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WELCOME TO OUR SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER ISSUE

EQUIPPED SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 ALL YOU NEED THE ARMED FORCES RESETTLEMENT MAGAZINE

Talent spotting F

FOUR MUST READS IN THIS ISSUE

inding work after leaving the armed forces can be a challenge but the good news is that more and more employers are looking at service leavers as a valuable pool of potential talent. An increasing number of businesses have signed up to the Corporate Covenant, launched by the government in 2013, and are offering interviews, training and employment to the right recruits. In this issue, we talk to some of the most forces-friendly organisations about their exciting opportunities. Many veterans may want to set up their own businesses but lack the commercial know-how and the civilian contacts. Help is at hand for them, too, with a new initiative for fledgling entrepreneurs in Scotland and a more established one nationwide that has launched 170 entrepreneurs. Over the following pages, we also look at openings in the security sector, investigate a new franchising operation, and find out about careers in health and safety consultancy, as well as oil and gas. Our regular columnists cover, between them, keeping down your childcare costs, occupational behaviour, moving abroad for work - and the best wheels your money can buy! To stay up to date with the top resettlement and recruitment advice, register free on our website – www.equippedmagazine.co.uk – and get digital copies of Equipped and all the latest job and training alerts.

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3 MUST READS

1 A PERFECT FIT Why the military are a good source of skilled labour in a market that’s getting tougher Page 44

2 GOING GLOBAL International firm with great job prospects targets former forces for its subsea courses Page 32

Jenny Hjul

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HOPE ON THE HORIZON British Forces Resettlement Services help early service leavers find rewarding new roles Page 26

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CONTENTS

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Inside

This issue 8 BULLETIN

News, franchises, art

14 FINANCE

Cut childcare costs

16 MELANIE PULLAN Keep on track

18 TRANSITION MATTERS Business launches

20 CHARITY FOCUS Run for funds

24 HOW TO

Move overseas

26 BFRS 30

At your service

28 RFEA

Working for you

30 WORKING ABROAD Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your oyster

36 SECURITY

Protecting the public

42 FORCES FRIENDLY FIRMS Taking the pledge

Key to claiming

60 MOTORING

With Andrew Noakes

67 BOOKS

With Alan Cochrane

67 GENERAL INTEREST Military leaders at leisure

68 FACT FILE

More situations vacant

70 PUB SPY

Pavement pint

CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE PAUL HARKNESS Brigadier Harkness, Commander 51st Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Scotland, reveals his general interests

JEFF SALWAY The award winning journalist gives Equipped readers expert advice on how to handle their finances

PUB SPY Our tireless researcher finds himself in Manchester where the sun is surprisingly hot and the work thirsty September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 5

»Bulletin

NEWS » VETERANS’ ART » FUNDRAISING » FRANCHISES » SKILLS SHOWCASE » TRAINING » INVICTUS GAMES

Flying aid to Iraq An RAF C-17 aircraft with UK aid destined for northern Iraq left RAF Brize Norton at the end of last month. It was first flown to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, from where it was put on to the RAF Hercules C-130J aircraft and delivered

into Iraq. Hercules aircraft have supplied much needed military equipment to help Iraqis combat ISIL extremists. Ammunition, body armour, helmets and sleeping bags have been provided, along

6 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

with a range of other support for the Kurdish forces. The UK has so far committed £23 million in new assistance in response to the crisis in Iraq. The RAF has so far made seven successful air drops of UK

aid over Mount Sinjar, including water containers, solar lamps and shelter kits. In addition to this, the Department for International Development has made six humanitarian aid flights directly into Erbil.

September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 7

Run raises funds for mental health charity

oldiers Danny Hirst and Josh Conway ran 400 miles in 10 days to raise more than £5,000 for Combat Stress, the mental health charity for veterans. The servicemen mapped their route between Combat Stress’s three treatment centres, beginning their journey at Tyrwhitt House in Surrey on August 3 before arriving at Audley Court in Newport on August 6 and finishing at Hollybush House in Ayrshire on August 13. Danny and Josh chose to support Combat Stress for a very

FACTOID

£3.5 billion

Cost of MoD’s 589 new tanks

personal reason – one of Danny’s close friends in the Royal Engineers took his own life after returning from operations in Afghanistan. Combat Stress, which marks its 95th anniversary this year, provides specialist clinical treatment and welfare support to veterans suffering from psychological injuries, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety. All of its services are free to veterans. Danny and Josh said they wanted to raise money and also awareness of a charity ‘which is close to our hearts’. ‘Often the trauma of war remains unseen and it is important that organisations such as Combat Stress can continue to provide care and treatment to those affected. Through our fundraising we hope to encourage friends, family and supporters to con-

tribute to this worthwhile cause,’ they said. ‘Our fundraising event wouldn’t have been possible without the tireless and relentless support from our support crew. They have fed and watered us and kept us honest to time and rest stops and without their drive and enthusiasm we simply couldn’t have done it.’

Josh,David Brand of Combat Stress and Danny

To donate please visit www.justgiving.com/ Danny-Hirst4 or www. justgiving.com/run2recovery. To find out more about Combat Stress go to www.combatstress.org.uk. The Combat Stress 24-hour Helpline is available to veterans, serving personnel and their families on 0800 138 1619.

Veterans’ art makes its mark To mark the centenary of the First World War a collection of veterans’ art has gone on display at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow. All the artists are currently being treated by Combat Stress and their work offers an insight into how the armed forces are affected by psychological injuries. Veterans from all three Combat Stress treatment centres produced their pieces over the course of their occupational therapy. Lee Watson, head of occupational therapy at Hollybush House in Ayrshire,

said: ‘Embracing imagination and working on different art projects results in a positive impact on mental health and allows veterans the opportunity to find peace and relax.’ Entry to the Kelvingrove exhibition is free and it runs until November 16.

Veteran Michael Thorton

For more information visit www.glasgowlife.org.uk/ museums/kelvingrove

8 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

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»News Career opportunities

Oil showcase to plug skills gap that working in oil and gas means working offshore and to highlight the fantastic career opportunities the sector offers a wide range of people’. For service leavers, Subsea UK will stage a Mobilising the Military event at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on November 12, aimed at helping the oil and gas industry access talented ex-servicemen and women; meanwhile the issues around the skills gap will come under the spotlight at the Great Crew Change Debate in Great Yarmouth on November 13. Opito is urging as many employers as possible to get involved and support its skills week. ‘This is a very ambitious initiative but it has the potential to really challenge people’s perceptions of the oil and gas industry as something that doesn’t apply to them,’ said Mr McDonald. National Oil and Gas Skills Week will run from November 11–14. For more information visit www.nationaloiland gasskillsweek.com

MEET AGAIN Heropreneurs is holding its monthly networking event on September 10 to mark the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games. The event – from 6.30-9pm at a rendezvous point at the South Lawn of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London - is open to all members and supporters of the armed forces community with an interest in setting up or growing their own business and/or helping others to do so. Heropreneurs helps those serving (both regular and reserve), retired and their spouses/partners. One man at the August event said: ‘I was really impressed with the backgrounds of those in attendance and identified five people I wanted to speak to once personal intros were complete. Brilliant.’ See www.heropreneurs. co.uk for more information. DEFENCE JOBS Hundreds of Scottish shipyard jobs will be secured by a multi-million pound contract to build three new ships on the Clyde, it was announced last month. BAE Systems was awarded the £348 million MoD deal for Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Royal Navy, safeguarding around 800 jobs as the contract to build

two new aircraft carriers comes to an end. The new generation of Royal Navy Type 26 frigates will protect employment on the Clyde for decades, but the final decision on the fleet of ships – to be built at BAE’s Scotstoun and Govan yards was not due to be announced until after the Scottish referendum on independence on 18 September. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: ‘UK warships are only built in UK shipyards.’ MARCHING MARINES Seven hundred Royal Marines marched through the City of London in the summer to celebrate their 350th anniversary. The marines were exercising their privilege to march through the City, with colours flying, drums beating and bayonets fixed. It is only the fourth time in their 350 year history they have done so.They marched from the Honourable Artillery Company (the birthplace of the Royal Marines) to the Guildhall. SHARE YOUR NEWS If you want to use this space in future editions of Equipped for any news stories, announcements or events that you think worth sharing, please contact the editor (jenny.hjul@ equippedmedia.co.uk)

Type 26 Frigate

he UK’s oil and gas industry, which employs more than 440,000 people and contributes billions to the economy, has unveiled plans for a nationwide initiative to address the skills shortage in the sector. National Oil and Gas Skills Week, launched by industry skills organisation Opito, will see everything from science, engineering and maths, specialist workshops and careers sessions to debates, interactive challenges and much more take place across the country, with events in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Norwich, Great Yarmouth and London. Operators, drillers and companies throughout the Aberdeen supply chain will be asked to throw open their doors to let the public see the innovative jobs, techniques and technologies being used to push the boundaries of exploration and production. Opito UK managing director John McDonald said this is the first time the industry has done something of this size and scale ‘to redress the misconception

NEWS IN BRIEF

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Consider a career in counselling

he Centre of Therapy and Counselling Studies, based in Glasgow, has joined the ELCAS funding scheme to help service leavers who are considering a new career in this challenging field. Military personnel develop useful supporting and listening skills in their roles and, with some additional training, these skills are transferable into a therapeutic environment. All the courses at the Centre are part-time and are mostly run at weekends or evenings, so can fit around work and lifestyle commitments. Some courses have no entry requirements – apart from wanting to help others enhance their well-being – and are approved by the Scottish Qualifications

Authority. The Centre’s approach to study means students gain a solid practical skill set, as well as learning about themselves through the exploration of varying psychological perspectives. With more than 50 qualified therapists and over 100 students, the Centre is a hub of activity and receives a steady stream of referrals from the NHS. It has a record in providing training to organisations delivering mental health support to veterans. Call 0141 331 0750 or visit www.centreoftherapy.org for more information.

Harry plays in para Games

rince Harry is taking part in this September’s Invictus Games, playing in a wheelchair rugby match at the Copper Box. The Games will see 400 competitors from 13 nations compete in an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women. The event is championed by Prince Harry and will shine a light on armed forces personnel who have been injured in the line of duty.

