What Is The Youth Development Programme?
The AAD Youth Development Programme is an integral component of AAD to create awareness for career opportunities in the aviation and defence industry. Over the years, the youth initiative has grown into a formal programme and an asset to the AAD in terms of marketing the industry as employer of choice with the youth, educators, parents and the broad public. The AAD Youth Development Programme supports Government's socio economic development objectives through promoting and improving results in Maths, Science and Technology subjects at schools. AAD 2010 witnessed the most successful youth development program presented so far in terms of achieving all the set objectives and marketing the careers in the defence and aviation industry. Based on the success of the AAD since 2002 to the 2010 Youth Development Programmes, a well-planned and coordinated YDP will be presented to support the strategic intent of the AAD 2012 and its partners.

What can you expect at the show?
The AAD Youth Development Program during the show is a prime opportunity to showcase career opportunities in the aviation, defence industry, SA Army, SA Air Force, SA Navy and SA Military Health Service, Special Forces and the Military Police. We are looking for young people, who would like pursue a career as e.g. engineers, IT technicians, project managers, as pilots, ground crew, soldiers, combat crew for ships or paramedics. In terms of recruitment criteria, we are looking for motivated young people with excellent Grade 12 results in mathematics and science.

Rotation Program - The following will be in Hall 5 and the YDP Pavilion during the show:

• Official reception and briefing.
• We will have role model photo shoots. Upon departure, the youth will receive a printed photo as souvenir of the visit.
• They will participate in the activities of the defence exhibition with displays of the South African Army, Air Force, Navy and Military Health Service.
• Participate in science and technology workshops including, scale models to build and to take home.
• Fly aircraft through virtual aviation.
• Visit the theatre for viewing of DVD’s, discussion sessions, demonstrations of careers in the aviation, transport and defence industries.
• Enjoy aviation and vehicle simulators.
• Do first aid in an operational field hospital.
• Indoor shooting range with R4 rifles.
• Seamanship and Special Forces activities.
• Crime scene investigations.
• A Science Centre program.

Arena Program - The YDP Arena will be available to the youth visiting the show:

• A youth drill squad display and a youth band demonstrations.
• Military type tattoo with bands, physical training displays, special equipment handling, dog shows, precision drill etc.
• Fast roping and wall climbing.
• Mass gymnastics and martial arts activities.
• Paintball.
• Visits to The United Sates Air Force (USAF) aircraft and vehicles.
• An exhibition of weapon system displays and stalls depicting the respective careers.
• Dog handling, chemical & biological defence simulations.
• You will have the opportunity to interact with role models that can tell you about their career experiences.
• Building and flying rockets.

What is MSDS?
Included in AAD YDP is a Military Skills Development System (MSDS) Youth Programme to create awareness for career opportunities in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). It stands for: "Military Skills Development System" and forms part of the Government's priority for youth development. The MSDS is a voluntary system that will also be a recruitment source for the reserve forces with the objective to rejuvenate the organisation with a flexible service system. Youth who volunteer their services for two years will also exit the DOD with portable skills that can be applied in the private sector. The MSDS is a 2-year program with the 1st year consisting of training and skills development and the 2nd year of the utilisation of the acquired skills. Upon completion, you will then exit the system to serve in the reserve force or stay on for medium term career opportunities. The DOD Youth Programme's aim at the AAD is the promotion of the Military Skills Development programme of the DOD in support of its human resource strategy. The focus of the programme will be to demonstrate the existence of the MSD system as a career opportunity in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

The following broad career opportunities exist in the MSDS:

• South African Army: combat soldiers, information technology specialist, engineers and logistic support etc.
• South African Air Force: pilots, navigators, ground support crew, technicians and logistic support etc.
• South African Navy: combat sailors, divers, naval engineers and logistic support etc.
• South African Military Health Service: paramedics, nurses and logistic support etc.

Learners can get involved in existing youth programs in the SANDF. The following SANDF youth programmes will be present at the 2012 show:

• The South African Army Young Lions Programme.
• The South African Air Force Siyandiza Programme.
• The South African Navy Izivunguvungu Programme.
• The South African Military Health Service St Johns Ambulance Programme.