where the college will be based.

Captain Elwyn Clarke, from by 104 Royal Artillery Regiment at Raglan Barracks, welcomed the opening of the military college.

“We are very happy to have them on board working in Raglan Barracks,” he said

“It’s always good to have young people interested in joining the armed forces.”

The Military Preparation College is part funded by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government

It will run in normal term terms, with a unique ‘active curriculum’, focused 50-50 on physical fitness and functional skills, including numeracy and literacy.

The college will be able to cater for about 40 students at any one time.

it will be inspected by Estyn.

To register interest, prospective students should visit www.mpct.co.uk or call 08442 438 438. There will be an Open Day on 1 July.