Taking place at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from September 11-14, there will be events in athletics, wheelchair rugby, archery, swimming, sitting volleyball, cycling and more. The wheelchair rugby game will see the prince line up alongside Dame Kelly Holmes, Denise Lewis, Mike and Zara Tindall, while Rugby World Cup winners Jonny Wilkinson and Sir Clive Woodward will manage the teams.

10 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

Zara Tindall said: ‘It’s important to get involved in the Invictus Games to use the power of sport to inspire recovery and support rehabilitation. I’m very excited to be involved. ‘I have seen wheelchair rugby being played before but I haven’t played. I can’t imagine I’m going to be very good at it, but obviously we’ll bring our A-Game!’

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»News

Branch into business with a franchise

new franchising opportunity is being launched by a company that is keen to get service leavers on board. Envirogroup, a facilities management and commercial cleaning specialist based in Northern Ireland, can offer franchisees training, a proven business formula, personalised support, a strong brand name and an unmatched opportunity for success. Envirogroup, established in 2001, has carried out work throughout all sectors of industry and has expanded its network of contracts across Britan. The company’s William ‘Woody’ Woods served 24 years in the Army and is well placed to understand the skill sets former service personnel can bring to the business. ‘We see the armed forces as a good investment,’ he said. ‘We can take their experience and

Operations manager William Woods

put it into something that will work for them.’ Franchisees get two weeks’ training – one week in Northern Ireland and one week with a mentor in their chosen patch to help them start up. The mentors will be Envirogroup

Hero soldier honoured in his home town

statue to First World War hero Herbert Columbine VC was unveiled in his home town of Walton on the Naze, Essex, in August. Private Columbine is the only private soldier to be honoured in this way and the ceremony was attended by Field Marshal Lord Guthrie. The Columbine statue, by John Doubleday, celebrates the remarkable exploits of the young soldier. On March 22, 1918, in Hervilly Woods in France, 9 Squadron Machine Gun Corps came under intense attack from a heavy force of German infantry. Private

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supervisors, all of whom have a vast wealth of experience, says Woody, and will stay with the new recruits right through. The franchisees, he said, will be as successful as they want to be – ‘some guys will just want to top up their pensions but

others will go at it full tilt. But we’ll be there to build their businesses with them. ‘We’re only as successful as they are…franchisees are worth nothing if we don’t give them the right training…it’s in our interests to be up front and straight with the guys.’ The aim is to have 55 franchises across the UK within five years. Interest in the scheme so far has been ‘phenomenal’ and the company confidently predicts that, thanks to demand for its services, franchisees would hit the ground running in the North East, the North West, the South East, Scotland, Birmingham and London. The first recruit starts training in October. A franchise costs £29,500 and ex-service personnel can use their ELCs towards Envirogroup’s training. For more information visit www.envirogroupni.com

Lord Guthry at the statue

Columbine took command of an isolated gun, with no wire in front, and began firing. As the German onslaught grew and casualties mounted, he and two others became separated from the rest of their squadron. After several hours it became clear their position would soon be overrun so Private Columbine told the two men to escape while they could. He hung on tenaciously, repelling several attacks, and was only defeated after the Germans brought up air support and dropped a bomb on his position. Herbert Columbine has no known grave. September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 11

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Widen your horizons A degree in International Studies from The Open University

Benefits Build on the awareness of international situations your Service role has given you by developing it into a career-oriented qualification. The flexibility of OU courses and materials lets you fit your studies around shifts and postings, even when on active duty. A BA (Honours) International Studies explores international politics, diplomacy, cooperation, war and security, global environmental problems, international economics and development, as well as cultural and religious interactions between different societies. Throughout your studies, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have specialist, subject-based academic support and the chance to join in online communities of other social sciences students for teaching, learning and peer support.

Low cost. The OU is ELC approved. Flexibility. You can study whenever you want, wherever you are. Support. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have a personal tutor to guide you through your studies. Quality. The OU is ranked amongst the top UK universities for the quality of its teaching.

For further information visit the OU Forces (www.open.ac.uk/forces) and ELCAS (www.enhancedlearningcredits.com) websites.

The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England & Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302). The Open University is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

»Finance

JEFF SALWAY

overing the cost of childcare is fast becoming the biggest financial challenge facing many working parents across Britain - yet many are still failing to take advantage of the help on offer to them. Some families now spend more on childcare each year than their mortgage, according to research earlier this year by the Family and Childcare Trust. It found that a family with one child in a part-time nursery and another in an after-school club now pays an average of £7,549 a year for that support, compared with the typical annual mortgage repayment of £7,207. The costs increase dramatically for families paying for full-time childcare for two young children, hitting an average of £11,700 a year, the report revealed. The impact of the rise has been compounded by low wage inflation since the financial crisis and the upward trend in other household outgoings, not least energy and food bills. The costs of bringing up children have left many low income families in deep financial difficulties, a report from the Child Poverty Action Group and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said in August. Parents with young children have been hit hardest, seeing childcare costs jump by 42 per cent since 2008. The sharp hike in funding childcare means that while government support is increasingly valued, it also falls a long way short of what’s needed. It helps to have an idea of how the costs could mount up, of course. There are several childcare budget calculators online - including www. moneyadviceservice. org.uk/en/tools/cost-ofchildcare-calculator - that can break down the different costs faced at certain ages. The various settings can be changed to give you a realistic idea of what you might

Your kids can cost the earth Ease the childcare burden with range of tax breaks

end up paying and therefore range of childcare costs, from help you understand how much childminders and after-school you need to save. clubs to day nurseries and As it stands, children in registered nannies. England, Wales and Scotland Basic-rate taxpayers can get free part-time education in receive up to £243 a month in the term after their third tax-free childcare vouchers each birthday. month, falling to £124 a There are also month for higher rate taxpayers and £110 a UK-wide tax credits month for those in and vouchers to the 45 per cent help ease the income tax band. financial burden, Maximum But while the while the saving vouchers are taxgovernment is per child free, they can affect launching a new the amount received in tax-free childcare tax credits. Those credits scheme next year. include a childcare element, The main source of taxavailable to parents who work efficient support is currently 16 hours or more a week and childcare vouchers, which are who pay for childcare. The provided by employers from credits are worth up to £122.50 your pre-tax income. With a per week for one child, and a limit of £1,195 a year, the maximum of £210 per week if savings are useful but modest. you pay for childcare for two or The vouchers cover a broad

14 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

£2000

more children. There is a tax credits calculator at www.gov.uk/ tax-credits-calculator to help you work out if you qualify and a helpline is available on 0845 300 3900. A new system will be introduced in a year’s time that will boost the savings on offer for many families, however. Under its proposed tax-free childcare scheme, first set out in the 2013 Budget and launching in the autumn of 2015, the UK government will add 20p to every 80p that parents (or other family and friends) pay into an online childcare voucher account. The scheme, which provides a maximum saving of £2,000 per child, will be open to all children up to the age of 12 (rising to 17 for children with disabilities). Parents will have to be in work, each earning between £50 a week and £150,000 a year and not receiving tax credits, to qualify for the scheme. That means two-parent families where just one is in work will not qualify. The idea is that this will in the future replace the current childcare vouchers system, which is only accessible through employers. That will bring self-employed workers into the scheme, whereas they are currently frozen out. Government and tax-based childcare help is just one option. There are numerous other ways of cutting costs. For example, it’s possible to save money on hiring a nanny by finding one you can share with another family. Online services such as www. nannyshare.co.uk and www. thenannysharers.co.uk offer (for a nominal fee) a quick way of searching for other local families looking for childcare. An au pair can be significantly cheaper than a nanny, and childminders can also be far more affordable. The average charge is in the region of £100 for a 25-hour week and registered childminders can be paid with childcare vouchers. Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

I’m not just a Faulty Meter Team Leader.

I’m also a charity runner, and a chilli lover.

Opportunities in the energy industry Do you want to apply the skills you’ve learned in the Forces to a new challenge – in a multinational organisation that will really value them? Then come and join RWE npower. We’re one of the Big 6 energy companies, with around 6.5 million customer accounts and over 10,000 employees. In fact, we produce about 10% of the entire electricity used in Great Britain. We want to recruit focused, responsible people like you who share our values of respect, accountability and team spirit. People who can deliver on their promises, give and receive ideas and work in partnership to achieve results. You’ll find our culture is business oriented – but with a real emphasis on looking after our employees. That’s why we provide an excellent work/life balance and outstanding training and development [including leadership programmes]. Our huge, multinational status means we can also offer career opportunities not just here in the UK but overseas as well. And whatever your ambitions, our friendly, supportive approach will help you realise them. To find out how and where you can join us, visit www.npowerjobs.com

Stay switched on

»Personal development

MELANIE PULLAN

had an interesting week recently, working with some senior executives in the construction industry at the start of a large new project. They were all very experienced and technically competent, what you might call high achievers. However, the focus of the work we were doing was not about their abilities from a technical perspective, it was about ‘behavioural competencies’. The concept that their behavioural preferences, or personality, would have an impact on the success or otherwise of a construction project was something they had not all considered. As is often the case, when asked about their strengths they would cite task-based abilities rather than reflect on their personal characteristics. For example, when invited to talk about a particular strength of theirs and how it helps them to be effective in their role, they would discuss technical training, or processes and procedures. I wanted to know more about them as a person. What is it about them that makes them effective? What ‘derailers’ or weaknesses do they need to be aware of? What is their reputation? In all walks of life we would benefit from reflecting on our behaviour. What are our strengths? How do we use them? And, equally important, are we aware of when we overdo our strengths and derail ourselves? What impact does this have on those around us (and on our reputation)? What triggers do we need to be aware of? I think this is particularly important when we are transitioning from a successful career and starting on a new path. There might be a particular characteristic that has been valued in our career to date, but might be perceived differently in a new industry. For example, someone who is very confident might be able to make effective decisions when

Keep your new career on track

Get to know your key personality traits before they derail you under pressure or when working independently. They might be more willing than others to fight for something they believe in. If this level of confidence is valued by their profession it has probably contributed to their success. But people who are extremely confident might feel so secure that they do not see any need for self-improvement. This means they have a diminished capacity to learn, and instead of taking in new information and adjusting to it (as might be needed in career transition) they tend to reinterpret the information to fit their own world view. This is a bit like

