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EQUIPPED JUNE 2015

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MEDICAL

PRINCE HARRY RETIRES

DOCTORS, NURSES & DENTISTS

CHARITY, ENTERPRISE

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Challenging Rewarding Worthwhile

Are you ready to start a new chapter in your life? If you have the following skills we’d really like to talk to you:

together with strong relationships and a balance between treatment and continuing an active life.

• Able to encourage, evaluate and involve • Capable of working in fast-paced environments, often under pressure • Great listening and communication skills • Excellent team working

With a diverse range of fulfilling jobs such as Consultants, Clinical Support Workers, Mental Health Practitioners and Technical Instructors, check out our website www.nsft.nhs.com/work-for-us or follow us on Twitter @NSFTjobs to find your next career opportunity.

At Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, we are one of the largest mental health Trusts in the country. Employing over 4,000 staff we provide mental health, secure, substance misuse and learning disability services across Norfolk and Suffolk. Our mission is to promote recovery and wellbeing, physical health,

Hello! »Welcome

THE ARMED FORCES RESETTLEMENT MAGAZINE

We explore medical careers in a feature article, including making the transition as a doctor, nurse or dentist - or retraining into these indemand fields. Alex Cooper will make you laugh this month in his column as he highlights some of the military behaviours that don’t work in the civilian workplace – as well as the traits that civilian employers love! Keith Turnbull is back with a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA). Sian Richardson talks about getting a posse together to help you on your career hunt. Finally, remember to check out our job and training fairs listed on page 62, including the BFRS events where you can meet up with employers and training providers.

HOW TO...

GET A POSITIVE ATTITUDE CLAIM ELCS BUY A NEW HOUSE

SECURE YOUR NEXT JOB TESTED DRIVING THE NEW PASSAT ESTATE & HONDA CR-V TRAINING RESETTLEMENT RECRUITMENT

FREE

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE RFEA AND BFRS

SERVING

ROYAL NAVY ARMY & AIR FORCE

HOW TO...

GET A POSITIVE ATTITUDE CLAIM ELCS BUY A NEW HOUSE

SECURE YOUR NEXT JOB TESTED DRIVING THE NEW PASSAT ESTATE & HONDA CR-V

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WALES!

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MEDICAL

PRINCE HARRY RETIRES

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THE ARMED FORCES RESETTLEMENT MAGAZINE

This month’s Vet of Note is none other than Captain Harry Wales! As he officially retires from the Army this month, will it be a princely transition?

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Our cover man is Colonel Lance Patterson, second in command of the Army of Wales. We spoke to him to get his insight into the range of support available in Wales for service leavers, with Col Patterson describing the “unique” support network in Wales, extending all the way up to the Welsh First Minister.

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ith my Welsh roots I’ve had lots of fun working on this issue! We’ve gone crazy for Cymru, working in partnership with Wales.com to bring you an 8 page relocation feature. If you are in the process of deciding where to settle, we delve into what you need to know about living in Wales including an introduction to the regions, practical information and a primer on the support available for ex-forces folks.

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Cool Cymru

FOUR MUST READS IN THIS ISSUE

DOCTORS, NURSES & DENTISTS

CHARITY, ENTERPRISE

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3 MUST READS

1 LIVE IN WALES Life’s cool in Cymru – read all about it in our 8 page relocation feature. P34

2 PRINCE HARRY Will it be a princely transition from the Army for Captain Harry Wales? P20

3 COLONEL LANCE PATTERSON “Get your preparation right and together with the support available, Wales has a lot to offer”. P30

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Caroline Equipped Media Group Ltd Office 5, 19 Underwood Road, Paisley, PA3 1TH Telephone 0141 840 4902 Interim Editor CAROLINE JONES CARRICK editor@equippedmedia.co.uk Designer/Media & Communications Mgr. BLAIR CARRICK blair.carrick@equippedmedia.co.uk

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General Manager JACQUIE MCGEOCH jacquie.mcgeoch@equippedmedia.co.uk Forces Consultant KEVIN BRANNIGAN kevin.brannigan@equippedmedia.co.uk Financial Accountant SUSAN NEWMAN susan.newman@equippedmedia.co.uk

Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of EQUIPPED, the publishers can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors, manufactucturers or advitisers. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Company registration number 08024516

Magazine & online June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 3

» JUNE 2015

CONTENTS 30

JOBS AVAILABLE WITH... NORFOLK ANS SUFFOLK NHS PAGE 2 BIDVEST PAGE 11 MEDAC PAGE 22

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Inside

This issue 6 BIG PIC

Lightning speed fast jet trials 8 NEWS Latest updates 13 LOST IN TRANSITION Just military enough 14 PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Be positive 16 CV Get support 18 CHARITY Reading Force 20 VET OF NOTE Prince Harry 24 ENTERPRISE Armed Forces Day 26 BFRS Transition support 30 COVER: LANCE PATTERSON Exclusive interview 34 WALES FEATURE Move to Wales 44 HOUSING Why buy new? 48 MEDICAL CAREERS Doctors, nurses & dentists 52 ELC Your guide 54 MOTORING VW Passat, Honda CR-V 62 CAREER EVENTS Employment and traning fairs 64 CTP FACTFILE Vacancies 66 LETTERS Get in touch

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CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE SIAN RICHARDSON Former military spouse and career transition expert Sian founded Career Master 4 Military Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

KEITH TURNBULL Career transition and personal development expert Keith is a business and leadership coach

ANDREW NOAKES Our motoring editor test-drives the Volkswagen Passat and the Honda CR-V June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 5

»Bulletin

» ROYAL BABY » HOMECOMINGS » WELLINGTON » ZANZIBAR » FREE TRAINING

Lightning speed A group of Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel are currently at sea onboard USS WASP, joining American colleagues in the latest F-35B Lightning II fast jet trials. Lightning II is a STOVL aircraft: Short Take Off Vertical Landing. It will place the UK at the forefront of fighter technology, giving the RAF a true multi-role all weather, day and night capability, able to operate from well-established land bases, deployed locations or the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth Class

Aircraft Carriers. The six United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lightning II aircraft are onboard USS WASP, off the coast of the United States’ Eastern Seaboard. The aircraft are assessing the ship/air integration and effectiveness across flight operations, communications, maintenance support and logistical supply. Operational Test activity will include carrier qualifications for aircraft take-off and landing, and air combat/air defence missions over sea.

6 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

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June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 7

Royal baby revelry

he birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s second child was marked by Royal Salutes by Army units in Hyde Park and at HM Tower of London on the 4th May. Bank Holiday crowds flocked to the firing sites to join in the celebrations and show their support for the baby Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana of Cambridge. Gun salutes are customarily fired for the birth of every Prince or Princess, no matter where their place is within the succession. Gun Salutes at the Tower have marked the nation’s important occasions since Tudor monarchs reigned. The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) drove out of Armoury House in Finsbury,

FACTOID

20,000

sausages were cooked in HMS Kent’s galley during latest deployment

just after 1pm, pulling three Ceremonial L118 Light Guns with their liveried Pinzgauer vehicles. When the immaculate HAC Guns arrived at the Tower, under command of the Battery Commander Major Danny Daniel, they were brought into action on Gun Wharf, overlooking HMS Belfast. At exactly the same time, in West London, the soldiers, horses and guns of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery rode out in procession from their forward mounting base in Wellington Barracks to make their way past Buckingham Palace, where tourists queued to read the Royal Birth Notice on the easel outside, and then rode up Constitution Hill to Wellington Arch, and into Hyde Park to deliver their salute. Captain Claire Blakiston was the Parade Commander, riding Irish charger Benjamin Buckram. The Royal Artillery Band, whose musicians had been up since dawn practising special arrangements of music suitable to welcome the new Princess,

entertained the expectant crowds in the Royal Park with familiar tunes, from Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely?” to Elton John’s “The Circle of Life”. Suddenly, 53 soldiers and 71 horses pulling six First World War-era Ordnance Quick Fire13-Pounder Field Guns came dramatically into action to place the Guns into position for the Royal Salute near Park Lane. As Big Ben struck two O’clock in Westminster, the two Royal

Salutes miles apart, at either end of the capital, began to fire in unison and with perfect precision. In Hyde Park, each of the six Guns fired blank artillery rounds at ten-second intervals until forty one shots had been fired. Meanwhile at the Tower of London, a longer salute was fired of 62 rounds with one of the three Guns fired every ten seconds. The extra 21 rounds indicated the Royal Salute had been fired from the City itself as a sign of loyalty to the Monarch.

four more due once the ship gets home. HMS Dauntless steamed more than 23,000 miles since deploying to the Gulf in January. Operating across the same region as HMS Kent she

has also worked alongside multinational partners including the US and France as well as carrying out maritime security patrols and promoting partnerships in the region. The deployment also included a visit to Kuwait where they hosted a reception for Prince Charles as well as a stand-down in Dubai. Further visits to Abu Dhabi and Bahrain completed her time in the Gulf prior to her transit back to the UK. Engineering Technician (Mechanical Engineering) Sam Luckett from Portsmouth made the most of his homecoming by proposing to his girlfriend Danielle Cotton after being first off his ship’s gangway!

Happy homecoming Royal Navy warships HMS Kent and HMS Dauntless returned to Portsmouth on May 15 following deployment on maritime security operations in the Gulf. The Portsmouth-based warships divided their time between international naval efforts to prevent criminal activity in the Indian Ocean and supporting US and French carriers as they launched missions against key ISIL targets in the Middle East. HMS Kent has travelled over 47,000 miles since deploying from Portsmouth last October operating across the Gulf, Red Sea and Mediterranean. Since deploying, the ship visited ports including Crete, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Jordan,

8 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

Muscat, Djibouti, Qatar, Montenegro, Palermo. Her busy galley has cooked up almost 20,00 sausages, 31,000 eggs and 774 roasts. Four babies have been born to dads serving on board with

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»News NEWS IN BRIEF Refugee rescue

8th Duke of Wellington remembered

service of thanksgiving was held on the 12th of March in the Guards’ Chapel, Wellington Barracks, for the life of the 8th Duke of Wellington. A distinguished soldier, Brigadier Arthur Valerian Wellesley KG, LVO, OBE, MC, DL was born on 2nd July 1915 and died on New Year’s Eve 31st December 2014. Family and friends of the late Duke were joined in the Chapel by Her Majesty The Queen and many members of the Royal Family. Lord Carrington, actor Robert Hardy, Jemma Kidd, and James Blunt were also among the hundreds of distinguished guests. The service was conducted by the Reverend Dowell Conning, Senior Chaplain to the Household Division and Headquarters London District. The Band of the Household Cavalry played music by Holst, Bach, Handel and Elgar accompanied by the Choir of the Guards Chapel. Thanks were given at the service for the Duke’s qualities of leadership, his courage displayed in combat, his infectious optimism and indomitable spirit. During his life he kept a judicious eye on the legacy of his ancestor, the victor of Waterloo, and planted a million trees which will be a lasting memorial for generations to come. During the service Lord Christopher Wellesley read the

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Citation for the Military Cross awarded to the Duke of Wellington for the valuable intelligence he gathered while serving in the Household Cavalry Regiment as a Second Lieutenant in Palmyra, Syria in 1941. Posted to Germany after the war, he considered leaving the Army until King George VI asked him to stay on, saying: “I like to have people I know in the Household Cavalry.” The following year Arthur Wellesley stood guard for 22 periods at the King’s lying-instate. His next significant posting was as commanding officer of the Blues and Royals in Cyprus, where it is claimed he always slept with a pistol under his pillow. He then commanded the Royal Armoured Corps in Germany and was military attaché in Madrid. He retired from the Army in 1968 in the rank of Brigadier. He worked hard to modernise the Wellington estates, opening to the public Stratfield Saye - the 17th-century house near Reading which had been given by the nation to the 1st Duke, and creating a 700-acre country park. In the course of 40 years, it was estimated that he planted at least one million trees. In 1973 the Duke of Wellington founded The Waterloo Committee following a successful joint effort with Lord Anglesey to stop the building of a motorway across the battlefield in Belgium.

