IF you're about to leave school and are still unsure of what you want to do in life then look no further than the Army.

Joining up doesn't mean you are training only to be a fighting soldier for worldwide conflict situations.

You can learn trades valid for life on 'Civvy Street' as well as valuable to a career in the forces.

At the Army Technical Foundation College teenagers who have completed their GCSE's continue their education - in the classroom as well as on the assault course.

Set among barracks and other military outposts at the Arborfield Garrison, near Reading, it is a one-stop shop for young soldiers.

As well as military training, the college is a stepping stone to learning a trade such as telecommunications, civil engineering and vehicle mechanics.

There are also lessons in maths, information technology and military studies.

"It's a better career move than the job I was doing before I came here," said 17-year-old Adam Grant, of Blackpole, Worcester.

"I was working in a shop after my GCSEs. Here I can get more qualifications. I'd probably still be working in the shop if the careers office hadn't suggested this.

"This is a big difference."

Adam is training to be a combat engineer specialising in bricklaying and concreting.

He joined the college in May, last year, and is now in his senior term.

The college has three intakes each year, in January, May and September.

Each intake is there for two terms - the junior and senior terms. Each lasts for 14 weeks with half-term and end-of-term breaks.

After those 28 weeks, the apprentices join their regiments for their trade training. This takes place at one of five national training centres.

"It's a good career move, especially where I'm from," said 17-year-old Bengy Brittain of Tenbury Wells.

"There's nothing to do. I would have ended up working in a factory or chip shop.

"I didn't plan on coming here. My brother's in the Army and he's made quite a good career out of it.

"I spoke to him about basic training as an adult entry. It sounded quite hard but here it's been easier.

"It's quite good training with all the new things you learn."

Dan Bate, a 17-year-old from Kidderminster, is training to be a vehicle mechanic.

"Learning things like military technology and maths is not what I expected from the Army," he said.

"But we've been told it will help us get promoted in the future.

"I hadn't considered a career in the Army, but I thought I would give it a go."

These apprentices are now in their senior term and have done basic military training.

They had recently come off exercise in Aldershot when I met them at Rowcroft Barracks - home of the ATFC.

"We try to give them a bit more experience in the field," said Captain Simon O'Neill, who is a platoon commander at the college.

"They do a week of leadership training and then the whole intake will go on exercise.

"They learn basic field skills as well as putting in platoon attacks. The next exercise we'll make them commanders in charge of 12 men.

"For a lot of these kids it's a lot better for them to come here - physically and mentally they're getting an education."

The education that they do receive is equal to NVQ Level 2 and is carried out in classrooms dotted around the complex.

There is a purpose-built military studies department on site, which is also home to the college's library.

Military studies involves the youngsters learning a bit about the world and finding out why the Army is on tour in places like Kosovo.

"They have to learn about the Army and its different roles," said Major (retired) Alan Gower, of ATFC.

"The problem the Army has had in the past is that the soldiers don't know why they're in certain places.

"It's not all work though, there are around 40 hobbies going on around the campus in the evenings and weekends. These lead to bigger exercises, such as skiing in Canada and sub-aqua in the Red Sea.

"You're also going to get a better trade here than the outside world, with better training."

The four corps that recruit into the college are the REME, Royal Engineers, Royal Signals and Royal Logistic Corps.

For more information on the Army Technical Foundation College and what it can do for you contact the Army careers Office in Foregate Street, Worcester, on 01905 723677.