16 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

cutting a piece of jigsaw to fit the space. While we might feel better about this in the short term, not being open to learning tends to be associated with longer term failure. Being so confident in our

IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE WE WOULD BENEFIT FROM REFLECTING ON OUR BEHAVIOUR own abilities often means that we blame failure on circumstances or bad luck or the financial climate or on the fact that others ‘just don’t get it’. It means that we don’t have to

consider that we might need to do change – to learn or do things differently. That we might not be so great after all! We can see how this type of attitude might lead to failure. So, we need to be honest with ourselves about our behaviour. What impact is it having on others – because this is what creates our reputation. We all have our derailers, whether we are over confident or over cautious, too imaginative or too reserved. For a light-hearted insight into some of the typical derailing personality traits, have a look at www.howdoyouderail.com Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

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18 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

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»Transition matters tion for service leavers ore veterans could move from the bat- choosing enterprise, with clear signposting and the investment tlefield to the to see their determination and boardroom if they commitment developed, with were given help to solid training and vital firstset up their own businesses. year assistance. There is great entrepreneurial ‘We invite our fellow service potential within the armed forces community, but it needs to be providers to join in our mission, which government encouraged, said the Prime Minister’s adviser on enterprise. acknowledges is the key to growing the UK economy.’ Lord Young of Graffham, an X-Forces receives a dozen entrepreneur himself and a life new registrations per day from peer, was speaking at the first service leavers, veterans, milianniversary of X-Forces, an tary spouses, reservists and organisation set up to support cadets wishing to engage supformer military personnel port for their business ideas. develop their business ideas. At the core of the X-Forces ser‘So many leaving our forces vice is thorough business have the skills and experience planning to ensure that each new to make a great success in civilian life and, at last, are being business is supported with sound given the chance to show us advice; and, says the organisawhat they can do,’ said Lord tion, it’s a journey that lasts years. Young at the X-Forces The X-Forces corpocelebrations at rate membership Wellington programme offers Barracks, an opportunity London, in July. for established ‘I hope that businesses to entrepreneurs not only will launched thanks support a new they succeed but generation of to X-Forces that they will be entrepreneurs an inspiration to from the armed forcthose who follow them.’ es community. Since its launch in July 2013, With its Big Business London based X-Forces has Helping Small Business initiahelped launch 170 new entretive, the X-Forces scheme also preneurs and facilitated more benefits organisations in develthan £1.5 million in seed fundoping their future senior ing. A plan for a regional leaders, giving them experiroll-out has begun, with the ence of mentoring a start-up group’s second base opening in outside the mentor’s normal Newcastle in April 2014. business environment. This is X-Forces’ founder and chief further enhanced for commerexecutive officer Ren Kapur cial organisations by said: ‘We embarked upon a cross-fertilising the values and mission to help service leavers core work ethic of military life. and armed forces dependants Plans for year two include the to achieve their dreams. Twelve establishment of further regional months on, our network grows hubs to allow X-Forces to work more supportive as it expands with the broadest geographical to include more corporate partspread of the armed forces comners and military munity and provide one-to-one organisations. access to business advisers, men‘We have worked intensively, toring and finance. but there is so much more to Business workshops that do. These are extraordinary consider how to take the first individuals, with ideas of consteps into entrepreneurship are siderable scale in many cases, already run in various regional who deserve a more cohesive locations across the UK, and transition. will be rolled out further, along ‘Our vision is a warm recepwith networking events involv-

Lord Young

170

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The EX-Forces team

About X-Forces X-Forces is a social enterprise, operating on a commercial basis while demonstrating a commitment to support the military. It has pledged to re-invest in the infrastructure for armed forces’ enterprises, to allow it to become the force that it truly can be, trading successfully and dynamically while bringing to bear the military values and culture that gives it its

competitive edge. X-Forces will be self-funding once it has extended its training programmes to the wider commercial community. Until then, the support of businesses is vital to enable it to continue to launch new blood into the entrepreneurial sector, where current statistics show that success rates in ex-service businesses are among the highest.

ing corporate members and the existing military community.

member, visit the website at www.x-forces.com or call 0207 811 3237.

For further details, including how to register as a candidate or show support as a corporate

For more about business start-ups see page 44

September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 19

Well run races

Helping disabled veterans find work is goal of festival fund raisers

Wayne Harrod (far rightt)

Wayne meets Ray Townsend and Paul Buckley at Kew

Wayne with Liz George from The Poppy Factory

elebrated paralympian David Weir visited Kew Gardens to launch this year’s Richmond Running Festival and the new junior wheelchair race, accompanied by former 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Colour Sergeant Wayne Harrod, representing the Poppy Factory. The Poppy Factory, based in

Richmond, and the Mo Farah Foundation are the two main charities to benefit from this year’s festival, which takes place on Sunday 21 September. In 2001, Wayne was seriously injured in a tank accident, resulting in a below the knee amputation. When he came to the end of his service with the Army, the Poppy Factory helped him find employment as a gardener and caretaker for the

20 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Cambridge. ‘You have to be fit to be a gardener,’ said Wayne. ‘I have climbed Mount Kenya and I cycle 26 miles a day to and from work, so being here for the running festival should not be a problem.’ Starting in Kew Gardens, the run goes through Richmond and ends in Richmond Deer Park. The running festival

includes the Visit Richmond Half Marathon, Kew Gardens 10k run and the Nike Kids’ Run, as well as a music festival and fitness expo in the park afterwards. Ten per cent of the registration fee will be donated to the two nominated charities. BBC broadcaster Chris Rogers, a vice-patron of the Poppy Factory, said: ‘At a time when many of our forces have only just returned from active duty in Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

»Charity focus

Afghanistan, the dangers of warfare will not have left them. ‘The Poppy Factory is crucial to give the servicemen and women the help and support they need as many choose to return to civilian life and look for alternative employment. Others will be coping with mental scars or physical injury and have paid a huge sacrifice to bring hope to a country and protect ours. ‘I wish everyone the very best of luck in raising important funds for a charity that is needed now as much as it was when it first began many decades ago.’

David Weir (centre) with the team

The Poppy Factory has become a specialist employability charity for disabled veterans, helping them to find work with civilian companies throughout the UK. Last year, the team helped 143 disabled veterans into meaningful employment. Its vision is that ’no disabled veteran who wants to work should be out of work’ and it aims to

become the recruitment provider of choice for its ex-forces clients and for employers alike. Employees at the Poppy Factory also made 12 million poppies in 2013, one million remembrance crosses and 96,000 wreaths for the Royal British Legion. If you are interested in

running to help wounded injured and sick exservicemen and women find employment, please contact the fundraising team on 020 8939 1861 or email fundraising@poppyfactory.org or visit poppyfactory.org The Mo Farah Foundation was set up by the Olympic champion and his wife Tania in 2011 and is focused on health improvement, education and the alleviation of poverty in the Horn of Africa and the UK. For more information visit mofarahfoundation.org.uk

Positive attitude landed Wayne a war graves job Wayne Harrod, 45, knew from the age of eight that he wanted to join the services as his father had served in the Royal Anglian Regiment. Wayne joined the Junior Boys Service at 16 and 1st Battalion Royal Anglian two years later in Gibraltar. A couple of tours of Northern Ireland followed, leading to Wayne’s promotion in 1991 to lance corporal. After seven years in an air mobile role, he was again promoted and became an instructor based in Catterick. He completed warfare instructor training, working within the Jungle School in Kenya, and also undertook a close observation course with the SAS. He was promoted to colour sergeant in 1999. But then, in 2001, he was seriously injured when his leg was crushed in a tank accident. He spent much time in rehabilitation before returning to a recruitment and training role in Winchester. He elected to have a below the knee amputation, and eventually returned to his battalion in 2005. His last three years were

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all about fitness and rehabilitation, working in a physiotherapy and training facilitator role at the Infantry Training Base in Catterick. Wayne came to the end of his service with the Army in 2011, but he struggled to find the right kind of employment and was frustrated by the lack of response from potential employers. Having enjoyed a varied professional career, this difficult transition into civilian life knocked his confidence. Things took a turn for the better when he met the employment team at the Poppy Factory and was subsequently interviewed for a role with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Although he did not have the relevant experience for that particular position, the interviewer recognised Wayne’s positive attitude and was determined to find a suitable job within the organisation so that he could develop his horticultural skills. Having spent the first half of his working life in the Army, he is now determined to spend

the second half of his career at the War Graves Commission. He has been studying at the Manea School of Gardening since joining the CWGC in 2012, and has completed two courses with two commendations (RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth, Propagation and Development, and Certificate of Practical Gardening chosen by the CWGC). He continues with the CWGC’s four-year modular training and is currently awaiting the results of the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Garden Planning, Establishment and Maintenance, due in September 2014. He recently met Ray Townsend, Arboretum Woody Collections and Sward Manager at Kew Gardens, and was taken on a whirlwind tour. ‘I’m a junior horticulturalist at the moment,’ said Wayne. ‘It has been very interesting seeing the perennial herbaceous borders with the different contrasts, floral designs and colour

combinations here at Kew Gardens. Ours are set designs and colours. I hope to have a chance to see more when I come back for the Richmond Running Festival in September.’ Wayne lives with his partner Kate and between them they have three children and two foster daughters. They have fostered six kids together over the past four years, as well as providing emergency fostering. For this Wayne completed a foster carers’ course.