ROYAL NAVY RESCUE HMS Bulwark, the Royal Navy flagship was alerted to four craft in potential distress approximately 40 miles off the coast of Libya. Each 30-foot inflatable boat were reported to be carrying approximately 100 migrants, including a number of pregnant women, as well as children. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, said: “Including today’s events the Royal Navy will have rescued about 600 people since starting operations at the beginning of the month.” TRUE COLOURS Her Majesty the Queen met the 1st Battalion the Welsh Guards at Windsor in a ceremony at the end of April. The Queen, Colonel-in-Chief, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, and The Prince of Wales, accompanied by The Duchess of Cornwall,

presented New Colours to the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards before joining the regiment and their guests at a Regimental Garden Party in the castle grounds. UNDER THE SEA A Plymouth based warship has been put through her paces exercising with submarines off the coasts of Scotland and Norway. HMS Portland began her workout by providing the opposition for the final stage of Submarine Command Course or ‘Perisher’ as it is more widely known. The course gets its nickname from the number of prospective Commanding Officers who have had their submarine careers ended by this gruelling assessment. On completion of her Perisher commitments, the frigate then travelled across to Norway for Exercise Dynamic Mongoose 15. Perisher course

June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 9

»News

Zanzibar oddysey

or the first time in over 50 years, a Royal Navy warship has visited the East African archipelago of Zanzibar. Currently deployed to the region, the Portsmouth based frigate stopped off to collect stores after a length period at sea carrying out maritime security operations in the Indian Ocean. It was a proud moment for the ship’s company with the Second Vice President of Zanzibar, Seif Ali Iddi visiting the vessel for lunch and a tour. Commander Mark Anderson Royal Navy, the ship’s Commanding Officer, said: “It’s a real privilege to be the first Royal Navy ship to visit Zanzibar in a generation; this visit will strengthen ties with

logistics company in Northampton is set to train and recruit up to 100 new delivery drivers in the next 12 months. Set up by the Directors of Northampton based Action Express, AE Driver Training and Recruitment will fund the full cost of Category C+E licences and provide a guaranteed full time job for those who pass. The move follows Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin’s warning of driver shortages ahead of Christmas, which saw consumers urged to shop earlier to avoid disappointment. Building on 33 years’ experience in the logistics industry, the new company will provide professionally trained delivery drivers for local businesses. Elaine Harries, who setup the new company with business partner Syed Ziaullah, said: “There’s currently a major shortage of Category C + E drivers here in the UK, while at the same time the ever increasing popularity of internet retailing has meant there is greater demand for drivers than ever before. “In order to attract more people into the industry we’ve made

10 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

an important regional partner in the fight against maritime crime.” With the Tanzanian Navy and also ships from France and Australia, Richmond is working in the Indian Ocean as part of the Combined Maritime Forces Combined Task Force 150, their mission is to promote maritime security and cut down on terrorist activity and other illegal activities. Warrant Officer 2 George Boardman said: “Thirty eight years in the Royal Navy and this is the first time I’ve stopped in Zanzibar, so it has been a new destination to add to the list.” As well as getting vital supplies, and strengthening ties with the Tanzanian Navy, personnel from the ship have volunteered to restore

Commonwealth war graves on Zanzibar’s ‘Grave Island’. The island is the resting place for 24 Royal Navy sailors

Free training opportunity

the decision to fully fund the cost of acquiring up to a Category C+E licence, with a guaranteed full time job at the end for those that pass.” Talking about the types of candidates the new firm is looking for Elaine added: “We’re open to any applicant with the

drive and determination to do well however, we are particularly interested in young people. With more than 250,000 drivers expected to retire in the next 15 years we hope that by offering to pay the £2,500 cost of a licence application we can encourage more people age 21 and up to

who died in the Battle of Zanzibar, fought between Germany and Britain during the First World War.

consider a career in logistics.” As well as working for Action Express, drivers will be made available to other businesses in the local area. Concluding the reasons why she decided to launch the new company Elaine remarked: “We often find it difficult to find good quality drivers. After more than 30 years of working in the logistics industry and with the lack of drivers reaching crisis point, we thought who better to train and recruit reliable professional drivers for the local area.” The company is already working with the British Forces Resettlement Services to provide roles for local service personal due to come out of the military and has already secured 52 expressions of interest. A CAT C licence starting salary is £21,500 and a CAT C+E licence starting salary is £24,500. In addition there will be a 3% non contributory pension, life insurance, health shield and 29 days paid holiday which includes 8 bank holidays. Applicants are encouraged to contact AEdriver@actionexpress.co.uk or telephone 01604 700400 for further details. Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

LGV CLASS 2 DRIVERS WANTED Banbury, Hoddesdon and Royton Annualised Hours £30,309 to £34,558 per annum Inclusive of allowances. Benefits: Pension, 23 days holiday pa, Health Cash Plan, Childcare Vouchers, Personal Accident and Life Assurance.

Do you hold a current LGV 2 licence with 35 hours of completed CPC training? Are you looking for a challenging and rewarding driving role? Bidvest Logistics are looking for skilled delivery drivers to help us provide a superior service to some of the best known names in the UK hospitality industry. As a delivery driver for Bidvest Logistics, you will be the face of our business. You will give the best possible impression of our organisation by helping our customers to receive their delivery

without any confusion or fuss. Working on an annualised hours contract encompassing some weekend and public holiday working, you will be confident to drive and deliver to various outlets throughout the UK. With over 1,400 employees across five locations, Bidvest Logistics delivers 49 million cases per year; that’s 10,000 deliveries per week. As a Bidvest driver, you could be part of that.

Interested? Apply online at: www.bidvestlogistics.com Or email your CV to: recruitment@bidvestlogistics.com

Your New Life Starts Here • Run your own business with earnings of £100,000+ • Work close to home and build an asset you can sell • Manage your diary to spend more time with your family

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“Everything has panned out exactly as we were told it would. Dream Doors has been honest from the start, painting a realistic picture with real figures. I'm really enjoying being a business owner and have absolutely no regrets at all.” Ex-teacher, Lesley Wallace, joined in 2012 and sold half-a-million pounds in her first year. “This franchise works and the returns are much better than we'd expected. The figures we were shown are very conservative; we beat our first year targets in just four months. We should have done this sooner as I love coming into work every day.” Ex-police officer, Mark Battin sold three-quarters-of-a-million pounds in his first full year. “This business gets better and better all the time. We've had more record breaking months already this year. Sales like ours can only be achieved if you have the right support network around you; whether that is staff or suppliers, the franchisor or your family.” Ex-IT specialists, Angela and Clive sold more than £1 million last year. “We wanted to start our own business, but take some of the risk out of the equation. Dream Doors ticked every box: it's well-established with a strong track record, plus it has an excellent support network. And, with such a busy start, we've relied on that support.” Ex-police officer, Gareth Kavanagh-Dixon, sold £450,000 in his first year.

NO KITCHEN EXPERIENCE NEEDED this is a sales and management franchise Dream Doors is the UK's largest kitchen facelift retailer and a FULL member of the British Franchise Association. 10-time award winners, the company has been trading since 1999 and has transformed more than 40,000 homes across the country.

To start your new life, and join 60 fellow franchisees, contact Dream Doors today.

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»Lost in transition

»News

ALEX COOPER

n a recent visit to a military training establishment I observed 20 or so young people being rather rudely directed around the parade square at not-quite-but-nearly running pace by a shouty man. My first thought was not pride, or even schadenfreude, but “that looks a bit silly.” It was at this point I realised after 2 years out of uniform I had transitioned. It got me thinking: what do civilians see and think when they meet a former soldier, sailor or airperson? When it comes to ex-forces in the workplace what aspects of one’s former life are useful in securing and thriving in a new job? Napoleon Bonaparte summed up the military harshly in a single sentence: “a soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of coloured ribbon.” While serving in the forces that makes complete sense, and having Adrian Carton de Wiart* as a role model is entirely understandable. The individual regiment, squadron or ship is at the centre of the universe, and the arcane customs (habits in the Crabs) and sometimes bizarre clothing make sense for reasons only known to members of that special club. Everyone and everything else, a loose grouping of friends, relatives and strangers collectively known as ‘f***ing civvies’, sit around the periphery with varying degrees of irrelevance. Likewise, in the forces certain ways of behaving are encouraged – it is understood that straight dealing, blunt honesty, and robustness are how you should communicate with your fellow man. Calling a spade a spade, your best mate a w*nker and your boss a f***ing Rupert are completely acceptable (along with heavy alcohol consumption and “naked bar”). It’s also typical to judge someone by the way they look (waist size, cub scout

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Be just military enough

Showcase traits civilian employers love - and ditch the rest badges, funny coloured hats) as though these give a strong indication of the nature of the person in front of you. The reality is you will spend far longer on the outside than inside the forces, making time spent inside the military a working holiday from the rest of your life. The majority of the population has no understanding or experience of the forces beyond what they have seen on TV. When you hand in your MoD 90 you are joining the world where the fat accountant with the dodgy

dress sense may be the most competent person in the company and the reason it’s still trading. Once you transition you

“WHAT DO CIVILIANS SEE AND THINK WHEN THEY MEET A FORMER SOLDIER, SAILOR OR AIRPERSON?” cannot get away with behaviour that might be acceptable in the Mess. Don’t be shouty and order people around, civvies won’t JFDI and you will find yourself in an

employment tribunal if you try. Likewise you will make your way rapidly to the Job Centre if you indulge in the kind of humour that once seemed entirely normal – especially forwarding ‘funny’ emails. “Think-breathespeak” must be your motto. It’s not all doom and gloom though. In the last decade or so the forces’ profile has been raised a fair bit and has attached kudos to those who wear HM’s uniform. There are plenty of traits to hang on to. The smart, polite, on time, neat hair thing – these are positive aspects that employers love. Other pluses are decisiveness, taking responsibility, a decent work ethos and not going sick with ‘stress’ when someone tells you off. Try to balance that with not expecting much special recognition; your audience won’t know a Warrior from a washing machine, and a corporal might as well outrank a lieutenant colonel for all they are aware. Just be obviously competent and positive. At the outset you are likely to have little business experience, but try not to equate everything to the military. Soon enough you will pick up the gist of your new workplace and will be able to relate to your co-workers in a way with which they are comfortable and familiar. The more you can do while serving to get something of relevance under your belt, the better – this will serve you well while still in as an extra line on your OJAR/SJAR, and will also help your CV look less like a JPA printout. You are likely to have developed many skills and traits as a result of your service; sift them and use those that will benefit you in the workplace. Keep the rest (like your ability to stand after 15 pints) locked up until the next unit reunion – and just ensure the photos don’t make it onto facebook. *Google him – he was ace. June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 13

»Personal development

KEITH TURNBULL

n today’s world, we experience more uncertainty and confusing times than we have ever before. Every time you turn on the TV or get on the internet, there is always some news that just weighs you down. Add to that, you have your own personal issues to deal with then often this negativity can cause you to feel stuck, lost or full of anxiety. It is natural when leaving employment or a comfort zone generally, that you take certain expectations and hopes with you. If you are reluctant to leave or have no choice in the matter you may feel a decline in your overall wellbeing. If, however, you chose to leave in anticipation of something else, then this control and positive decision could lead to greater happiness and even greater positivity. The key is a PMA or Positive Mental Attitude. There are a few key processes or steps to the successful management of change whatever it is and this always starts with managing expectations for the future. Over enthusiasm or worse still, pure fear and negativity, will likely limit your future success. The term GOYA exists in the coaching world which stands for “get off your attitude” relating to not remaining in a position of stalemate. I say “get on your attitude”, let’s call this GOYA+, and that means go find your positive future through positive thinking. To be positive think positive; every action starts in the mind. Imagine if you kept telling yourself you can’t do a thing then you probably never will. I have always wanted to get a book published and kept stalling. Then I found my GOYA+ for writing and today am half way finish, already have a publisher and even two production companies asking for a film storyline. Now we all need a bit of luck but not as

14 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

Positive

Mental Attitude (PMA) Get a positive mindset and you’ll go places much as getting positive and thinking “I will” or “I can”. Focus on the future, not the past. You can’t change what’s already happened, but you can control your attitude and

“TO BE POSITIVE THINK POSITIVE; EVERY ACTION STARTS IN THE MIND” look forward instead. Write down what you want to

happen to you in both the medium and long term. Be bold! Then plan for these “events” to happen and truly think what needs to happen to shift you from X 2 Y. When considering or researching what needs to be done aim to only read or listen to positive information rather than others who may need a GOYA kick or who may never get out from under their

negative cloud. Something great can happen to you - why shouldn’t it? Try to mix with other likeminded (or positive) people and see yourself instinctively becoming more positive. It just works. Listening to positive people builds inner confidence and much “I can” belief. Now, for many networking can be a scary and uncertain thing to do. There are articles on how best to try networking including in past issues of Equipped - so search them out and take the positives from a number of them. And remember, almost everyone is anxious about meeting “strangers.” When you experience successes, no matter how small, then be grateful. Perhaps reward yourself but know that you have now shifted into GOYA+ and have moved closer towards your future success. The last tip I suggest for getting and keeping your PMA is simple exercise. While I don’t understand the medical reasons why, I do know how much better and stronger I feel after exercise. SOTB; stay off the bus, exercise. So to recap, we must “think positive” first and foremost. Stay in the present looking towards the future only. Plan your future actions well using only positive information, positive advice and stay away from the “can’t doers”. Seek out those who you know can help and those who have their own PMA. They are easy to find for they smile and laugh more than most. When you have success, appreciate it. And work on being healthy and active. Finally, it is important when transitioning from any position or place in life to another to always enjoy the process. It is never about the arrival but about the journey itself- so make the most of it! Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

cti

resettlement training

compliance

training instructor course

Value:

£2000+ £2,400 products

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Qualifying trainers, managers and compliance specialists for the future Train2Train is the leading provider of compliance training and instructor-based courses within the UK.

