Ses Signs Up Students

In response to the growing frequency and severity of natural disasters across New South Wales, the state government has invested in a powerful solution—its young people.

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Cadet Program is offering high school students the chance to step up, learn practical emergency skills, and become active participants in disaster preparedness and response.

Backed by millions in state funding, this initiative not only strengthens community resilience but also helps build career pathways into emergency services, community safety, and crisis management roles.

Why the SES Cadet Program Matters

With bushfires, floods, and storms becoming more frequent and intense across Australia, volunteer-led emergency organisations like the SES are more important than ever. According to the NSW SES, volunteers respond to more than 20,000 incidents annually—from storm damage and road rescues to flood evacuations and disaster recovery.

In 2023 alone, NSW faced major weather events across the Hunter, Northern Rivers, and Western Sydney, highlighting the urgent need for a well-trained, well-supported emergency response workforce.

About the SES Cadetship for Students

The cadet program gives students in Years 9 and 10 the opportunity to:

• Learn essential emergency response skills
• Understand how the SES operates during real-world events
• Develop leadership, communication, and teamwork abilities
• Engage in practical, supervised field-based training

The program is coordinated in partnership with NSW high schools and delivers a nationally recognised PUA20119 Certificate II in Public Safety (SES) in many cases.

Emergency Services Minister [Current Minister Name] has praised the initiative for its dual benefits—preparing young people for careers in public safety while increasing the SES’s capacity to respond to disasters.

“We’re investing in the next generation of leaders who will be there when our communities need them most,” the Minister said.

Will Students Be Deployed in Real Emergencies?

Parents can rest assured: cadets are fully supervised and trained before engaging in any operational environment. Most involvement is non-frontline during the cadetship period, and any field work is age-appropriate, safe, and supported by SES professionals.

The goal is to build confidence, not pressure. The experience is also designed to be enriching, educational and deeply empowering.

From Cadet to Career: What’s Next?

Many SES cadets go on to join adult SES units, become community leaders, or pursue further study in emergency management, paramedicine, or public safety. It’s a stepping stone into meaningful roles that make a real difference during crisis events.

If your child—or you—are inspired by community service and disaster resilience, consider training options like:

• Community services and crisis support courses
• Emergency and disaster management qualifications
• First aid and public safety certificates