Wayne Harrod

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» Your questions answered

LAURA JOINT

HOW TO PLAN A MOVE ABROAD

Thinking of heading for a new life overseas but don’t know where to start? Laura gets tips from the top

here are two essential words for anyone considering a move abroad: research and patience. There’s a big check list to tick off and some of the red tape involved will take months rather than weeks to get through.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises every UK national considering a move abroad to ‘plan for the unexpected’ and ‘have a plan B in place’. Even so, moving overseas to work or to emigrate lock stock and barrel is an attractive prop-

24 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

osition for many service leavers who have fallen in love with a place while serving abroad or, in many cases, met their life partner. And you’ll be in good company: there are currently six million Brits living overseas. The FCO has produced a list

of Top 10 Tips on its website, which also has links to pages about all the major areas you’ll need to read up about, such as health, taxes, pensions, and legal considerations. The tips are: do your homework; find out about local laws and customs; don’t rush into

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Importa nt links W

Tackling the red tape...

er with the Do I need to regist and how do overseas authority I do this? I register How and where do my pet? an MOT and Does my car need ad tax? ro y will I need to pa licence? g in iv dr Will I need a to pay for How do I register my utilities?

buying a home abroad; get independent legal advice; plan for your health; consider your long-term financial needs; read up on tax regulations; know the costs; tell the relevant UK authorities that you’re moving abroad; and integrate in your new location. The FCO’s ‘plan for the unexpected’ page also has contact details for those needing further advice. The three pages linked here are essential reading and the foreign travel advice has details of visas needed for every country. This is where a degree of patience will come in handy because it can take up to 12 months (or more in some cases) for a visa application to be processed. According to the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), the favourite migration countries for UK service leavers are

SHUTTERSTOCK

‘IN PLANNING THE BIG THINGS IT’S EASY TO FORGET ALL THE OTHER BITS THAT NEED TO BE SORTED OUT TO ENSURE THE TRANSITION IS AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE’ Canada, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Holland, Spain, France and South Africa. The CTP website has lots of tips and useful links to guide you through the practicalities of moving abroad, including booking an international removal company and how to take your pets with you. Your research will be based on your own particular circumstances but once you’ve decided on your destination,

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W W.GOV .UK/GOV NEWS/D E RNME N REAMIN G -OF-MO T/ ABROAD VING -PLAN-F OR-THEUNEXPE C TE D W W W.G OV.UK/G OVERNM PUBLICA EN TIONS/T OP-10 -TIP T/ MOVING S-FOR-ABROAD W W W.G OV.UK/F OREIGN ADVICE -TRAVEL -

should be able to offer advice you’ll need to know about the on jobs, how to apply for visas or work permit requirethem and what qualifications ments. Job opportunities, are needed. property or rental prices (it In planning the ‘big things’ might be best to rent first), livit’s easy to forget all the ing costs, child minding other bits that need options, schools and to be sorted out to health provision are ensure the transialso top of the list tion to your new when you start to months for life is as smooth plan your move. some visa as possible. The You might want applications CTP lists a series to employ the serof questions to help vices of a financial you tackle the red tape adviser to help you with (see box above). considerations such as budgetThe CTP offers workshops ing, currency transfers, credit and courses to assist service rating references (you may need a bank willing to loan you a mortgage or offer an overdraft facility), exchange rates (what will your money equate to in your new country?), pension implications and insurance considerations. If all of this seems too much, the CTP website has a link where you can find an immigration lawyer. When it comes to getting a job overseas, make sure you have everything confirmed and in writing up front! If you’re looking for a job, it’s best to be able to present a CV in the language of the country you are moving to. In fact, being able to speak the language is a must for you and your family. An important thing to remember is that your educational and professional qualifications might not be worth the same in another country. Check if you need to do additional training or get extra qualifications. If you use an emigration agent, they

leavers. A consultant is also available to help with settlement anywhere in the world for those within two years of discharge, while consultants are also available for people moving to another country in Europe and for those people wanting employment advice. The ‘Right Job’ section on the CTP website includes overseas opportunities. For more advice and links, visit this CTP website page: www.ctp.org.uk/assets/ document/449448 Global goal: page 30

Be intrepid in your job search

September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 25

Who are BFRS? British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS) is a non-profit company working for the sole benefit of the armed forces community. It provides help, advice and support throughout the transition from military to civilian life, and beyond. BFRS acts as a bridge to help veterans, servicemen and women, and spouses find employment. For more information visit www.bfrss.org.uk

An asset from the Army

t is inevitable that there will be early service leavers, but when Dan Hart embarked on a military career at the age of 16 in he didn’t expect to be

one of them. Dan reported to the Army Foundation College in Harrogate straight from school in September 2013 and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. Training was going well and his military future looked bright. Then, after just five months, unforeseen personal circumstances meant he was needed elsewhere and he had to apply for Discharge as of Right. He was released in February 2014 and joined the ranks of early service leavers. Before leaving Harrogate, Dan was offered advice on preparing a CV, interview techniques and skills, and help applying for jobs and apprenticeships. But with very little work experience, and no idea what trade or sector to get into, the CV looked a bit thin. On his return home to Leicester, Dan was contacted by Future Horizons. The Future Horizons Programme has been developed in response to the MoD’s commitment to improve resettlement provision to early service leavers (ESLs). The programme is open to ESLs across all the services, regardless of how long they have served or the reasons they have for leaving. It has been designed and is delivered by the RFEA, the Forces Employment Charity. Future Horizons helped Dan with his CV and he then set about approaching the jobs market. A highly self-motivated young man with every intention of getting into work as quickly as possible, he sent off numerous CVs, with covering letters, to local employers, but heard nothing back. So he phoned bosses to find out why and was basically told (in most cases) that due to his lack of experience and qualifications, 26 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

Dan Hart in the Army

his application was not progressed further. Not to be deterred, Dan started applying for jobs through the National Apprenticeship Scheme website, but only got one half positive response, attended one interview and was again rejected. The breakthrough he’d been waiting for came after three months. Dan was contacted by the training provider QDos Training about an apprenticeship opportunity with British Forces Resettlement

Dan on duty

»Our partners

Services (BFRS). He was given a verbal brief on the role of trainee recruitment consultant and he jumped at the chance. ‘The training provider invited me down to meet with them and have a group interview,’ said Dan. ‘My skills and the knowledge I had learnt in the Army helped, as when it came to the team tasks, I already had communication, team work and leadership skills. Also, I had confidence under pressure and a smile on my face. ‘Later on that day I received a phone call from the training provider – they said that after speaking to British Forces Resettlement Services they had arranged a telephone interview, between BFRS and myself.’ Dominic Hamberg, operations manager with BFRS, said: ‘QDos sent us Dan’s CV and, to be honest, it was nothing special but we got a positive feeling from it, especially when we saw he had spent some time with the AFC at Harrogate. ‘I arranged to telephone interview him and he came across extremely well. He had clearly done his homework and thoroughly researched our organisation, so I arranged for a face to face interview. That went well, too, so I decided to take it a stage further and invite him to attend a day’s trial in the office.’ Dan said: ‘The first work trial was very enjoyable and involved IT, answering the phone, making outgoing calls, and more. I think I made an impact as I was invited back for a second work trial. This was based in the other office and the people seemed very friendly. ‘The day was similar to the first work trial, but there was more pressure as more people were there. At the end of the day, I was offered the job and took it with both hands. ‘In my first week I was very nervous about achieving the standards I had shown I was capable of in my work trials, and also about fitting in with the other people who worked there, although they were very supportive. ‘But as soon as I entered the room the atmosphere was great, I had plenty of work and started to feel more settled. By the end of the week, I felt more established, enjoying my work and doing well. Everyone was happy with my performance, which gave me an added boost, and I was comfortable with the work I was doing. ‘At the start of the second week I said I was ready to do more complicated phone Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

Dan: leadership skills

IT’S EASY TO WRITE OFF THE YOUNG…BUT THE SHORT TIME DAN SPENT IN THE MILITARY MADE HIM MUCH MORE EMPLOYABLE’ calls. Now I am enjoying the sales phone calls I make and am moving on with collecting electronic data, doing business development mail merges, and integrating myself as part of the team more and more as the weeks go by.’ Harry Dean, chief executive officer at BFRS, said: ‘It is easy to write off young people before you even give them a chance and, on the face of it, Dan looks just like another teenager. But since he joined the team at BFRS he has more than demonstrated his worth. He is confident, ambitious, he shows initiative and is proving to be a great asset, all of which has been enhanced by the short time he spent in the military, which has made him much more employable.’

Job success Sam English has also been helped into work through the British Forces Resettlement Services, after applying for a job advertised on the BFRS website. ‘I left the Army late last year after being injured in an explosion while serving in Afghanistan,’ said Sam. ‘I applied for the branch supervisor role at Wolseley’s parts centre in Poole in March, and was delighted when I was hired. ‘Wolseley has such a positive attitude towards ex-servicemen and women. With Wolseley and its brands actively advertising on the BFRS site, I think that is a really encouraging message to all those who have left, or are about to leave, the armed forces and may be worried about their employment.’ Siobhan Morrison, Wolseley UK’s interim HR director, said: ‘The partnership between Wolseley UK and BFRS allows us to target a more diverse talent pool, putting us in touch with the best people to fill our vacancies. We offer fantastic career progression and award winning training programmes, so those returning to civilian life can continue their personal development and gain further vocational qualifications.’ www.wolseleycareers.co.uk

Events diary 2 October 2014

Tidworth Military Community Career Fair

4 November 2014

The UK Virtual Franchise Show

5 February 2015

East Midlands Military Community Career Fair

19 March 2015

Hampshire Military Community Career Fair

7 May 2015

North Yorkshire Military Community Career Fair

September/October July/August 2014 || EQUIPPED | 27

Who are RFEA? We are experts in providing a job finding service which generates quality and sustainable employment outcomes for Service Leavers. The vast majority of job opportunities are specially selected and are above the UK average annual salary. We source job opportunities for any rank, trade and background, including Reservists, Early Service Leavers, the Wounded and Dependants.

Helping hand

Charityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s employment consultants are working for you eaving the military soon? Thinking about your next job? The RFEA, the Forces Employment Charity, helps anyone leaving - or who has already left - the services find and remain in employment. The RFEA is the employment arm of the

28 | EQUIPPED | September/October July/August 2014 2014

Career Transition Partnership (CTP), which provides guidance on interview techniques, CV writing, one-to-one advice on your future career, access to training and assistance in researching jobs. The CTP provides this support from two years prior to discharge to two years afterwards. For more information, visit www.ctp.org.uk.