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Our compliance training instructor course allows delegates to deliver 15 accredited QCF qualifications including first aid, health and safety, food safety, fire safety, and moving and handling. As part of the course you will also receive a comprehensive instructor’s CD valued at over £2,400 which can be loaded onto your iPad mini (the iPad mini is included as part of the course for each delegate), this is inclusive of training presentations, handouts and delegate thumbnails. Delegates will also be eligible to register with Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance (HABC), which will allow for the delivery and certification of the qualifications. This unique course will allow you to teach either through your own company or on behalf of a training organisation. It is also a fantastic addition to any cv to place in front of a prospective employer. Training venues include: • Doncaster • Oakham (Leics) • Catterick • Blandford Forum

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> Don’t go it alone! 5 tips to get career transition support eel like you’re on your own? No-one to share your Career Transition worries with? Got lots of questions but nobody to ask? Try these simple ways to build a supportive network to help you decide which path to take and how to get to your destination.

Build your network

Don’t just think of your mates or the blokes in the pub, but people who can really help you onto the next step in your career. The internet is a terrific tool to help you find out information and start building your network. If you want to find out all about a certain jobs, just conduct a search it and you’ll find thousands of pages of information.

Decide what you’re good at and what you enjoy 2

It’s doubtful you’ll be happy doing any old job, just because it’s a job or your military careers adviser thought it might be a good idea. You’ll have a far more successful transition and be a great deal happier doing something you enjoy and something you’re good at. Use your talents to the fullest effect. Think about past roles you’ve

“YOU NEED CONSTRUCTIV SUPPORTIVE E, PEOPLE WHO WILL ACTIVELY HELP YOU”

16 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

had and which ones you enjoyed most. What did you like best about the job? This also works throughout your job search, doing those mundane things like writing a CV, cover letter or LinkedIn profile. If you don’t enjoy it, aren’t very good at it and would far rather spend your time doing other things, like concentrating on developing your skills or gaining new qualifications, then my advice is don’t do it! Get an expert CV superhero to do it for you. It really won’t cost you as much as you may think and will save you so much time, giving you a more professional end product. Think of it as an investment.

Network, network and network some more 3

Networking gets you off your backside and out through the door meeting other people and finding opportunities. You’re an active guy/gal. You’re not used to sitting in a darkened room hoping the universe will deliver a super-duper new job to you without any effort on your part! You’re the get up and get at ‘em sort – chin up, chest out and crack on with it. Heard the saying “It’s not what you know, but who you know”? Well new acquaintances may be able to put you in touch with opportunities or possibly point you in the direction of other people who can help. LinkedIn is a great place to network too. There are thousands of groups in almost every possible sector/field - millions of people all with links to people who can help you. Have you got a strong LinkedIn profile? Joined lots of groups in the sector you are aiming for? Following the companies

you’d like to work with? You can find out who are the key people – section managers, hiring managers, contracts managers, HR managers. Send them a brief message and request to connect. Let them see your profile (make sure it looks great!) and maybe they’ll be able to let you know if there’s anything coming up. Join the groups they’re in.

Ask the right people for help and get ongoing support 4

You need constructive, supportive people who will actively look for ways to help you. Online forums can be great places to ask for help with a specific query. Or you can ask the experts to work with you throughout your transition, taking you step by step through each phase. 5

Create accountability

Your team can support you by helping you keep to your commitments and reach your goals. It’s difficult to do this sort of thing on your own. Most people need someone to prod them now and then into action and not accept excuses for not doing something. It’s easy to put off doing the things we don’t like doing, like writing our CV until we have to and then it’s usually a last minute attempt that just doesn’t work. They’ll cheer you on as you make progress and give you a friendly nudge when you need it, but accountability lies with you. Need help for a successful transition? Contact www. CareerMaster4Military.co.uk - the military CV and transition experts. Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

ÂťCV assistance

Sian Richardson

Founder & Career Transition Expert, Career Master 4 Military Sian is a former military spouse with firsthand experience of military-to-civilian career transition. Before establishing Career Master 4 Military, Sian spent 20 years with a FTSE 100 company and left after being headhunted by the chairman of a national financial services organisation to manage his UK operation. Having managed HR and trained as a specialist recruiter, Sian has hired personnel at all levels. Email: MyCV@ careermaster-cvs.co.uk

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 17

On the same page

> Reading Force will keep you connected with family & friends eading Force is a shared reading initiative for Service and exService families and is helping to bring families closer together in a fun way. It encourages families and friends – whether at home together, separated by deployment or training, or ex-Services – to choose a book that they can all read (or have read to them), talk about it, then pool their thoughts about the title in a free scrapbook. Families receive a certificate and the prize of a book for taking part. What’s more, it’s FREE to participate. The project was founded by Dr Alison Baverstock in 2010 and piloted in Aldershot on a shoe-string budget. Academic, author, and mother of four, Alison has been an Army wife for thirty years and drew on her own experience of her soldier husband’s frequent deployments when setting up Reading Force. ‘When my husband was deployed, or away on training, it was often difficult to remain in touch. I would be getting on with life at home, busy managing the children, while he could be far away – and often we could neither talk about, nor picture, what he was doing or where he was. Even when we were all together again, there were times when communication was hard. For example at the end of a tour you have to learn to live together again, and when preparing for another move, it could be difficult to talk about the challenges we were all facing – and had to get

18 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

on with.’ book can be read – fiction or Alison found that when non-fiction. grappling to overcome such Each family who wants to challenges, the best conversatake part receives a scrapbook tions she had with her which has a special free book husband were when they had postcard voucher inside for both read the same book. families to send off and claim Domestic and deployment their book. An age appropriate stress was bypassed – plus book is posted to the family, they had a good talk. Alison ranging from classic picture encouraged her children to do books such as Julia the same thing with their Donaldson’s Room on the Dad, and discovered they too Broom for families with prefound it easier and more fulschool children, to hot teen filling to chat on the phone reads such as James Dashner’s when there was a shared comThe Maze Runner. mon ground – a book. Families in a variety of cirFunded by a variety of public cumstances can benefit from and charitable organizations taking part in Reading Force: it (The Armed Forces Covenant can be used to stay feeling close Libor Fund, Hampshire to a parent who is away on County and Rushmoor deployment or training; Borough Council, Kingston divorced parents have used it as University, ABF The Soldiers’ a useful activity to focus away Charity, The Arts Council), from their difficulties and onto Reading Force has grown to their children; some families become a national and use it as an opportunity for international scheme (available children to speak with their grandparents more; it can to families posted overseas), used by help families regroup more and after a deployment more or move of home; “IN THE families. It it can boost chilEVENINGS, WE is for dren’s SWITCHED TH E T V children confidence OFF AND SAT of all and pleasure of TOGETHER ages reading; it is a READING THE from useful activity BOOK AND birth for families TALKING” onwards adjusting to non(reading to Service life and babies is a great resettlement. way of developing Some families say it’s their concentration!), and is the first time they have read a free for all Armed Forces, book together and that they Reserves, Cadets, Service enjoyed doing it so much they people who are injured or plan to keep sharing books. It rehabilitating, and ex-Services can help improve communicachildren and families. Any tion and best of all,

participants report they find doing Reading Force with their family really fun! Whether ex-Services, injured, resettling, or adjusting to non-Service life, Reading Force gives family members common ground to talk about, and can help take the heat out of domestic stress.

CONTACT BOX Go to www.readingforce. org.uk and request your free book and scrapbook. Or email info@readingforce.org.uk

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

»Charity

REAL READING FORCE FAMILIES… Jasmine Jasmine’s family had recently been posted to Germany when they decided to do Reading Force. Jasmine particularly enjoyed receiving her scrapbook and free book in the post. Her family is truly global, with members living in many different countries from the Falkland Islands to Australia. Jasmine’s mum set up a Facebook group for her so she could do Reading Force with her friends and family. Jasmine wrote

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in her scrapbook, ‘I love their comments. As you can see, they live all over the world!’ Her fantastic scrapbook includes a map, drawings, photographs, comments from family and friends, and notes about the book (Kes Gray’s Daisy and the Trouble with Life). Her mum said that Jasmine was finding it quite hard living in Germany and that doing Reading Force was helpful. ‘The scrapbook was a great motivator, Thank you. We would love to do it again.’

David David was in the Navy for seventeen years and now works for the Ministry of Defence in Gosport. Although the family were not separated by deployment or training, they welcomed the chance to read together. They read Lizzy Zipmouth by Jacqueline Wilson and each member of the family took turns to read aloud, with David helping his five year old son Alexander. Mum Inma wrote in their

scrapbook: ‘We loved the fact that in the evenings, we switched the TV off and sat together reading the book and then talking about how we thought the different characters felt and how we felt too. It was lovely that each of us contributed with our thoughts and that the children asked what a word meant if they did not know it.’ Everyone in the family contributed to the scrapbook.

June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 19

Captain Harry Wales retires > We look back at his decade of service and hear his plans for the future rince Harry leaves the Army this month after ten years of full-time military service. It won't be a typical military transition, that's for sure, and colleagues and civilians alike will be interested to see what the popular soldier-prince does next. During his service he has undertaken two operational tours of duty in Afghanistan, qualified as an Apache Aircraft Commander and spearheaded the Invictus Games. It all started in 2005 when he was a young Officer Cadet at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Looking back, Prince Harry said: “After a decade of service, moving on from the Army has been a really tough decision. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had the chance to do some very challenging jobs and have met many fantastic people in the process. From learning the hard way to stay onside with my Colour Sergeant at Sandhurst, to the incredible people I served with during two tours in Afghanistan - the experiences I have had over the last 10 years will stay with me for the rest of my life. For that I will always be

20 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

hugely grateful.” Kensington Palace made the retirement announcement in March, stating that the Prince has had a fulfilling military career and considers it a huge honour to have served his country in the Armed Forces, with the Prince making this statement: “Inevitably most good things come to an end and I am at a crossroads in my military career. Luckily for me, I will continue to wear the uniform and mix with fellow servicemen and women for the rest of my life, helping where I can, and mak“...WHIL ing sure FINISHING OENI AM the next OF MY LIFE, IEAPART few GETTING STRA M IG Invictus INTO A NEW HT Games CHAPTER. working are as REALLY LOOIKAM to protect amazing FORWARD TOING IT.” and conas the last.” serve their Prince natural Harry plans resources and on heading to wildlife. Africa this summer In Autumn, Prince Harry for voluntary work alongside will return to work in a volunfield-based conservation tary capacity with the Ministry experts. He will focus his time of Defence's Recovery learning how local communiCapability Programme, while ties in sub-Saharan Africa are

actively considering other longer term employment opportunities. Prince Harry will continue to support Case Officers at London District's Personnel Recovery Unit, working with both those who are administering and receiving physical and mental care within the London District area - new experiences he says he looks forward to: Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

»Veteran of note

“I am considering the options for the future and I am really excited about the possibilities...so while I am finishing one part of my life, I am getting straight into a new chapter. I am really looking forward to it." General Sir Nicholas Carter, Chief of the General Staff, paid tribute to Prince Harry's military career: "Captain Harry Wales, as he is Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

known affectionately in the Army, has achieved much in his ten years as a soldier. He has been at the forefront throughout his service. He has insisted on being treated the same as his peers. We wish him the very best for the future, we thank him for his service, and we look forward to his continuing involvement with his regiments and with our wounded." June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 21

Leaving the forces?

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As well as nationwide NHS roles across all professions, we can offer you career options you may not have considered including:

Undertaking agency work can give you the flexibility to work when and where you want, giving you time to settle back into civilian life.