With its network of 24 employment consultants, the RFEA is based in most of the large towns and cities of the UK, including in Newcastle, London, Glasgow, Derby, Birmingham and Bristol. The consultants provide up to the minute job finding help, focused on your local region and the area where you will settle after Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

»Our partners

leaving the military. Working with thousands of employers, ranging from the largest multi-nationals to local and regional small and medium enterprises, the RFEA consultants’ experience enables them to provide a tailored service to meet employers’ recruitment requirements. The RFEA also provides access to Rightjob, the CTP web based jobs board, which features specially selected job vacancies across a variety of industry sectors. You get access to Rightjob when you register for CTP resettlement. The RFEA also works with the Officers’ Association and Officers’ Association Scotland, which assist anyone who holds or has ever held a commission in the British Armed Forces. Their website address is www.officersassociation.org.uk But veterans of all ranks benefit from the RFEA’s services. No matter how long you have been out of the military, you will have access to the same RFEA help as someone who is just about to leave. Through the Future Horizons programme, the RFEA also provides support to early service leavers - those who serve less than four years. The programme is a collaboration between the MoD, Right Management, other service charities, civilian charities and other partners to provide enhanced support and employment provision to early service leavers anywhere in the UK. For more information visit www. ctp.org.uk/futurehorizons The RFEA also provides specialist services to those who face the greatest challenges finding employment. Working as a key part of the Recovery Career Services, the RFEA employs 19 wounded, injured and sick specialist employment consultants, who are based within the personnel recovery units around the country. The Recovery Career Services deliver an individualised career service to help the wounded, injured and sick achieve a sustainable and fulfilling career. The RFEA provides employment support to veterans identified in the criminal justice system. The charity currently provides support in prisons in London and the east of England, and has recently begun another initiative called Project Nova, working closely with Norfolk and Suffolk Police Force. This is an 18-month trial jointly delivered by the RFEA and Walking with the Wounded and is looking at early intervention and diverGo to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

Guidance and support

sion at the point of arrest. The trial provides advice, guidance and support using a ‘nova

‘THEIR EXPERIENCE ENABLES THEM TO PROVIDE A TAILORED SERVICE TO MEET EMPLOYERS’ RECRUITMENT REQUIREMENTS’ network’ of military charities and organisations in Norfolk and Suffolk. The trial will be underpinned by an academic evaluation,

RFEA Offices

carried out by Anglia Ruskin University and funded by the Forces in Mind Trust, to measure its effectiveness. The RFEA works with the Alabaré charity to help ex-service personnel who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. To find out more about how the RFEA can assist you visit www.rfea.org.uk or call the central employment team on 0121 2360058.

■■ Bedford - 01234 346780 ■■ Birmingham - 0121 236 2884 ■■ Bristol - 01179 276176 ■■ Cardiff - 02920 228842 ■■ Colchester - 01206 815846 ■■ Cumbria - 0121 236 0058 Ext 225 ■■ Darlington - 01325 286480 ■■ Derby - 01332 208901 ■■ Edinburgh - 0131 557 1747 ■■ Glasgow - 0141 339 0700 ■■ Gurkha - 01189 573178 ■■ Kinloss - 01309 690327 ■■ Leeds - 0113 2469065 ■■ Lincoln - 01522 548 860 ■■ Liverpool - 0333 011 4121 ■■ London - 020 7808 4185 ■■ Maidstone - 01622 791838 ■■ Manchester - 0161 833 9724 ■■ Newcastle - 0191 222 0654 ■■ N Ireland - 02894 456220 ■■ Overseas - 01622 791838 ■■ Plymouth - 01752 600427 ■■ Portsmouth - 0845 241 5709 ■■ Reading - 01189 573178 ■■ Sheffield - 0114 261 1312 ■■ Tidworth - 01980 650563

September/October July/August2014 2014 | EQUIPPED | 29

»Working abroad

JOB ALERT!

Global goal

Widen your horizons by looking at the overseas job market orking abroad is often a natural transitional route for service leavers, most of whom will have had experience of other countries and cultures, as well as the ability to adapt quickly to different circumstances. The potential financial rewards of overseas employment can be a major incentive, as can the lifestyle, which may seem to represent an exciting path back into civilian life. However, unless an international career is carefully planned it can involve more pain than gain. The Careers Transition Partnership (CTP) offers advice on its website (www.ctp.org.uk) for service leavers considering this option.

Know your motivation

Contacts

You’ll be asked countless times why you want to work abroad. What draws you to a particular country? What is your longer term plan for settling there? You will appear more valuable to future employers if you can demonstrate how your career goals coincide with the career paths their company offers. Showing that you are focused will help you get the job you want; and being flexible will help you cope once you get there. Networking is invaluable and while individual contacts probably won’t offer 30 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

you a dream job, they can give you advice and this may lead to other contacts. Work at expanding your network, and the possibilities will keep increasing. Attending related events to gather as much information as possible will also help you to prepare and consider all aspects of moving overseas.

Go now and job hunt 3 once there?

There are many advantages to lining up a position before you leave home. If you’re sent overseas by a large company, your employer will probably help with transporting your possessions and with housing, as well as offering a salary comparable with what you’d receive in the UK. Heading abroad without securing a job isn’t for the faint hearted but if you are still adventurous enough to go, consider taking a job in a different field or at a lower level just to get a foothold in the country where you want to be. Find out what your living costs will be while job-hunting and investigate the legal requirements for working in your target country; you may be required to come home to apply for the visa or working papers. When you start an international job hunt, you’re embarking on an enterprise with many unknowns. If this scares you, or

BAE Systems is looking for candidates with the following skills/experience: ■■ Typhoon qualified and experienced technicians and supervisors (mechanical, avionic, weapons) ■■ Non destructive inspection on all platforms ■■ Hawk avionics technicians ■■ Tornado technicians ■■ Technical instructors The BAE Systems recruitment team will deliver a presentation on September 15 – at the Cottesmore Regional Resettlement Centre in the Midlands - on employment opportunities within BAE Systems and Living and Working in Saudi Arabia. Potential candidates will learn more about working for BAE Systems and have a short, informal one to one interview with members of the BAE Systems recruitment team. Candidates will then be selected to apply for specific roles. Relocation packages may be available for successful candidates. You must demonstrate your ability to meet the BAE Systems criteria for attendance. Please forward your CV to Alison Clare at aclare@ctp.org.uk and you will be notified within two working days if you have being selected to attend. Spaces are limited to 20. If you require more information please contact Alison Clare Mil: 95341 6877 or Civ: 01572 812241 6877

the family you hope to take along, take time to re-consider or embark on a new round of research and networking. 4

Make it easier for yourself

Citizens of EU countries can move freely from country to country, and most employers in EU countries are obliged to hire EU citizens before giving consideration to others. In many parts of the world, especially where unemployment rates are high, preference is given to local citizens, and in some countries foreign residents are not permitted to hold jobs. Your odds are greatly enhanced, however, if you work for a company with operations overseas. The oil and gas industry and security sector offer perhaps the most obvious paths into civilian contracts abroad but check the CTP website for other openings. Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

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September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 31

Just the job Why former forces are top students on subsea training course in the Middle East 32 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

arren Walley is an ex-serviceman who appreciates the qualities that ex-forces personnel can bring to the oil and gas sector. As ROV Offshore Vessel Manager with Fugro Survey Middle East, he is part of the training team onshore which has been re-skilling former members of the armed forces for roles in the subsea industry. He and another ex-serviceman were the first military recruits to join Fugro’s Middle East division back in 2007, but now, he says, the company values its service leaver intake. It’s not just their qualifications that make them such worthwhile prospects, but their work ethic and ‘sense of ownership’ when they get a job to do. ‘My current general manager, an Italian, is an ex-serviceman and he says the more the merrier because you get the full package. Our top student on the last

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»Working abroad ROV courses

Transferable skills

online and classroom based. There is an ongoing high demand within the subsea industry for people with transferable skills and for this reason Fugro has developed its existing internal training course and made it available to the public. The course is in line with the IMCA (international marine contractor association) and leveraged to the FUGRO international requirement for the ROV section. The course consists of four weeks in the Fugro Training Centre in Abu Dhabi, followed by a trip offshore, working on a live project as part of an ROV team. Fugro is convinced that training is not just about technical knowledge, so they look for people with a strong hydraulic/mechanical/ electrical and electronic background. But the most important thing is to prepare trainees for a working environment, so they can eventually integrate with clients, subcontractors and competitors, often all on the same vessel. Safety is part of the first week of the course and takes the form of academic induction, but it is implemented in a real operating company. There are 10 students on each course, and they are assessed from day one – on their conduct, ability, team participation and common sense. ‘We want people who can work as part of a team and grow with the company,’ says Fugro. The group offers a three-year employment Daniel contract to the Woodhall, ex -

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course was a sergeant in the Royal Signals and on the training course that’s about to finish, the top two students are a South African ex-military and an ex-Royal Marine,’ said Darren. ‘We’re pushing hard at the British forces sector….in fact, my bosses are convinced I’m trying to set up an army in the Middle East because I push them so hard to take on former forces!’ Fugro Survey operates throughout the Arabian Gulf, West Africa, Caspian Sea and east India and as such has an acute understanding of international standards and safety procedures. The company’s inhouse training academy has close links with Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen and Plymouth University, and can offer more than 200 courses both

Courses on offer

top performing candidates of every course, so there is an element of competition. But the company points out that accessing the course is already an achievement. The entry requirements have been taken from the industry standards to ensure that candidates have a fair chance of success. After all, Fugro runs the courses to employ people. As Darren said, service leavers can struggle without degrees or recognised civilian qualifications and sometimes can’t get through to the first stage of the employment process with their CVs. All that is required by the industry, however, following the IMCA guidelines, is a nationally recognised technical trade qualification, or military service qualification, in one of the following subjects: electrical, electronic, hydraulics or mechanics – plus a

‘WE WANT PEOPLE WHO CAN WORK AS PART OF A TEAM AND GROW WITH THE COMPANY’ minimum of three years’ technically relevant industrial experience in an appropriate discipline. Those who have been through further education need only one year’s technical experience. And those who meet none of these criteria should not give up hope because if they have extensive experience, supported by references, they will also be considered. Personal attributes, such as enthusiasm and self-motivation, are regarded highly, and physical fitness is a prerequisite too. For more information on Fugro’s courses email rovtraining@fugro.com

Royal Signals Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 33

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

Course Dates

7 - 10 2/3 - 10/11 7 - 11 14 - 18 14 - 18 21 - 25 21 - 3 (Aug) 23 28 - 1 (Aug) 28

4-8 4 - 15

01 - 05 08 - 12 08

29 - 1 (Aug)

MSO PTTLS STCW 95 STCW 95 FPOS-I STCW 95 CP PSA STCW 95 IOSH Working Safely IOSH Managing Safely

11 - 15 13 - 14 18 - 22 18 - 22 25 - 29 27

STCW95 Nebosh General Certificate STCW95 MSO Fast Track STCW95 FPOS-I STCW95 PSA

STCW95 STCW95 IOSH Working Safely 09 - 12 IOSHManaging Safely 10 - 12 SSO (Ship Security Officer) 15 – 18 MSO 15 – 19 STCW95 22 – 26 STCW95 22 – 26 FPOS-I 24 PSA 29 – 3 (Oct) STCW95 29 – 12 (Oct) CP

Blackpool Courses:

Security Level 3 Close Protection Duration: 14 days Cost: £1250 + VAT Level 3 Conflict Management Course Duration: 3 days Cost: £425 + VAT

Education 7303 Level 3 Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) Duration: 4 days Cost £495 + VAT

Maritime STCW95 Basic Safety Training Package (All 4 Modules) Duration: 5 days Cost: £580 + VAT Ship Security Officer (SSO) Course and Anti-Piracy Module Duration: 3 days Cost: £325 + VAT BTEC Level 3 Maritime Security Operative (MSO) Duration: 4 days Cost: £450 + VAT BTEC Level 3 Maritime Security Operative (MSO) Fast Track Duration: 2 days Cost: £300 + VAT

Health and Safety IOSH Working Safely Course Duration: 1 day Cost: £150 + VAT IOSH Managing Safely Course Duration: 4 days Cost: £450 + VAT NEBOSH National General Certificate, Level 3 Duration: 10 days plus exam day Cost: £1250 + VAT NEBOSH International General Certificate, Level 3 Duration: 10 days plus exam day Cost: £1250 + VAT NEBOSH Oil and Gas Certificate, Level 3 Duration: 5 days plus exam day Cost: £625 + VAT

Medical Tier 1 Medic (FPOS-I) Duration: 5 days Cost: £400 + VAT Level 3 First Aid At Work (FAW) Duration: 3 days Cost £120 + VAT

At Colossal we offer state of the art training from ex-armed forces and emergency service personnel. Call our friendly team for further details on bespoke packages and course dates. APPROVED BY MoD IN SUPPORT OF THE ELC SCHEME

ELC PROVIDER NUMBER

5813

Close Protection courses A Level 3 SIA recognised qualification. At COLOSSAL our reality courses prepare students for employment possibilities in the real world, no endless paperwork projects and power point lessons, just great reality hands on training. Our 14 Day Executive CP Course includes real time exercises with real VIPs guided by our current operational instructors who have protected Royalty, FCO dignitaries, film stars and international business people.

Duration: 14 days (inclusive of weekends)

Cost:

£1250.00 + VAT

per student The course includes tea/ coffee and complimentary buffet lunch.

TRAINING ELCAS Packages Executive Security Operative Package

UK HSE Manager

CP Level 3, 14 days +Tier 1 Medic (FPOS-I), 5 days

£1800 inc VAT

Maritime Security Operative

£2500 inc VAT

MSO Level 3, 4 days +SSO, 3 days +Tier 1 Medic (FPOS-I), 5 days / First Aid At Work L3 (Joint course)

£1320 inc VAT

Complete Security Operative

APPROVED BY MoD IN SUPPORT OF THE ELC SCHEME

ELC

Overseas HSE Manager NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety IOSH Managing Safely L2 IOSH Working Safely L2 First Aid at Work L3

£2500 inc VAT

CP Level 3, 14 days +Tier 1 Medic (FPOS-I), 5 days / First Aid At Work L3 (Joint course) + MSO Level 3, 4 days + SSO, 3 days + STCW 95, 5 days

£3300 inc VAT

NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety L3 IOSH Managing Safely L2 IOSH Working Safely L2-First Aid at Work L3

Complete HSE Manager NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety L3 NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety L3 IOSH Managing Safely L2 IOSH Working Safely L2

£3700 inc VAT

PROVIDER NUMBER

5813 To book or for more information contact us E: admin@colossaltraining.co.uk W: www.colossaltraining.co.uk T: +44 (0)1253 694574 7 Croft Court, Plumpton Close, Blackpool, FY4 5PR

:Colossal Training

:ColTraining

:Colossal Training

Pledge on jobs

G4S makes commitment to help armed forces

he security firm G4S has said it will provide at least 600 staff as armed forces reservists, as well as guaranteeing ex-service personnel interviews for jobs. The company signed a corporate covenant at the Ministry of Defence at the end of July which will see it become one of the biggest employers of military reservists from 2017. The covenant - signed by Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon, G4S CEO Ashley Almanza and General Sir Peter Wall, Chief of the General Staff – also enshrines a commitment to flexible working hours for reservist staff to allow them to train and be deployed on MoD exercises. Sir Peter said: ‘The pledge made by G4S to recruit a further 600 reservists is an immensely supportive step towards the armed forces and employers working together to achieve the numbers we need.’ G4S is a global company that has trained thousands of security professionals and given them a route into the industry. Its trainers are predominantly former SAS, all with operational experience and most with a background in private security as well, highly skilled experts in anti and counter terrorism. They also hold professional accredited teaching qualifications, diplomas and advanced degrees in education. G4S’s specialist training division, based in Hereford, offers a wide range of courses in the security field, and the company is an ELCAS approved learning provider. The latest course to win MoD funding is the Level 4 Approved Tier 1 Operational Medic (ATOM) so if you are a service leaver of have left the services within the last 10 years you may be eligible to apply. The ATOM course was designed in response to the requirements of clients – in particular, international oil and gas companies, which want those providing security for their operations to be able to deliver first line medical support.

36 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

It is also suitable for individuals or groups who are involved in expeditions or exploration, and who wish to build on their core medical knowledge and gain recognised qualifications. Delegates will develop an increased confidence with regards to dealing with casualties in hostile and remote environments, says G4S, and its graduates tend to be highly sought after for a wide variety of opportunities worldwide.

G4S say the ATOM course is:

■■ Delivered by experienced professionals ■■ Endorsed by the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh ■■ An OCN Level 4 academic qualification ■■ An Advanced Tier 1 medic qualification ■■ Internationally recognised ■■ Accommodation is available at the G4S facilities for the five-day course, but training can also be delivered internationally and at clients’ own locations.

To undertake the ATOM course, students must have one of the following: ■■ FPOS intermediate ■■ Combat medical technician class 1 (or service equivalent) ■■ Emergency medical technician ■■ HSE offshore medic ■■ Paramedic

The next G4S open day is on September 19 at its training centre in Longworth Hall, Hereford. This is a chance for those wishing to gain qualifications in the security industry to tour the facilities, meet the training staff – all of whom are ex-forces, talk with students who have just completed courses, and ask questions about employment in the industry in general, and with G4S in particular. For further information visit www.specialisttraining.g4s.com Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

SHUTTERSTOCK/G4S

ÂťSecurity

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Global company many roles September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 37

Combat cyber threats Tailored range of courses to protect organisation from attacks

GI Training is a global security and risk mitigation group specialising in all aspects of security provision. It is made up of five key divisions: cyber, technology, intelligence, physical and training. The company’s Cyber Security Division (PGI Strontium) is one of only a few organisations to have met the criteria for accreditation with the internationally respected Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers (CREST). PGI Cyber Academy has developed advanced cyber training and leads the UK market in immersive training methodologies. Its tailored range of courses is aimed specifically at those organisations and individuals who work to protect organisations from the growing threat of cyber-attacks.

Its training courses have been developed specifically for: ■■ IT leaders who want to develop business and IT strategies to defend networks and critical data ■■ IT professionals who need the skills to protect their organisations in real time ■■ CEOs and managing directors who need to ensure the safety of their organisation ■■ Senior level managers and directors who need to protect the reputation and brand of their organisation against a cyber attack ■■ Government departments and police forces ■■ International governments

Why Use The PGI Cyber Academy for your training?

Methodology will teach delegates precisely how an external threat may attack their organisation. It will also show them how to develop business strategies to defend networks and critical information. Students will receive in-depth, hands-on training and will learn about current cyberattack methods, and strategies to protect and defend networks and critical information. This course is for professionals involved in network and computer security, programmers and people who are responsible for protecting their organisations’ networks from threats.

Course outline

Information gathering ■■ Learn to mine a website for key information ■■ Practice techniques to discover new servers through DNS brute forcing, zone transfers and so on. Scanning and enumeration ■■ Learn network-based scanning and enumeration using command line tools ■■ Discover exploits using web browser enumeration. Gaining access ■■ Practice Metasploit exploits and techniques ■■ Discover tunnelling techniques such as SSH and pivoting ■■ Learn Cross Site Scripting (XSS) and SQL Injection ■■ Execute client-side exploits and

botnet deployment ■■ Expanding network access ■■ Query the Windows registry ■■ Check system safety and security ■■ Learn methods for discovering files of interest ■■ Query the Windows active directory ■■ Practice methods to crack passwords ■■ Learn to enumerate UNIX and Linux systems. Sustaining access ■■ Discover network devices and routing infrastructure ■■ Detect antivirus tools and intrusion detection systems ■■ Learn techniques for sustaining access. Course infrastructure ■■ Students receive a textbook to accompany instruction ■■ Every student can practise on a personal sandboxed network of 30-35 targets, including switches, routers, and firewalls with Unix and Windows systems ■■ Each realistic target network has routers and active directory domains populated with simulated personal data to immerse students in detailed scenarios ■■ The capstone event assesses the students’ understanding of remote exploitation and the cyclic approach used to obtain and analyse information to gain access throughout a company’s network For more information visit www.pgicyberacademy.com

■■ PGI Cyber Academy is a training facility that is first-rate in its design, technology and learning environment. ■■ Trainers come from highly qualified backgrounds who are experts in their fields and who combine their training and teaching with operational work so their skills are always as up to date as possible. ■■ All the courses are aligned with and geared to national standards and accreditations such as CREST and TIGER. ■■ All the courses and programmes are designed specifically for their relevant sectors. ■■ All PGI Cyber Academy students become part of the Academy Alumni Programme which provides opportunities for networking and professional development.