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As preferred suppliers to the NHS we have more shifts and a wider choice of locations than most agencies.

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Apply now Phone: 0845 605 6031 Email: globaljobs@medacs.com Web: www.medacs.com/ex-forces

Medacs Healthcare is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and promote equal opportunity. Medacs Healthcare Registered Office: 800 The Boulevard, Capability Green, Luton LU1 3BA. Registered in England and Wales No. 2518546

NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Railway Engineering Overhead Line Construction (QCF) Akona Ltd is a Training Solutions Company specialising in the delivery of various vocational training packages. We offer a wide variety of rail courses and in 2014 opened a brand new indoor practical rail training centre. Akona Ltd is an NSARE approved provider of Overhead line Electrification Training which meets to Network Rail Standards.

Visit: www.akonz.biz Email: info@akona.biz Tel: 01928 518004

Rail Course List: Personal Track Safety AC Personal Track Safety DCCR OLEC 1 OLEC 2 OLEC 3 NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Railway Engineering Electrification Construction (QCF)

22 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

This Level 3 Qualification includes:  Personal Track Safety DCCR (PTS)  Health and Safety Training (Working Safely at Heights, Moving and Handling, Manual Handling, Harness Safety, Fire Awareness and Emergency First Aid)  Overhead Line Electrification Level 1 (OLEC 1)  Overhead Line Electrification Level 2 (OLEC 2)  Overhead Line Electrification Level 3 (OLEC 3) The course will be completed in our brand new indoor practical rail training centre and includes practical training sessions, classroom sessions and assessments. For this qualification we can offer you a rail sponsor and employment opportunities. As Akona Ltd is an ELCAS approved training provider this qualification can be funded by Enhanced Learning Credits.

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

Armed forces day means business

> Guildford Borough Council and X-Forces are joining forces to help ex-military with career transition By Guildford Borough Council and X-Forces

rmed Forces Day is nearly here: the annual national celebration to raise awareness, show support and celebrate the contribution of our servicemen and women, past and present. This year the seventh Armed Forces Day National Event takes place in Guildford, Surrey on Saturday 27 June. Guildford demonstrated its enduring commitment to the Armed Forces by signing the Armed Forces Community Covenant

24 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

in April 2013. The townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hosting of the flagship event will mark the culmination of a week of celebration across the UK. Cities, towns and villages are invited to raise the Armed Forces Day flag to show their support and appreciation for the contribution made by Servicemen and women and the sacrifices they make. The first Armed Forces Day national event was held at the Historic Dockyard, Chatham in 2009. Subsequent national celebrations were held in

Cardiff in 2010, Edinburgh in 2011, Plymouth in 2012 and Nottingham in 2013. Stirling 2014, was attended by HRH The Princess Royal, the Prime Minister, and more than 35,000 people. The idea behind Armed Forces Day is implicit in the Armed Forces Covenant, which sets out the relationship between the nation, the state and the Armed Forces. It recognises that the whole nation has a moral obligation to members of the Armed Forces and their

families and it establishes how they should expect to be treated. In the week leading up to the big event, a special business conference, organised by Guildford Borough Council and X-Forces, will bring business and military personnel together to discuss career transition. In addition to hearing from speakers on topics relating to employment, self-employment and business start-ups, delegates will have the opportunity to take part in networking opportunities and workshops on a choice

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»Enterprise

Celebrate Armed Forces Day in Guildford Guildford Borough Council and partners are planning an exciting line-up of familyfocussed activities on Armed Forces Day for 60,000 people, to help thank everyone working in our Armed Forces - the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force. The day will feature: ■■ Hundreds of Armed Forces personnel will join veterans and cadets in the special military parade - 11.30am from the

of key topics, including: Finances, Marketing, and the Pros and Pitfalls of being an entrepreneur. X-Forces provides business planning support and access to start-up capital to the Armed Forces Community. Local businesses from the community will be present, speaking about their journey into entrepreneurship. Events such as this provide valuable opportunities for businesses and individuals seeking to understand more about business ownership. Especially

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bottom of Guildford High Street to Stoke Park. ■■ Spectacular show in Stoke Park - stalls and static displays from 10.30am, with music and entertainment until 7.30pm when the event closes. Entry is free and no tickets are required to watch the parade or to enter the Stoke Park event. The live action in Stoke Park starts at 1pm. Military highlights include: The Royal

when you are a new business, networking and understanding your community are huge factors for success. X-Forces supports the Armed Forces community across the UK. Among the businesses launched with X-Forces in the Guildford area an occupational health business, event planner, First Aid trainer and Telecommunications Company. Though starting up a business is daunting, our entrepreneurs put all the pas-

Signals White Helmets Motorcycle Display Team, The Royal Navy ‘Raiders’ Parachute Display Team, The Royal Air Force Queen’s Colour Squadron, The Band of the Royal Marines, The Household Cavalry Regiment’s Musical Ride, Wellington College Gun Run, Massed Bands, Apache and Merlin Helicopters and an Infantry Combat Battle Display.

sion and resilience associated with the Armed Forces community into everything they do. Hard work and dedication, are only two of the many values instilled through military training which entrepreneurs need in order to succeed. The conference takes place on Tuesday 23 June at G Live in Guildford from 10am and is entry by ticket only. For more information on the event and for ticket availability contact Emma at X-Forces, emma.laws@x-forces.com

Live entertainment during the event comes from: West End Kidz, Rock Choir, Tenor Thomas Hobbs, Guildford College Performing Arts, Firefly live music and poetry, and Choir Magic. X-Forces will also be running a Business Day in conjunction with Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership on 26 June. Contact X-Forces for more information.

For travel information and event updates guildfordarmedforcesday. co.uk 0330 1230088

For info on Armed Forces Day www.armedforcesday.org.uk If you want to know more about setting up a business, contact Ren Kapur or Mike Mackenzie at X-Forces. www.x-forces.com 0207 811 3236

June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 25

Start your second career with the help of BFRS It’s not always easy deciding on the first steps to take when leaving the forces, which is where British Forces Resettlement Services come in! e are here to help you throughout your transition and resettlement from the forces to Civvy Street. Whether you know what second career you want to go into, or you have no idea whatsoever, we are here to guide you along the way. BFRS run career events throughout the UK, and our next event is on 2nd July at the Hatherley Manor Hotel in Gloucester. Our events are aimed at giving the Armed Forces Community an opportunity to meet with employers and training providers, who are looking to work with and recruit from the AFC. We also have selfemployment opportunities and support services who specialise in the transition from Military to Civilian. All of our exhibitors and partners are from a wide range of industries and have plenty of different opportunities available. For example, at our previous event at the Catterick Leisure Centre on 14th May there were over 4,000 jobs available from our exhibitors, in industries such as Logistics, Engineering, Franchising, IT, Medical and Industrial. Which just goes to show there are many more

“A SECOND CAREER WON’T JUST FALL AT YOUR FEET, HARD WORK AND PERSEVERANCE IS NEEDED” opportunities out there than you realise! Not only do you have access to these opportunities via our careers events, but you can find further information about various companies and options available to you via the BFRS website at www.bfrss.org.uk Every exhibitor who attends our events also appears on our website and any positions or prospects they have available will be promoted further for you to find out more. Make sure you keep an eye out on the website for more information and details about a potential second career after the forces! A great example of where BFRS have 26 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

been able to help someone start their second career after the forces is Sam English. Sam left the Army after being injured in Afghanistan and took full advantage of the service BFRS has to offer by applying for a number of different jobs on the website. He then came across Wolseley UK who are a Partner with BFRS and also attend some of our Careers Events throughout the UK. Sam applied for a Branch Supervisor role at Wolseley’s Parts Centre in Poole, and after a great interview, he was hired! Brian Wynn also left the Army after serving 16 years as an Electronics Technician in the REME. He attended one of the BFRS Careers Events at the Catterick Leisure Centre and found there were many opportunities available to him. He spent the time to talk to the employers at the event and collected a number of business cards so he could get in touch with them afterwards. A great way of networking and making contacts within different industries. After the event he emailed out his CV

and was contacted by 2 large companies offering him an interview for an Electrician position. After attending the interview he was told that they felt he would be more suited to an Electronics Technician role. Brian’s CV was then passed around to other HR reps within the company and eventually he was offered the position of Electronics Technician in Saudi Arabia for Ensco. This goes to show that just turning up to an event and wandering around to collect freebies won’t get you very far, but if you take the time to make use of the opportunities put in front of you to network and make contacts there could be a second career out there waiting for you. A second career won’t just fall at your feet, hard work and perseverance is needed and you will get to where you want to be. Visit www.bfrss.org.uk to find out about the different opportunities available to you, as well as support and advice from the team at BFRS and our partners. Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

»Our partners

Military Medical Personnel

We’re always looking for medical professionals ilitary Medical Personnel are the UK’s largest provider of civilian medical, dental and healthcare locum staff to the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. We are the only dedicated MOD niche agency in the medical, dental and healthcare sector. As well as having many years’ experience in delivering locum staff to the MOD, we have an extensive database of candidates who are committed to working only for MMP. Our ongoing investment in staff training, advertising and the compliance infrastructure ensures we attract and retain the highest calibre candidates and provide quality, safe and compliant locums to military bases throughout the UK and overseas. A large percentage of our candidates are exmilitary personnel and MMP are the first choice of agency for many medical, dental and healthcare staff when leaving the military. We understand the challenges you face and we can help you settle back into an environment

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you are comfortable and familiar with. We currently have long and short term positions throughout the UK and overseas for GP’s, SEM doctors, Aviation Medicine doctors, Practice Nurses, CPN’s, Physiotherapists, Remedial Instructors, Dentists, Dental Nurses & Hygienists, Pharmacy Technicians, Medical Administration and other healthcare professions. We support candidates through our registration process and offer attractive rates of pay together with the flexibility of work as a locum. It is an ideal opportunity for ex-military personnel to utilise their skills and experience when they leave the armed forces. We are extremely pleased to be working with BFRS at their career events and hope we can offer an interesting opportunity for work whilst utilising the valuable experience gained by service personnel. We believe that the BFRS can bring to us the high calibre candidates expected by the MOD for their temporary assignments.

If you would like to find out more about the registration process and the assignments we have available them please contact one of our team who will be happy to discuss this with you.

Events diary 14th May 2015

North Yorkshire Military Community Career Fair

2nd Jul 2015

Gloucestershire Military Community Career Fair

10th Sep 2015

Tidworth Military Community Career Fair

15th Oct 2015

North yorkshire Military Community Career fair

February June 2015 || EQUIPPED | 27

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Make a move > Col Lance Patterson tells Equipped why Wales is “unique” in what it can offer service leavers t’s eight months since Colonel Lance Patterson took up the new post of Deputy Commander 160th Infantry Brigade and HQ Wales in Brecon and it’s a role that’s already proving to be as wide-ranging as it is busy. As part of a re-organisation last Autumn, 160 (Wales) became a deployable brigade as part of 1st (United Kingdom) Division as well as retaining its ‘firm base’ responsibilities. The rejig saw Col Patterson appointed as second in command to the Brigade Commander and head of the Army in Wales, Brigadier Martyn Gamble. For Llanelli-born Col Patterson, it meant a return to Wales more than 25 years after joining the Army in 1988. From initial training at Sandhurst he commissioned in 1989 into the 1st Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Wales, now Royal Welsh, based in Warminster. This period included a three year tour to Hong

30 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

Kong, at the end of which he returned to Tern Hill in Shropshire. He then transferred to the Adjutant General’s Corps, Staff and Personnel Support Branch, where he served with the 1st Royal Tank Regiment and spent some time in Bosnia with 20th Armoured Brigade. His return to Wales last year, to work on the NATO summit in Newport, followed a spell at Army Headquarters. On the day Col Patterson spoke to Equipped Magazine he was involved in helping to co-ordinate the Brigade’s participation in the events to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day in South Wales. Liaising with politicians, public bodies and community organisations is an important part of his job, which includes being in overall charge of the transition pathway for leaving soldiers. Col Patterson describes as “unique” the support network for Army leavers in Wales, which extends all the way to the top, to the Welsh First Minister: “We are

engaged with the Welsh Government at a number of levels, starting right at the top end at a strategic level with the Wales Expert Group,” he said. “We are also involved in a number of ways with every one of the 22 local authorities in Wales. Each of them has an Armed Forces Champion and we hold regular events with all of them. “We also work in detail with organisations such as the Department of Work and Pensions to make sure that their Job Centre Pluses are particularly aware of the requirement of servicemen and women.” When it comes to employment, Col Patterson says there is a demand for skilled personnel: “There is a huge range of job opportunities for men and women leaving the Army here, in both public and private sectors,” he said. “There are HR and administrative roles and we have a large NHS presence in Wales which will support those with medical skills. And there is a large construction industry here. So there is enough industry and variety out there to meet everybody’s needs. “One of the big positives is that there is a real thirst for employing ex-servicemen and women. In my first few months in Wales I have noticed that employers do a lot of preGo to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