The 10-day Advance Threat

38 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

»Security

On course for success Providing skills that will help you stand out eicester based security company Perpetuity Training has achieved the internationally recognised ISO 9001 accreditation, underlining it as one of the leaders in its field. This independent assessment was conducted by the British Assessment Bureau and cements the company’s commitment to service and quality in delivery. The ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) 9001 was introduced in 1987 and requires organisations to demonstrate that they have a quality management system, leading to high levels of performance and client satisfaction. Certified organisations are committed to continuous improvement and are assessed annually to ensure that required standards are being maintained. Perpetuity Training’s managing director, Ken Livingstone, said: ‘Achieving ISO 9001 status underlines the commitment we make to provide top quality

training and customer service to our clients at all times. ‘Perpetuity’s strengths lie in the experience, knowledge and academic qualifications held by the management and staff of the company and we are delighted this has been recognised by achieving ISO 9001 status.’

The benefits of registration to the ISO 9001 standard include:

■■ Streamlining an organisation’s procedures; ■■ Bringing consistency to an organisation’s service delivery; ■■ Reducing cost and rework; ■■ Improving an organisation’s management practices; ■■ Enhanced status; ■■ Competitive advantage.

ELCAS Approved supplier

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Perpetuity Training, which has a record of working with the armed forces, is the leading provider of security manage-

ment training in the UK, and through its renowned distance learning platform provides accredited security management training worldwide. The company, which is an ELCAS approved supplier, also specialises in bespoke training for organisations wishing to provide training for their employees in areas such as: security management; security surveying; cyber security; risk, crisis and disaster management; and workplace investigation and interviewing. Through Perpetuity’s parent company, Linx International, group services include consultancy in security and risk management, and through Perpetuity’s sister company, ARC Training International, security management training is available across Africa, the Middle East and Asia via a network of authorised partners. ‘We specialise in courses that are designed to prepare and equip you for a career in the private security sector,’ says Perpetuity. ‘We do this by providing you with the key knowledge you require, the qualifications you need, and the enhanced skills that will make you stand out to both employers and clients. ‘Whether you are looking to work within a company as a security manager, work for a security company, or operate as a consultant we can provide the courses you need to succeed.’ For more information visit www.perpetuitytraining.com

Bespoke training

September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 39

“Today was tough. I can’t wait for tomorrow.” British Transport Police Recruiting Police Staff and Ofﬁcer roles across the UK Protecting more than 6 million people and 400,00 tonnes of freight over 10,000 miles of track, our people take uniquely challenging journeys every day. We’re the UK’s only national police force, and our people need to be the best, without exception. Your role will be varied, challenging and dynamic. You’ll need exceptional commitment, strong customer service and the ability to adapt to a changing environment. Join our peerless team and you’ll ﬁnd the rewards are as unique as the challenges.

Make Britain’s railways your beat. Visit www.careers.btp.police.uk

»Security

Are you ready to start your own duct cleaning and deep kitchen clean business? The Envirogroup franchise opportunity is focused on duct cleaning and deep kitchen cleans within the hospitality sector, the franchise owner will operate from a vehicle that will be stocked with all the necessary own label chemicals and specialised equipment. Now is the time to join a legislation led, recession proof franchise opportunity. In return, franchise owners will enjoy valuable skills training, a proven business formula, personalised support, a strong brand name and an unmatched opportunity for success. Request a franchise Prospectus Email john@envirogroupni.com Mobile 07545 505093 Telephone 028 4175 4005

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CBT Courses in Counselling and Psychotherapy

03/09/2014 12:22

Whether you wish to become a Therapist, or simply to improve your communication skills for personal or professional use, we have a course to suit you. The Centre of Therapy in Glasgow is COSCA (Scotland’s professional body for counselling and psychotherapy) validated and an SQA approved provider of CBT therapy training. As all of our courses are part-time and mostly run either at weekends or evenings, they can fit around work and lifestyle commitments. The tutors who deliver the training are all experienced counselling practitioners who speak from personal knowledge and experience. Funding is available on our courses through ELCAS.

COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills

(SCQF Level 7)

Starts 11th Feb 2015 Wednesdays: 6pm - 9pm This 4 module course is valuable for improving listening and communication skills and is the recognised route to becoming a Therapist in Scotland. There are no formal entry requirements for the course. Each module is run over 10 weeks, one night a week. Cost £275 per module, total cost £1100.

CBT Toolkit - 5 day Intensive Course in CBT

(SCQF Level 8)

13th - 17th Oct 2014 9.30am - 4.30pm (In Edinburgh) 24th - 28th Nov 2014 9.30am - 4.30pm 24th - 28th Nov 2014 9.30am - 4.30pm (In Edinburgh) This practical course provides participants with a solid understanding of the Cognitive Behavioural approach. Helps improve guidance and communication skills on a personal and professional level. Participants will be able to identify opportunities to enrich and invigorate their practice by seeing their work differently and becoming open to the possibilities of experimenting with new tools and techniques. Cost £595

SCOTACS Diploma in Counselling & Groupwork (COSCA Validated, SCQF Level 10)

Weekly Friday course starts 4th of Sept 2015 or One Weekend a Month course starts 11th, 12th, and 13th of Sept 2015 This course is delivered part-time over 2 years resulting in certification as a fully qualified Therapist. The skills of CBT are developed experientially and underpinned by a cognitive and behavioural theoretical basis. This is enhanced and supported by a well structured framework which enables the student's understanding of how skills can continually expand and develop; enabling them to work with complex and challenging cases. The uniqueness of the Diploma in Counselling and Groupwork is in the fact that you will graduate with a recognised Counselling tradition in CBT and will be free to use the Professional title of Qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist. You can also use your practice on the course to count towards accreditation with the BABCP. Furthermore, you can consider yourself an Integrative Practitioner should you wish to implement the numerous theoretical approaches included in the course into your practice. Cost £3175 each year.

If you would like more information, please contact Victoria Osborne on 0141 331 0750 or by email to victoria@centreoftherapy.org.uk

www.centreoftherapy.org.uk

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 41

Military personnel a perfect fit

From road builders to rail engineers, there’s a wide range of roles for service skills

mey’s director of talent and recruitment, Martin Nicholds, had little knowledge of the military or how the armed forces could fulfil civilian roles in his company. But then, about three years ago, a female captain from the Royal Engineers approached him and asked if she could spend a week with his HR team. Martin readily agreed and, he said, they both came to the same conclusion that what the Royal Engineers and Amey did was very similar. ‘She showed us some slides of Camp Bastion and I realised it’s the size of

‘OTHER COMPANIES ARE INCREASINGLY INVESTING IN THIS SOURCE OF LABOUR AND WE ARE KEEN TO DO THE SAME’ Reading. It had to be built - it has roads, and drainage, and electrical connections, bricklaying, maintenance. Amey has to carry out a number of these services on its contracts,’ said Martin. ‘It was very useful to see the wide range of skills soldiers have that could be used across the company.’ Amey has been targeting this pool of potential talent ever since. With the rail industry going through a ‘real boom’ – with Crossrail, High Speed 2 and the electrification of the railways – billions of pounds are being invested, but at the same time the number of people coming in is shrinking, said Martin. ‘The military are a really good source of skilled labour in a market that’s getting tougher,’ he said. ‘Other companies are increasingly investing in this source of labour and we are keen to do the same at Amey.’ When the opportunity came to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant last year it was a natural step for the company. Amey, like all the organisations that have signed the military covenant, also 42 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

believes in the moral obligation the country has to members of the armed forces and their families. Martin’s job is to recruit, develop and retain people and since 2013, more than 30 former forces personnel have joined the company in a variety of positions, including in facilities maintenance, highways and rail contracts across the UK. Ex-armed forces are employed as electrical site supervisors, business improvement managers, arborists (tree surgeons), electrical plant operators; building engineers, security officers, janitors, and communications executives, among other roles. The company now says it is making steps to become an employer of choice for personnel leaving the armed forces. Not only is this in line with its equality and diversity policies and commitments, but also because of the very real business benefits it believes servicemen and women bring. Amey finds that the range of skills and the disciplined work ethos they bring is proving to be a good fit. Ex-service personnel possess a number of valuable transferable skills, including leadership, teamwork, and project management, all of which are essential for working former in business. By investing time of the armed forcforces join esmembers and support, the firm hopes it directly and, in particular, Amey can help servicemen and women to discover the transferable make the transition into challenging skills they may possess as a new careers. result of their military background As well as signing the Armed Forces and training,’ said the company. Amey Covenant, Amey has additional projects to also advertises on the CTP job board to help it attract increased numbers of find service leaver candidates. military personnel. These include: On its electrification rail contract it is committed to ensuring that 25 per cent of the workforce has an armed forces background; Working with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) so far, of the 96 people working on the project, 26 have come from the military. Amey has already participated in recruitAn example of this is Lee Brookson, ment events, which have resulted in offers materials and logistics manager at Amey of work placements and full-time roles. (see case study). He attended one of the ‘They give us a great forum to talk to

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»Forces friendly organisations

From the Army to Amey

presentations held by Amey at Tidworth Barracks, was interviewed and recruited into his role at the Great Western Electrification project. He believes his military background as a quartermaster helped him in his new role.

The Recovery Career Services supports wounded, sick and injured personnel find employment.

Work with the Poppy Factory, Recovery Career Services and Army Resettlement Centres

This was aimed at highlighting career opportunities and facilitating work placements, as well as running CV and interview skills sessions.

The Poppy Factory works with commercial organisations to help ex-service personnel find work and Amey is promoting its vacancies with them, and also with the Army Resettlement Centres. Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

Work with 23 Pioneer Regiment in Bicester and 4 2 Commando (Marines):

For more information about working at Amey visit www.amey.co.uk

Former Army quartermaster Lee Brookson joined Amey last year as a materials and logistics manager working on the Great Western electrification project in the company’s Consulting, Rail and Strategic Highways division. ‘When I heard Amey was holding a presentation about work on the rail electrification project at Tidworth Barracks I almost didn’t attend because I was unaware of the variety of roles on offer. ‘Happily, I decided that I would go along and I was really surprised to find out about the wide range of opportunities. I had an initial chat about the types of roles available and quickly realised that during my 27 years with the Army I had developed a lot of transferable skills which were a good fit with Amey. ‘I went on to have an interview and successfully gained the role as distribution and logistics manager for the Great Western electrification project. Although I am working in a new environment, the required skills are similar to those used during my Army service. ‘My military background has been a huge help in preparing me for the challenge of mobilising the High Output Operational Base and the on-going logistical demands of keeping a busy rail contract operating smoothly. ‘In addition, there are the leadership skills which a military background instils; these have been invaluable to me and I hope to Amey. ‘I’d urge anyone leaving the forces to take a look and not to be put off by thinking they haven’t got direct experience in rail, highways, utilities, waste management or facilities management – there are such a wide range of roles available in all these areas and a need for a wide variety of skill sets.’ Lee works alongside former Navy, RAF and Army colleagues in roles ranging Lee from site Brookson managers to rail engineers.