»On the cover

Families find service leaver support in Wales

filtering because they know our men and women are reliable and independent and they know they can work hard and produce the goods under pressure. And I think the benefits of employing ex-servicemen and women are well recognised in Wales. “The support that I mentioned earlier from the Welsh Government also includes the area of employment, through the public services agenda. They are very much focused on the military community and they have done a tremendous amount of work to be able to support us.” But, he warns, there’s only so much transition preparation that can be done at the actual point of leaving the Army and that the groundwork has to be done by each individual as early as possible: “The first thing people have to realise is that transition is not something which happens at the end of your career. Transition has to start happening at the beginning of your career. “From the outset we all know that at some point we are going to have to leave the Army. So the over-riding piece of advice is to engage with that early so that you are continually of a mind-set that you need to build up a portfolio of skills and to consider and discuss what you need to do next. “This is by no way a betrayal of your service or a lack of commitment because by Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

showing that you have half an eye on your transition shows you are a broader thinker and you have greater awareness. It also shows you are capable of independence and makes you more resilient. The whole process turns you into a stronger soldier. It’s great to get service leavers well quipped for civilian life but it also means we have better soldiers.” Col Patterson also advises that soldiers grab all the help that’s offered from Day 1: “At the start of your Army career, the process starts off as a chain of command responsibility at your unit level. This is where that continual awareness should start so you can develop the ability to deal with things like personal finances, know how to get housing after leaving and understand what the education set-up is like in the region that you’re going to. “This is also the time that you should learn about some of the public and third sec-

tor organisations which are out there that can support “TRANSITION IS you. For NOT SOMETHING example, WHICH HAPPENS we are AT THE END OF unique YOUR CAREER” here in having Veterans NHS Wales. “Clearly, if you see a 20-year career ahead of you, not all of what you learn at this stage is going to stick. But as your career moves on, my team gets a bit more involved with soldiers at unit level to ensure that transition pathway knowledge is developed and maintained. This work becomes more detailed as you become closer to getting out of the Army, as you head towards the resettlement process. Once your resettlement process is sorted, you’ll be supported as a veteran. “So in the first instance we focus on the soldier. We then focus on the organisations that can support the soldier as they transition back into civil society. Get your preparation right and together with the support available, Wales has a lot to offer.” June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 31

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“ We went to the cemetery and the ﬁrst grave was one of our soldiers. It broke me up.”

Monte Cassino was one of the Second World War’s toughest and bloodiest battles in Western Europe. When ex-trooper Ernie Prior returned there to visit the Allied cemetery, the ﬁrst grave he came across was a soldier from his Regiment. The memories are still vivid in his mind all these years later. Today, Ernie needs specialist nursing and therapeutic care so that he can remain independent and enjoy life. As a charity, The Royal Star & Garter Homes can only continue to care for Ernie with your help.

This Armed Forces Day, show your support for Ernie and others like him by making a donation to The Royal Star & Garter Homes today.

Call 020 8481 7676 (Quoting AD15) Text support to 70004 to donate £3 Visit www.starandgarter.org/ernie

Registered Charity Number 210119 The Royal Star & Garter Homes 15 Castle Mews, Hampton, Middlesex, TW12 2NP Text costs £3 plus network charge. The Royal Star & Garter Homes receives 100% of your donation. Obtain bill payer’s permission. Customer care 020 8481 7676. Charity No 210119.

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We’re Recruiting Drivers now BCA 01

BCA has opportunities throughout the UK for self-employed drivers for our vehicle logistics business. If you are over 23 and looking for a new career we would love to hear from you! • New rates of pay and attractive earning potential

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Logistics

June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 33

Resettlement Feature: Wales > Whether or not it’s the land of your fathers, we think you’ll feel right at home in Wales. t’s a small nation that gives you big options. Wales has trendy cities, splendid coasts and rolling countryside. It’s a growing economy that’s home to major businesses – Airbus UK to name one. It’s the place that can take credit for

34 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

everything from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to spectacular UNEXCO world heritage Castles. And best of all, it’s known for its amazingly friendly people. What’s not to love? So if you’re scratching your head about where to settle after your military career, read on!

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ÂťWales Feature

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 35

www.gasassess.co.uk

Ex forces retrained by GATC Courses in gas, oil, solid fuel and renewable industries GATC Ltd is a Welsh Company based near Cardiff that trains and assesses people in the gas, oil, solid fuel and renewable industries. They train through BPEC (British Plumbing Education Council ) GATC also collaborate with a number of organisations including Gas Safe, EU Skills, OFTEC IGEM and others. They have trained and assessed thousands of candidates successfully from new starters to highly complex industrial, commercial, network and experienced operatives. GATC have experience both in the UK and overseas with projects in Islamabad in Pakistan, Hong Kong and China. GATC have trained many ex-service personnel to become gas engineers that have gone on to successful employment or to run their own businesses. One such person is Gareth Price (pictured below). A former Royal Marine who trained as a gas engineer with GATC in the hope of a new start after leaving the military in 2007. Gareth qualified after successfully completing his course. Gareth and GATC were later reunited after Wales and the West Utilities employed him as a first call operative. GATC also train Wales and the West Utilities operatives.

We caught up with Gareth recently and he had this to say about his experience with GATC. ‘ I owe a lot to GATC for their quality training and friendly approach to everything. I was always given the support and reassurance that I could simply pick up the phone and contact them if I ever had a problem. I never felt isolated with them helping me in the background. I would recommend them to any ‘Bootneck’ looking to become a gas engineer.’

I discovered GATC by word of mouth and decided to visit their centre. I knew straight away that GATC knew exactly what they were doing and they made no effort to sell me anything. They simply showed me what they do! I have decided to go with them providing I can get my funding sorted out. I know many other Para’s would be interested in going to GATC as what they do is what loads of ex-service men and women want.’

Lee Jones pictured on the right (former Parachute Regiment). Is about to enrol on a new entrant programme at GATC with the support of Thomas ECO Consortium Ltd. Lee is due to start training in May 2015 as a domestic gas operative. He will learn how to service and install central heating systems, fires, cookers and water heaters. Lee has secured a placement with Richard Collins , a former Royal Engineers Sapper who is now the construction manager at Thomas ECO consortium Ltd. We interviewed Lee on his thoughts about GATC prior to starting his course. ‘I have looked long and hard for the right training provider. Many providers wanted large sums of cash and couldn’t say specifically what or how I would get qualified. The prices I was quoted were even more concerning.

‘‘We like the idea of helping and supporting people. Ex-service men and women are always a pleasure to work with. All we need to do is to develop their ability as they always bring the right attitude themselves.’ -Director of GATC John Forrest

CONTACT US TO FIND OUT MORE 14A Taff Business Centre Tonteg Road Pontypridd CF37 5UA E-mail : info@gasassess.co.uk Phone : 01443 841720

We are building a bigger brighter future for healthcare services in West Wales. Have you got what it takes to join us? Want to work in one of the most beautiful parts of the world? Are you looking for a change with a breath of fresh air?

Hywel Dda University Health Board provides all healthcare services We are fully committed to our employees for the 375,000 people living in West Wales. Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire offers breathtaking scenery from stunning vast mountains, beautiful green landscapes, lush secluded forests to vast expanse of stunning golden sandy beaches. It’s not just all wonderful surroundings with excellent links to the M4 you are never that far away from the cultural city centres of Swansea and Cardiff. Hywel Dda University Health Board operate four acute hospitals, eleven health centres plus a number of community hospitals and resource centres across the 3 counties.

We are currently recruiting for a number of healthcare professionals across a range of specialities. These include:

Accident and Emergency / Critical Care / Adult Acute / Paediatrics / General Surgery / Urology and many more We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate the right attitudes and skills to join us. Being a valued part of the team opens up a wide range of staff opportunities from accessing innovative training and development programmes to unique staff benefits that enhance the reasons to why working for us is so rewarding.

in supporting them to achieve an appropriate work life balance to fully appreciate the beauty of West Wales.

To review our latest exciting vacancies please visit – NHS jobs at: www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/jobs For more information on what Hywel Dda can offer as well as a wonderful place to live, please visit: www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/ workingforus For an informal discussion on any of our roles please contact Tracey Morgan at: Tracey.morgan3@wales.nhs.uk Come and meet us at the Careers Fayre at Cardiff City Stadium on 26th June

Help transform the lives of others and we’ll help transform yours

38 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

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»Wales Feature

Getting to know the 5 regions of wales North West : home to Snowdonia National Park and Portmeirion 1

as Wales’ own lake district. There are also some impressive waterfalls, such as Pistyll Rhaeadr, which is higher than Niagara Falls. The seaside University town of Aberystwyth is home to the National Library. A visit here can help you trace your Welsh ancestry. Or you could just explore the thousands of books and digital resources housed here.

At 1085 metres high, Mount Snowdon is the highest mountain inEngland and Wales. Snowdonia National Park itself covers an area of over 2000 square kilometres and many people live within its boundaries. Other attractions include the castles built by King Edward I (1272-1307), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Caernarfon, Harlech and South West: Home of the 4 Beaumaris and Conwy Castle can all be National Botanic Garden of found in this area. Wales and Pembrokeshire Coast Italianate village Portmeirion, setting National Park for 1960s TV show The Prisoner, and South west Wales is best known for its scenBodnant Garden are both popular ery. There’s the Gower Peninsula Area gardens in the region. of Outstanding Natural Beauty North Wales is easily reached near Swansea and the UK’s only from Liverpool John Lennon coastal National Park, has some of the Pembrokeshire Coast. and Manchester airports or it’s lowest living a four – five hour journey by car There are two ferry ports costs in UK from Cardiff. that connect Wales to Ireland; Fishguard and Pembroke and our smallest City, the cathedral North East: home to 2 city of St Davids. Llangollen International Dylan Thomas was born here, and so Musical Eisteddfod and were Richard Burton, Anthony Hopkins Airbus UK and Catherine Zeta Jones. North east Wales is the most populous area South west Wales is mainly rural, of the North, with more than 300,000 peoalthough the city of Swansea has a ple living in the areas around Wrexham population of about 239,000 and has and Deeside. two universities. The region’s Glyndŵr University offers over 150 programmes and has many links with local industry including Toyota South East: Best known for 5 and Tata Steel. the capital city, Cardiff, home They also have links with Airbus UK. to the Millennium Stadium and Their site in Broughton is one of only two the National Assembly for Wales facilities in the world capable of the manuIf you’re travelling to Wales from London, facture of wings for large civil aircraft. you’ll arrive in south east Wales in about St Asaph, in Denbighshire (a community two to three hours, depending on whether of 3,400 people) was awarded city status as you’re on the train or in a car. Or you might part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celearrive directly at the International airport. brations in 2012. South east Wales is the most built up of Welsh regions. The majority of the population of Wales is in this area, along with a Mid Wales: Highlights 3 large proportion of Welsh industry. The include the Centre for capital city Cardiff has a population of Alternative Technology and the approx. 348,000, although this is said to National Library swell by nearly 50,000 each day as comMid Wales hasn’t got large cities. Instead muters enter the city. there are small spa towns like Llandrindod Cardiff is one of the greenest cities in Wells, waterfalls, hills, lakes and sheep. the UK, with many parks to choose from The lakes are mostly man made reserincluding Bute Park in the city centre. voirs, built to supply water to English In less than an hour’s drive it’s possible towns, but they’re still pretty impressive. to escape the city for the more rural As a result, the region is often referred to

Wales

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setting of the Brecon Beacons National Park, the Glamorgan Heritage Coast or the Wye Valley. In 2011 Cardiff was chosen as one of the 10 best places in the world to visit during the Summer by National Geographic magazine - the only UK location to be featured.

Did you know? Gimme a tax break In Wales there is 50% council tax discount on second homes owned by Armed Forces personnel who live in accommodation provided by the MoD Clinton caught Hay fever Bill Clinton visited Hay-on-Wye for the literary and arts festival and called it ‘the Woodstock of the mind’ Be prescriptive NHS patients in Wales receive prescriptions free of charge Harp on The harp is regarded as the national instrument of Wales. By the end of the 18th century, the triple harp - so called because it had three rows of strings was widely known as the Welsh harp A pretty package The Welsh Government Package of Support for the Armed Forces Community outlines service commitments made to serving and ex-forces: http://goo.gl/BWSehW

June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 39

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Welcome to your new home

Seddon Homes is one of the region’s most respected builders. We have over 100 years’ experience and our knowledge and expertise is second to none. With developments located across the North West, Midlands and Yorkshire you’ll find homes for first time buyers, families and next steppers alike, from semi-rural to town locations. Come and see. It’s the finishing touches that set us apart, from crisp white bathrooms to stylish kitchens…our homes are built with you in mind.

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Life’s cool in Cymru > Curious about career prospects, healthcare and education provision, or what the arts and entertainment scene is like? We look at its low cost of living, vibrant culture and strong business sectors to explore elements of life in Wales.

42 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

Key business sectors

A vast array of jobs and career opportunities exist in Wales. The following nine key sectors in particular lead in the charts for employment potential. Would one of them suit your future career plans? ■■ Advanced Materials & Manufacturing ■■ Construction ■■ Creative Industries ■■ Energy & Environment ■■ Financial & Professional ■■ Food & Drink ■■ ICT ■■ Life Sciences ■■ Tourism

Housing

Wales has some of the most competitive house prices in the United Kingdom and properties come in all shapes and sizes. The home buying process is the same in Wales as it is in England. There are a number of websites available detailing properties for sale in Wales. An increasing number of people in Wales also now rent private properties. Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

»Wales Feature

National Anthem Hen Wlad fy Nhadau / Land of my fathers

Capital City

Cardiff, population 348,493 (2012)

Other major towns/cities

Swansea, Newport, Wrexham

Official languages English, Welsh

Population

3,074,067 (2012)

Patron Saint Saint David

Low cost living

Wales has some of the lowest living costs in the United Kingdom and most of the population enjoy a high standard of living. Living costs in Wales do depend on your location, employment and circumstances. However, historically Wales has had lower costs on items such as accommodation, travel, food, entertainment, shopping and services. Property prices, council tax and basic expenses all generally fall below the UK average.

Health care

People living in Wales can access a full and diverse range of healthcare, with the National Health Service (NHS) and both private and complementary medicine practices available. The National Health Service was launched over 60 years ago to provide free healthcare as a basic right to anyone residing in the UK. NHS Wales is the publically funded National Health Service of Wales providing healthcare to some 3 million people who live in the country. To qualify for NHS healthcare you need to register with a doctor working in at commu-

nity setting. You should register with a GP at a local medical centre to where you settle. In Wales, NHS patients receive prescriptions free of charge. Your doctor will write a prescription note for the medicine you require, which you take to a local pharmacy.

Education

Education is important in Wales. It’s thought that Britain’s first university was set up by St Illtud on the coast of the Vale of Glamorgan, south Wales in the 6th century. Education in Wales is compulsory from the ages of 5 to 16 with around 465,000 attending free state schools. Another 65,000 students between 16 and 19 are in vocational training or in further education institutions. A number of overseas pupils are also enrolled in private fee-paying schools. A significant number of students all over Wales are educated either wholly or largely through the medium of Welsh and lessons in the language are compulsory for all until the age of 16. Welsh medium education is available to all age groups from nursery through to schools, colleges, universities and adult education. Today the student population in Wales is large and diverse; there are 9 universities and 20 further education colleges and institutions. There are around 172,000 learners studying at further education institutions per year.

If you’re interested in joining the 18,000 international students from over 170 countries currently enrolled in higher education here, contact one of the 9 universities in Wales.

Arts and culture

Wales likes to celebrate a love of arts and literature. Hay-on-Wye in mid Wales is home to the world’s most famous literary and arts festival. When Bill Clinton came to town, he called it ‘the Woodstock of the mind’. The famous poet Dylan Thomas was born in Swansea in South Wales in 1914. Today the Dylan Thomas Prize is awarded every two years to recognise the best published writer in English under the age of 30 from anywhere in the world. 2014 marked the centenary of the birth of Dylan Thomas, with year long celebrations held across the world. Dylan Day is now celebrated every 14 May. More recent writers to come from Wales include children’s favourite Roald Dahl, who wrote Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Ken Follett who wrote The Pillars of the Earth. The National Museum in Cardiff is the home of the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings outside Paris. Entry to see the collection, which includes Renoir’s famous Blue Lady, La Parisienne, Rodin’s The Kiss and Monet’s Waterlilies paintings, is free. WITH THANKS TO WALES.COM

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 43

44 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

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»Housing

“THERE’S NO RENOVATION TO DO ON A NEW HOUSE, AND NO REPAIRS TO MAKE. JUST MOVE RIGHT IN!”

Why buy new?

Save money with a new build house haracter properties will always have appeal, but new build houses have a lot going for them. They are especially appealing if you have not owned a home before and do not want to keep on top of the sometimes high maintenance required by an older property. In spite of the fact that new houses tend to be priced similarly to older homes in the same neighbourhood, there’s arguably a lot of hidden, added-value packed into a new house.

■■ Warranty: most new builds provide a 10 year warranty through NHBC or Zurich, therefore there are limited maintenance costs during the first few years of ownership. These warranties are provided by the housebuilder/developer and cost you nothing.

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consumption standards. You’ll also have ■■ Energy efficiency: due to stricter new heating, water heating, with new building regulations on average new appliances at the start of their life. That builds are better insulated that a standard means your bills to maintain the traditional second hand homes making appliances in the property are going to be them more energy efficient. That means lower for many years in the property. your annual bills will be lower. ■■ Opportunities to customise: some new ■■ Move-in ready: there’s no renovation to builds let you pick from a selection of do on a new house, and no repairs kitchens and other options, to make. Just move right in! allowing you to have the look ■■ Modern styling: if your taste you’ve always dreamed of and style is modern, sleek and instead of whatever the last up-to-the-minute design, warranty comes owner had. many new builds come with fixtures and fittings which are If new builds sound like with a new build just that! they’re for you, you can search ■■ New appliances and systems: specifically for them on websites you’ll have up-to date kitchen such as ESPC.com or Rightmove. appliances, unused by anyone before co.uk (select the new home option in your you and up to current energy search box). Happy house-hunting!

10 year

June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 45

We are hiring! Are you ADR Qualified?

Due to the continued expansion of our UK operations, the Suttons Group of companies are looking for talented ADR qualified drivers. Succesful applicants will be joining our rapidly expanding team focussed on the safe transport of hazardous and non-hazardous products, and one of the best know transport companies in the country. Suttons Group is a family owned and award winning company with a reputation for safety, high quality service, reliability and integrity. We have recently celebrated our 60th anniversary and continue to enjoy year on year growth in both the UK and overseas. We offer a competitive salary, regular training and the confidence and stability that goes with knowing you are working for one of the leading specialist bulk logistics companies in the world. We have opportunities accross the UK starting immediately so if you are interested in joing us or just find out more, please forward your CV with a covering letter to: careers@suttonsgroup.com If you’d like to learn more about what Suttons does and where we operate, please visit our website: www.suttonsgroup.com

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June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 47

What’s up, doc? > If you already have medical qualifications, or if you are looking to get retrained, the medical industry is waiting for you with open arms. ecent statistics suggest the healthcare sector has a skills gap of approximately 33%. With such great long term employment prospects, it’s an area with a lot to offer.

DOCTORS

If you have already trained to be a doctor in the military, you should be qualified to work as a doctor in the UK. To help you make the transition into life as a civilian doctor, here are the salary and work basics on the two main options: GPs and hospital doctors. In both cases you will need to register with the relevant organisations to practice which are listed at the end of this article. Community GPs ■■ Approx 50 hours per week ■■ Starting salary: 54k ■■ General practitioners (GPs) provide medical care for patients in the community. They diagnose and treat illness, disease and infection. Hospital doctor ■■ Approx 48 hours per week ■■ Starting salary: £37k + ■■ Hospital doctors diagnose and treat illness and disease in patients who have been admitted to hospital. Education

If you are not already in this career and would like to become a doctor you will need to complete:

■■ a degree in medicine (5 years) ■■ a foundation course of general training (2 years) ■■ training in general practice or specialist training (duration depends on your career route)

NURSES

As a qualified nurse working in the UK civilian medical sector you must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and renew your

48 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

registration every three years. Renewal requires you to have worked a minimum of 450 hours. You will also need to have completed at least 35 hours of professional development training during the last three years. If you are already qualified as a nurse and have been employed in the military previously, contact the NMC for advice on your particular situation. If you are interested in exploring a new branch of nursing, shortened 18-month training programmes may be available for registered nurses. According to England & Wales statistics, nurses can earn around £21k-£29k a year. Advanced practitioners, clinical specialists or nurse team managers can earn from £26k to around £41k. Nurse consultants can earn £39k-£68k a year. If you do not yet have a nursing degree, visit the NHS Careers website to learn more about entry criteria and nursing degrees offered in England or in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The Open University also offers options. There are four main areas to choose from when you select your nursing degree: ■■ adult ■■ children (paediatric) ■■ learning disability ■■ mental health.

It’s a career that can travel: nurses are in demand all over the world, and most countries accept current UK nursing credentials.

Contact box For more information, contact General Medical Council www.gmc-uk.org British Medical Association Tel: 020 7387 4499 www.bma.org.uk Royal College of General Practitioners Tel: 020 7344 3051 www.rcgp.org.uk Health Learning and Skills Advice Line Tel: 08000 150 850 NHS Careers Tel: 0345 60 60 655 www.nhscareers.nhs.uk

Did you know? If you’re studying medicine, dentistry, nursing or a healthcare course in England, you may be eligible for NHS funding, including course fees and a bursary. Check out NHS Bursaries www.gov.uk/nhsbursaries

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

ÂťMedical careers

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 49

Do the job white

> Sink your teeth into our dental career guide entistry is an exciting career these days. Technology is making it ever-easier to help people keep their gnashers beautiful as well as functional. It is also making restorative dentistry, treatment for people with special needs and dental surgery easier and safer. So whether you are interested in community practice, cosmetic dentistry or a mix of service provision, this is a career with a a healthy future.

Income

According to the National Career Service figures based on working in England and Wales, a newly qualified dentist wishing to work in the NHS will need to take the one year Dental Foundation Training which comes with a £30,132 per year salary. After that, the salary for NHS dentists working for local services range from £38,095 to £81,480, while hospital consultant dentists can earn from £75,000 to just over £100,000. General practice dentists are usually self employed with income varying based on the type of work they do and their business running costs. Self-employed dentists involved in both NHS and private practice tend to earn between £50,000£110,000 per year.

Transitioning dentists

If you have already been working in the armed forces providing dental treatment for services personnel, you should have the training and qualifications required to work in dentistry for the general public. See our contacts box for organisations you can speak to about getting started in the civilian dental scene and getting registered with the relevant professional bodies if you aren’t already. If you are looking to return to your dentistry career following a break, look into incentives and refresher courses available at dentistry schools/universities. 50 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

Educational requirements

If you are not yet qualified, you will need to complete a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree (known as BDS or BChD), which takes five years. If you already have a 2:1 or higher degree in biology, chemistry or biomedical subject you can apply for an accelerated four-year dental degree. The degree usually requires: ■■ Five or more GCSEs (A-C) including English, maths and science subjects ■■ Three A levels/highers including chemistry and biology

Check with university dental schools for exact entry Self-employed requirements as other qualifications may also dentists working in be accepted. Some both NHS and schools offer a one-year private practice earn pre-dental course to around £50,000those without science A £110,000 per year levels. You can find details of dentistry courses on the UCAS website. When you apply for a degree you may be asked to take the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT). Universities use this test to help select students with the personal qualities and reasoning and decision making skills that this career path requires. Your degree course will cover areas including: ■■ medicine ■■ microbiology ■■ the structure and function of oral and dental tissues. ■■ psychology ■■ sociology

Once you complete a degree, there is a requirement for 12 months of work-based “Dental Foundation Training” (DTF). You will work under supervision in a practice, attend day release lectures and see demonstrations at dental hospitals. Following the training, normally you would join a dental practice as an associate or assistant dentist. Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

ÂťMedical careers

Contact box British Dental Association Tel: 0207 935 0875 www.bda.org General Dental Council Tel: 0845 222 4141 www.gdc-uk.org NHS Careers Tel: 0345 60 60 655 www.nhscareers.nhs.uk Health Learning and Skills Advice Line Tel: 08000 150 850

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 51

Claiming ELC Funding Required reading for anyone wishing to claim ELCs nhanced learning credits (ELCs) can be your golden ticket to more opportunities for your transition, providing you with an upfront cash contribution towards higher learning. However, there are rules you must follow carefully if your claim is to be successful. Before registering for any learning activity, serving personnel must get authorisation from their Line Manager (part 4 of the claim form) and Education Staff (part 5) to ensure that their chosen course meets the MoD requirements for ELC funding. Ex-Service personnel must get authorisation at part 5 of the claim form from their Single Service Representative (full contact details can be found at www.goo.gl/nJ8rB4). There are then several factors to consider:

Plan your transition in advance

Do your research!

You must fully research both the Provider that you choose and the course that you wish to study.

TOP TIP: Providers may move on and off the approved list, so it is advisable to check your Provider is approved before you undertake any claim. 2

Does your course qualify?

ELCs are only available for courses that result in a nationally-recognised qualification at level 3 or above on the National Qualification Framework (www.goo.gl/rTCzTm) or level 6 or above on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (www.goo.gl/vN3Rdd). Just because an organisation is listed as an Approved Provider does not mean that all of their courses are of the required level. TOP TIP: A list of the references to help with course level research may be found here: www.goo.gl/kulBBf. You must refer to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Joint Service Publications 898 Part 4, Chapter 3â&#x20AC;&#x2122; for guidance with regard to eligible activities.

52 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

Get authorisation before the course starts

You must present your Claim Authorisation Note (CAN) to your chosen Provider in advance of your course start date. Sometimes circumstances change or you may change your mind about a course. If for any reason you can not undertake the course, you can submit a request to cancel/ reinstate the claim. Failure to do so may result in the loss of Scheme Membership, which will prevent any future claims.

TOP TIP: Keep a copy of your CAN as you will need the reference numbers for completing your Evaluation Form.

Think before you cancel or withdraw

You need to be aware of the implications of cancelling or withdrawing from a course of study funded by ELC. Always consult Education Staff before doing either, as it can have a serious effect on future ELC eligibility. 5

Still in the Service?

Then the proposed learning activity must be of benefit to the Service. You are required to demonstrate that your proposed course of study is as a result of careful planning (use Personal Development Records). If you have left the Service, this does not apply to you! Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

ÂťELC 6

ELCs only cover 80% of each course

You must contribute from your own resources at least 20% towards the total course cost. You must also cover costs for food, accommodation, course books, material, travel and subsistence.

BE AWARE: MoD rules strictly forbid the acceptance of inducements from Providers including subsidies, free accommodation, travel and equipment. Learners who breach these rules risk forfeiting their ELC membership!

strate that you have completed previous courses to your Education Staff / Single Service Representative. 8

You must first ensure that you have completed the Evaluation Form (www.goo.gl/k8Br5B) for all previous courses funded using ELC. You must also provide documentary evidence to demon-

Taking courses in quick succession?

It may be necessary to submit a claim for a second or third course before the previous course has ended. In these cases the Evaluation Form can be submitted when you have completed enough study to effectively evaluate the Provider. 9

For second or third 7 claims

towards a continuous and recognised block of study which may extend into or start in the next financial year.

List your modules correctly

If your course is split into modules, list each module you are claiming for. However, for longer courses of study such as degree level, where the academic year is out of sync with the financial year, it is permissible to use one claim for several modules which count

Retrospective ELC claims are not permitted!

Claim forms must be received by ELCAS at least 15 clear working days prior to the course start date. Ensure that you have enough time to receive the Claim Authorisation Note to present to your chosen Provider before the course starts. (Please note that for courses with Open University the CAN must be presented to them by the final course registration date). You should not set up a loan/credit agreement for the full cost of the course under any circumstances. The original text for this guide can be found on the ELC website at: www.goo.gl/9JVWOa

Claim timeline - your ELC guide Minimum of 25-30 working days before course registration deadline or course start date

Minimum 25 working days before course start/registration date

Read and understand JSP898-P4C3 and/or DIN 2009DIN07-042

Complete Calim Form

research course and Learning Provider including level method, precourse reading requirments

Education staff signs claim form and posts to ELCAS for processing or Education staff/ SSR processes claim form via online system

Send claim form to education staff/SSR for authorisation Do NOT send to ELCAS

ELCAS must receive claim minimum of 15 working days before course start date

Course start/ registration date

If claim is processed by ELCAS it may take up to 10 working days to process the claim once received

Education Officer/ Single Service Representitive post/fax CAN to learner or Learning Provider

ELCAS check claim

Claim correct?

Refer to Learning Centre staff/ SSR if necessary

Contact learning Provider to secure place on course

Minimum 20 working days before course start/registration date

Claim correct?

Make necessary corrections/ actions

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

Claimant actions Education Staff/Single service Representitive (SSR) actions ELCAS actions

Yes Yes

ELCAS post CAN (2nd class) back to Learning Centre

Note: Claimants no longer in service must send their claim to their SSR - contact details on Ex-Service personnel page June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 53

Great estate

Volkswagenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Passat makes a smooth and spacious estate

54 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

ÂťMotoring

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 55

From £23,745

uyers looking for the most practical, versatile car often plump for an SUV or ‘crossover’ these days, but there’s still a market for more conventional estate cars like Volkswagen’s Passat Estate, the latest

56 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

generation of which went on sale earlier in the year. The range offers five trim levels and a choice of four engines, all of them diesels. Our test car was in mid-range GT trim with a 190PS (187bhp) engine mated to a six-speed DSG twin-clutch transmission. Volkswagen was one of the pioneers of this type of

gearbox, which is a lot like a conventional automatic transmission to use but offers swifter gearchanges and greater efficiency. We found it a bit unpredictable from rest: sometimes it creeps slowly like an auto, sometimes it needs some throttle before it engages the clutch and moves off. As a result parking and slow-speed

manoeuvring is more taxing than it should be. On the move the DSG gearbox shows its virtues: gearchanges are smooth, swift and unobtrusive. The 190PS 2.0-litre engine offers plenty of mid-range pull which makes overtaking easy, and our tests suggest most drivers will return 45mpg or Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

ANDREW NOAKES

Volkswagen Passat

»Motoring

1780

more. While the diesel is audible around town it quietens down when cruising, and when you couple the quiet cabin with a smooth, well-controlled ride you have a car that will eat up long distances with ease. The Passat will swallow an awful lot of cargo, too. There’s a colossal 1780 litres of space Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

litres of cargo

can carry long to fill if you fold capacity items without the rear seats losing much down, though the passenger carrying seats don’t quite fold ability. Front and rear flat so carrying larger passengers have plenty of items can be awkward. The space thanks to a longer seat is split so you can fold wheelbase than the previous down just one side, leaving Passat, which liberates extra space for a single rear legroom despite the new car passenger, and there’s also a being a few millimetres ‘ski hatch’ in the rear seat so

shorter than the old one. Getting in and out is easy too, thanks to doors which open very wide – so wide, in fact, that some occupants may find it a stretch to close them again. If you want your practicality to come with all the style and road manners of a saloon car an estate fits the bill and the Passat Estate is one of the best. June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 57

V popular > Honda’s bestselling CR-V is dependable, if slightly dear Honda CR-V From £22,345

evisions to Honda’s CR-V build on the strengths that have made the model the biggest-selling SUV in the world. Central to the changes for the latest CR-V are new front-end styling, a new diesel engine with more power, a nine-speed automatic gearbox, and an all-new Android information system with a seven-inch touchscreen. Key to the CR-V’s appeal is its size: it’s big enough for families, with plenty of passenger space and a huge boot that can take two mountain bikes or a

58 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

mountain of other kit, but not so big that it’s daunting to drive. The interior has a no-nonsense design that should stand up well to whatever a family metes out to it. Three engines are available in the CR-V, all of them meeting the new Euro 6 emissions regulations. The single petrol option is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit which develops 155PS (153bhp). It’s available with two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive and a choice of six-speed manual and five-speed automatic transmissions. There’s also a revised version of the old model’s 1.6-litre 120PS (119bhp) diesel, in two-wheel drive manual gearbox form

only. The old 2.2-litre diesel is replaced by a new 158bhp version of the 1.6-litre, with four-wheel drive as standard and either a six-speed manual or nine-speed auto. Though the new engine is a lot smaller than the old one it has a two-stage turbocharging system to give a good blend of power and speed of response. This means it delivers significant fuel economy and CO2 benefits over the old 2.2-litre without sacrificing anything in performance terms. Not that you’ll buy a CR-V for speed or driving satisfaction. Straight-line performance is competitive in its class, but no more than that: 0-62mph takes a

leisurely 10 seconds with the smooth nine-speed auto, though the manual transmission knocks a few tenths off that. The tall Honda leans a fair bit in corners and numb steering gives few clues to the amount of grip at the front wheels, but the payoff is a smooth ride and relaxed cruising. It’s a useful, practical car and given Honda’s bulletproof reputation, like to be a reliable one. But although base models start at just over £22k, you can quickly be looking at a bill well over £30,000 by time you specify the more powerful diesel engine with four-wheel drive and auto transmission. At that price there are plenty of good alternatives. Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

ARE YOU TOUGH ENOUGH...

TO BUILD YOUR DREAM HOUSE? CASTLE ROAD, DUNURE, SCOTLAND Unique opportunity to build your own grand design upon leaving the forces! Self-build seaside plot with a genuine 180 degree panoramic sea view Large double address plot measuring over a quarter of an acre Commuting distance from Glasgow This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get a self build plot with genuine, uninterrupted sea views Outline planning permission granted!

Offers over ÂŁ185,000 Call Corum and ask about 27-29 Castle Road, Dunure, KA7 4LW

01292 872322 Rightmove listing ID: 46562669

view from plot

Small torque This month’s motoring news ■■ All new BMWs will be equipped with satellite navigation as standard by the end of 2015. The system uses a 6.5-inch screen, which can be upgraded to an 8.8-inch screen with the Professional Navigation option, which also includes real time traffic information and remote programming of destination addresses. BMW already provides Bluetooth connections and DAB digital radios across its range. BMW has just announced a package of improvements for its 1-series range, including more power for the range-topping M135i, sharper styling and more equipment. ■■ Honda, Suzuki and Toyota top the list of Britain’s most reliable cars, according to research by What Car? and Warranty Direct. But buying an expensive car doesn’t guarantee reliability, according to the survey – Bentley, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and BMW all languish near the bottom of the list. ■■ If you’re aiming to get out on two wheels during the summer and need a new helmet, take a look at the Shark range. The French helmet maker is offering a free visor worth up to £86.99 with helmet purchases in the Race-R, Speed-R, Vision-R, Explore-R and Evoline Carbon ranges, from selected dealers. See www.nevis.uk.com ■■ The Silverstone Classic, which takes place at the Northamptonshire circuit from 24 to 26 July, is celebrating three classic Triumph sports cars. The TR3 is 60 years old, the TR4A is 50 and the wedgeshaped TR7 is 40. A parade of Triumphs will take to the circuit on Sunday, after a weekend of historic racing and just before a special concert by Status Quo. See www.silverstoneclassic.com ■■ Suzuki is offering 0% finance with just a £1 deposit on a range 60 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

BMW gets equipped

Shark helmet giveaway

A8 - Get sporty

New Mustang

of scooters and bikes. Included in the offer are V-Strom 650 and 650XT, V-Strom 1000, Hayabusa, GSR750, M800, C800 and SFV650 bikes, and the Burgman 650 Executive luxury scooter. The offer runs until 30 July. ■■ Audi has added a Sport specification to its revised luxury A8 range, which includes leather trim, double glazing and 19-inch alloy wheels. Two diesel engines are available, a 3.0-litre V6 with 262PS (258bhp) and a 4.2-litre V8 with 385PS (380bhp). The rest of the A8 range offers petrol, diesel and petrol-electric hybrids, in short and long wheelbase versions. The range starts from £59,585. ■■ Ford’s new-generation Mustang has already found 1200 buyers in the UK and another 2200 in Europe. Two versions are available, one powered by a 2.3litre turbo petrol engine with 317PS (313bhp) and the other with a 421PS (415bhp) 5.0-litre V8. The V8 version cracks the 0-60mph sprint in a spectacular 4.8 seconds, so the latest Mustang has the performance to match its aggressive looks. Andrew has been writing about cars and motorsport for 20 years for newspapers, car magazines and automotive websites, and is the author of more than a dozen motoring books. Follow him on Twitter @andrewnoakes Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

Coventry MotoFest

29-31 May Weekend of motoring fun in Britain’s motor city of Coventry. Racing cars and bikes run on closed roads, static displays of everything from bicycles to dragsters, plus a live action arena in the city centre. Cost: free. www.coventrymotofest.com

Cholmondeley Pageant of Power

Get motoring this summer > The pick of this summer’s events for petrolheads: there’s something for every interest and budget.

12-14 June Celebrating power on land, on water and in the sky. This year 1000bhp cars will compete on track, and there’s a display by Vulcan XH558. Cost: from £27. www.cpop.co.uk

Road and racing cars and bikes both new and old take part in one of the World’s premier historic car events at Lord March’s estate in Sussex. Great way to get close to the cars and stars. Cost: Saturday/Sunday from £63 per day. www.goodwood.com

Le Mans 24-hour race

London ePrix

13-14 June The world-famous 24-hour sports car race always has a large contingent of Brits. The race has a stellar entry from manufacturer teams including Audi, Toyota, Porsche and Nissan. Cost: from £55. www.24h-lemans.com/ en/

Goodwood Festival of Speed 26-28 June

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

27-28 June Formula E championship for electric cars comes to London’s Battersea Park for its final two rounds. Will ex-F1 racer Lucas di Grassi convert his early season lead into a championship victory? Cost: from £6. www.fiaformulae.com

F1 British Grand Prix

5 July Bet on Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg out

front, but Ferrari is resurgent too so Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen will aim to give fans of the red cars something to cheer. Cost: from £155. www.silverstone.co.uk

MotoGP British Grand Prix

30 August Premier bike racing series comes to one of the fastest circuits on the calendar. Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi leads the championship, but Honda’s Marc Marquez won here last year. Cost: from £70. www.silverstone.co.uk

Goodwood Revival

11-13 September The Revival recreates a bygone era with historic cars and bikes racing on the Goodwood race track, plus classic car displays,

period costumes, air displays and much more. Cost: from £50. www.goodwood.com

Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run

1 November Around 500 pre-1905 veteran cars start from Hyde Park and aim to make it to Brighton’s Madeira Drive. Lots of places to cheer on the participants along the 60-mile route. Cost: free. www.veterancarrun.com

Wales Rally GB

12-15 November Final round of the World Rally Championship. Reigning champion Sebastien Ogier looks tough to beat, but British spectators will be hoping for good runs from home drivers Elfyn Evans and Kris Meeke. Cost: from about £20. www.walesrallygb.com

Clarkson, Hammond and May Live – London

28-29 November Top Gear as we know it might be all over, but Clarkson, Hammond and May are still touring with their live show of stunts and supercars, which comes to the O2 in November. Cost: from £40. www.clarksonhammond andmaylive.com June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 61

»Career events

Forthcoming job & career fairs Don’t miss these events! All are open to the Armed Forces Community

2015 DATE 2nd Jul

EVENT AND VENUE BFRS National Gloucestershire Military Community Career Fair Gloucester, Hatherley Manor Hotel

CONTACT DETAILS 0116 2545477

10th Sep

BFRS National South West Military Community Career Fair Tidworth, Tidworth Leisure Centre

0116 2545477

15th Oct

BFRS National North yorkshire Military Community Career fair Catterick, Catterick Leisure Centre

0116 2545477

CTP EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING FAIRS DATE 18th Jun

EVENT AND VENUE CTP National South west South West Employment Fair UWE, Bristol

CONTACT DETAILS 02031 624410

16th Jul

CTP National Eastern Employment Fair Manchester Central

02031 624410

10th Sep

CTP National North West & West Midlands Employment Fair Manchester Central

02031 624410

9th Oct

CTP National South Coast Employemtn Fair AGEAS Bowl, Southampton

02031 624410

CTP event notes: Although the above military events are primarily for Armed Forces personnel who have not yet left, any ex-service person regardless of rank, service or time since discharge is most welcome to attend with their partner if they wish 62 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

LIVING WORKING &

IN SOUTH WALES

Friday 26th June 2015 Cardiff City Stadium 1200 - 1500 hrs Over 60 exhibitors including: Local Government, Business and Commerce,

160X-Transition-GroupMailbox@mod.uk

Further information and register at:

e m ili s ntry E e Fre We co l

The Voluntary Sector

Education ■ Employment ■ Health ■ Housing ■ Welfare

FOR ALL SERVING PERSONNEL AND VETERANS

»CTP FACT FILE

How to prepare for leaving the forces Making the transition

Even if you have a job to go to on leaving the armed forces, you are strongly advised to register for resettlement through the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) and not miss out on the wealth of guidance available to you. This includes the Career Transition Workshop (CTW), along with a range of other workshops such as Business Start-up, Interview Techniques or CV Writing. The purpose of these workshops is to help you to recognise and assess your options and learn skills in order to approach the civilian workplace and market yourself to a future employer. These are skills that are important to develop for life, and not just for your next job. If you don’t go – you won’t know.

hroughout our lives we are faced with choices or options and as you prepare to leave the services, you are potentially about to face some of your biggest ones yet. You can never start this preparation early enough so plan your resettlement carefully and thoroughly. In order to commence a successful self-marketing campaign one of the first things you should do is to decide what it is you wish to achieve.

What has changed since you joined the services?

Understand the world of work

■■ what has changed since you joined the services? ■■ how do those changes affect you? ■■ how do you effectively manage your own career? ■■ what are the different patterns of work? ■■ what do you want from a company? ■■ how do you negotiate a salary package?

What transferable skills do you have?

Identify your interests and skills ■■ what are your interests? ■■ what transferable skills do you have? ■■ what training or qualifications have you done? ■■ can you identify what you have achieved so far? ■■ does all this help you decide what to do next?

Proactive networking

■■ how do you establish a useful network? ■■ how do you use networks to help you research? ■■ how can networks help you into a job? ■■ how can networks help with career development?

Networking Advice

■■ start early ■■ create mutually supportive relationships ■■ use these at all stages of career development, not just at time of job change

64 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

Create mutually supportive relationships with social networking

■■ networks are useful information sources ■■ successful people develop networks ■■ use them to market yourself and your organisation The CTP can help you find the answers to these questions through attending workshops and one-to-one sessions with your Career Consultant. If you are not yet registered with the CTP, speak to your local Resettlement Officer or Service Resettlement Advisor for further advice.

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

s route map A service leaver’ pleted at Ser vice leaver com e: least 4 years’ ser vic reer Registers with Ca rship (CTP) Transition Par tne

The self-marketing approach Based on the application of well established marketing concepts to the task of getting a new job. Marketing is about delivering products and services to meet customers’ needs. In this case, you are the product, the customer is your next employer. Your task is to persuade the customer that the range of benefits, which you bring, match his or her needs.

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT PROGRAMME

Ser ved over 6 years?

Yes nsition Attends Career Tra uivalent eq or W) (CT p Worksho

Define the product

■■ identify as wide a range of your skills and experience as you can ■■ from these you can choose which ones match what the employer wants ■■ demonstrate your value to the employer ■■ list your successes ■■ focus on skills and attitudes rather than tasks ■■ identify transferable skills ■■ learn to think in terms of product (you) and customer (your next employer) ■■ remember, customers buy benefits ■■ define yourself in terms of unique selling propositions

Prepare self-marketing literature Your CV should include: ■■ a personal profile – your unique selling proposition ■■ major achievements – the benefits you brought to current and previous jobs ■■ a focus on your transferable skills Your CV should avoid mentioning: ■■ details of salary ■■ references ■■ any negative aspects of your career to date ■■ clichés, jargon, abbreviations and untruths

Research the market

■■ decide on sectors, geographical areas, etc ■■ use directories, databases, internet, etc ■■ ask for information ■■ use your personal network ■■ use industry associations, chambers of commerce, etc ■■ attend employment fairs and conferences

Implement a marketing campaign Use a variety of approaches including: ■■ responding to advertisements ■■ direct approaches by phone, email and letter ■■ networking ■■ employment agencies ■■ develop a system and keep records of all activities ■■ follow up approaches systematically ■■ learn from your mistakes Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

EMPLOYMENT CONSULTANT LE D

ettlement Prepare Personal Res eer Consultant Plan (PRP with Car

• • • • •

EMPLOYMENT CONSULTANT LE D Develops, reviews and actions PRP: Further advice on: • career options • self-employment • job finding • training • attachments • research activities • civilian work attachments

Attends hops further CTP works C training at RTC/RR achment Civilian training att External training briefings Financial/Housing ent Fairs and Attends Employm other CTP events

h • Prepares PRP wit Employment Consultant al • Receives region employment advice

Consultant supports ss and monitors progre

or Receives advice on tched job notification of ma opportunities

tions Makes job applica

ent Secures employm

ued for up to CTP support contin rge 2 years after discha port is sup g din fin job A RFEA/O ent age irem ret til un le ilab ava

Available to those vice with 4-6 years’ ser

Sell yourself on a face-to-face basis

■■ research the employer ■■ think about what skills the job involves and how you could demonstrate these ■■ prepare interview responses ■■ dress appropriately ■■ arrive early; impress everybody you meet ■■ smile ■■ avoid crossing arms and legs when sitting ■■ maintain eye contact ■■ answer questions honestly, but focus on the positive ■■ manage the interview to match your benefits to the employer’s needs ■■ prepare questions that you can ask the interviewer ■■ seek feedback and learn from mistakes

For the most up to date information, please visit www.ctp.org.uk June 2015 | EQUIPPED | 65

»Letters

Letters to the editor we want to hear from you

ere at Equipped, we want to cover the issues that matter to you. We need your help to make sure we’re on the right track.

In following issues, this page will feature a selection of comments and opinions from our readers. Whether you have something good to say, or bad, don’t hesitate to drop us an email at editor@ equippedmedia.co.uk and share your thoughts on what we produce.

The contents of your messaging will of course vary, and can range from things like what kind of features you’d like to see covered, organisations you feel would be appropriate to discuss, or even what you may or may not have enjoyed in a recent issue.

Space is limited, so please remember to keep your messages punchy and to the point. Depending on the volume of submissions, we may not be able to acknowledge unpublished correspondence; but please be assured that we appreciate all feedback. Anything published may be edited and shortened for clarity or space purposes. If you haven’t already done so, please check out our Facebook and Twitter pages. These social media sites are another gateway for you to get in touch and share some of your thoughts. Don’t be shy! Our goal is to create content that is relevant to you and to make sure you are getting all you can from what we produce. We look forward to hearing from you.

facebook.com/ equippedmagazine

@equippedmag

Ask the experts

Introducing our Equipped panel of professionals, on hand to serve you

Harry Dean CEO and Founder, BFRS

BUSINESS Harry left the Army in 1998 after some 30 years of service and became an entrepreneur, setting up numerous successful businesses and holding several directorships. Harry has a wealth of knowledge in many areas including military transitions, resourcing solutions, business start-ups, and business coaching/ mentoring.

66 | EQUIPPED | June 2015

Now we’re taking things a step further by providing personal expert assistance and advice for your individuals issues from our panel of professionals. If you have a question about business, personal Melanie Pullan Organisational Psychologist and Executive Coach

development, careers advice and writing your CV, or transition from the UK or Commonwealth Armed Forces, we want to hear from you! Write to us at editor@ equippedmedia.co.uk and

Sian Richardson Career Master 4 Military

your question could be featured the next issue of Equipped. As above, we may not be able to print every question we receive, and some questions may be shortened due to space limitations.

Dominic Hamberg Operations Manager, BFRS

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

CAREERS ADVICE & CV WRITING

MILITARY TRANSITIONS

Melanie holds a Master’s Degree in Organisational Psychology and is a Member of the British Psychological Society. She has a particular interest in personal development with a focus on addressing issues such as performance management, stress management, developing communication and interpersonal skills, goalsetting, and building

Sian is a former military spouse who spent 20 years with a FTSE 100 company and has managed the HR department of a top national financial services organisation. With additional training as a specialist recruiter, Sian has hired and fired people at all levels. Sian is now a military transition expert at her own company Career Master 4 Military.

Dominic has a mixed military and civilian background. He has spent a number of years in a managerial roles in the hospitality industry and military transitions industry. His current role sees him deliver briefings, presentations and one to one sessions regarding transition and the civilian job market place, and he has a wealth of experience to share.

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

Equipped has always been about helping Forces people planning or executing their transition by providing you with the latest training, resettlement and recruitment news and opportunities.

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