September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 43

»Forces friendly organisations

What a great idea!

Ex-military mentors help business start-ups get off the ground

ervice leavers wanting to start up their own businesses now have a new support network thanks to an initiative launched in Scotland earlier this year. The ViNE (Veterans into New Enterprise) programme was created by Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce in central Scotland, and offers structured one to one support to service leavers embarking on business ventures. It differs from existing programmes in that applicants are allocated a mentor who sees them through from initial idea to start up, and it includes one year’s free membership of Launching the Chamber to the initiative help the fledgling business through the tricky early stages. Additional business mentoring comes from Chamber members who have military backgrounds, and therefore understand the transition process. The scheme was officially launched at a ceremony at 51 Brigade in Stirling in April, with the support of Brigadier Paul Harkness MBE, senior officers from the Royal Navy and RAF, and the team from the Career Transition Partnership in Rosyth. Chamber member Ray Young, owner of Astute Facilities Management and himself ex-Army, is one of the business mentors supporting ViNE. ‘Coming out of the military and into self-employment was a huge challenge,’ said Ray. ‘I had transferable skills and selfdiscipline but knew nothing about business planning, marketing, cash flow and all the other things involved in running a business. ‘The ViNE programme provides all the structured support needed and

44 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

membership of the Chamber gives access to a range of support I couldn’t get elsewhere.’ The programme is now attracting national interest and was invited to a Downing Street reception recently to meet with other organisations supporting veterans. The Secretary of State for Scotland , Alistair Carmichael, said ViNE was ‘a great example of helping people leaving the forces to make the best use of their skills and knowledge’. Michelle McKearnon, business development manager for Forth Valley Chamber, said: ‘ViNE is unique in Scotland and is open to veterans and their families across the country. Although in its early stages and running as a pilot funded by the Community Covenant Grant Scheme, we hope to roll the programme out so that it can be delivered at key sites across Scotland. ‘ There is a great deal of support from our partner organisations to help veterans into employment, but this is the only programme of its kind supporting selfemployment as a civilian career option. We know that veterans have a considerable amount of transferable skills which are needed in running your own business: self-discipline, attention to detail and an ethic of hard work to name but a few. ‘However, setting up a new business from scratch requires a high level of support and our ViNE clients are also dealing with other issues around transition so have a huge amount to deal with. ‘We provide a level of one-to-one support that enables them to be confident in their business idea and to be reassured that the full weight of the Chamber support network is behind them. We want to see people being developed to their full potential, and the creation of sustainable businesses in our

local and national economy.’ Brigadier Harkness, Commander 51 Brigade, who is a keen supporter of the ViNE project, said it ‘addresses the challenges confronting veterans who wish to set up their own business without having had the experience of working in a civilian firm beforehand.’ See General Interest on page 67

‘A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HELPING PEOPLE LEAVING THE FORCES TO MAKE BEST USE OF THEIR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE’

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

From the Armed Forces to serving with Amey. They’ve served our country and now we’re extremely proud to have a number of Armed Forces veterans working with us, helping to create better places to live, work and travel. Almost everyone one in the UK benefits from at least one of our services every day. Whether it’s managing the UK’s highways, keeping our water running or working closely with the Ministry of Defence, a career with Amey will see you play a major role in our day-to-day lives. See our career opportunities at:

amey.co.uk

Tweet @ameyplc using #AskOurVeterans to find out how you can make a difference today.

linkedin.com/company/amey

Banking on you Financial giant offers a big step up to new civilian careers in the corporate world

very year, Barclays helps hundreds of servicemen and women prepare for transition into civilian employment. The Barclays Armed Forces Transition Employment and Resettlement (AFTER) programme helps equip people with the skills and resources they need to build careers outside the military. It offers work experience placements, employment opportunities, CV and interview workshops and moneymanagement training, as well as funding for education and vocational courses. Since it was launched in 2010, in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and several service charities, the scheme has helped more than 2,500 ex-servicemen and women. And, as part of its wider ambition to change five million young futures, Barclays has committed £1 million to the AFTER

46 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

programme, with an additional £1 million raised for service charities by Barclays employees since 2010. Through programmes focused on enterprise, employability and financial skills, Barclays is giving millions a platform to achieve their goals, build their own businesses, get jobs and become financially independent. Stuart Tootal, head of the AFTER programme, said: ‘It can be daunting for the best of us moving from one job to another, but for people who have served in the military, adapting to a civilian job and lifestyle can be tough. We benefit hugely from the discipline, leadership and strategic thinking veterans bring to the table - they are a real asset and we are lucky to have them on board.’ Through the programme, servicemen and women can take advantage of a range of support, including employability and financial skills training, as well as corporate

work placement and employment opportunities. Barclays offers CV writing and interview preparation workshops that provide practical advice and guidance to help beneficiaries hone the skills they need to enhance future job prospects. Barclays also offers financial skills training through Money Skills, its flagship financial capability programme. Sessions provide practical information on budgeting, planning for the future, savings and investments, credit, debt and understanding financial products. Barclays’ employability and financial skills sessions are delivered as part of an MoD-led initiative focused on providing wounded, injured and sick military personnel with access to services and resources needed to either return to duty or make a smooth transition into civilian life. Since 2012, these resources have been made available to all veterans. These courses are Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

»Forces friendly organisations

led by Barclays’ volunteers, who lend their time and expertise to help ensure that the positive impact of the bank’s support goes beyond just a financial contribution. Barclays supports the development of talent across active duty and reserve forces through a number of channels. Through these initiatives, military men and women are able to learn more about, and take steps toward building careers in the corporate world. Fixed-term work placements are available across the bank, granting service personnel early access to the corporate world, the chance to acquire skills against a new backdrop and the opportunity to build relationships – all before leaving the military. Barclays’ broader commitment to the military community has been established in the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant, which was signed in 2013. The covenant highlights the steps the bank is taking to Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

help ensure that no member of the armed forces community faces disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services. Barclays’ commitment includes providing banking services that

‘WE BENEFIT HUGELY FROM THE DISCIPLINE, LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGIC THINKING VETERANS BRING TO THE TABLE - WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE THEM ON BOARD’ specifically help service people, veterans and their families. Through the AFTER programme, Barclays offers a number of services which help make banking easier for military personnel, who can face difficulties when applying for mortgages or unsecured loans. Barclays now reviews each military customer’s mortgage or unsecured lending application where they have been

automatically declined. This ensures that servicemen and women are not disadvantaged as a consequence of their military service. When on operations, military personnel receive 30 minutes of free telephone calls per week to keep in touch with home. The bank has worked with the MoD telecoms provider to grant those serving overseas free calls to Barclays and Barclaycard. This allows soldiers to conduct their banking while reserving phone allowance credits for other personal calls. Barclays also provides financial services at various military bases throughout the UK, meaning money management support is easily available at selected military establishments. To learn more about careers at Barclays, visit Barclays.com/joinus. And visit Barclays.com/5MYF to find out more about Five Million Young Futures. September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 47

LAND. SEA. AIR. ROAD?

Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as a roadside patrol, a recovery driver or one of hundreds of other jobs around our business, here at the AA we offer challenging careers for service leavers. Visit theAAcareers.co.uk to see our latest vacancies.

The confidence to believe. The skills to achieve. Through Barclays commitment to 5 Million Young Futures, we are helping hundreds of service men and women in the UK each year prepare for their transition into civilian employment through the Armed Forces Transition Employment and Resettlement (AFTER) programme. Learn more at barclays.com/5MYF

48 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

Open up your future with a Diploma in Fire Prevention

“The course was invaluable. I’ m finding practical app lications for what I ha ve learnt every week.”

J Beeching, ISS Facility S ervices Ltd

With a CFPA Europe Diploma in Fire Prevention you can open up your personal pathway to a successful future.

The level 4 Diploma also provides a gateway to higher-level

As a holder of the Diploma you will have a proven knowledge

The Fire Protection Association is the only UK provider of the

and fire prevention principles. All of which are essential for

On receiving your Diploma, which is recognised Europe-wide, you

risk managers, property surveyors, environmental health officers,

studies, such as the CFPA Advanced Diploma in Fire Prevention and BSc (Hons) degree in Fire Risk Management.

and understanding of fire prevention issues, fire protection

Diploma on behalf of the awarding body CFPA Europe.

those looking to establish careers as fire safety professionals,

will join 20,000 students who have been awarded the qualification.

to name just a few.

The European Confederation of Fire Protection Associations (CFPA) is a formal body that links nationally recognised fire protection associations in 17 European countries. It exists to promote the highest standards of fire safety management.

Visit www.thefpa.co.uk for more information and forthcoming start dates.

If you’d like to discuss in detail the options open to you, call us on 01608 or email training@thefpa.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help. THE UK’s NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY ORGANISATION Protecting people, property, business and the environment

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LEARNING FOR LIFE Claim your credits and ease the transition into civilian employment he Enhanced Learning Credits scheme gives service personnel the opportunity to study for recognised civilian qualifications and ease their transition out of the forces. It provides financial support in the form of a single upfront payment in each of a maximum of three separate financial years. Funding is only available for pursuit of higher level learning – that is, for courses that result in a nationally recognised qualification at Level 3 or above on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (England and Wales), a Level 6 or above on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) or, if pursued overseas, an approved interna-

50 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

tional equivalent qualification. To join the ELC scheme you must have completed and submitted an application form either in your first 12 months from enlistment or in the window between eight and eight and a half years from enlistment. Application forms must arrive with ELCAS (the Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Services) within one calendar month of the end of your chosen registration window. A key stage of making a claim is choosing a suitable course and provider. Your chosen organisation must be an ELC approved provider and the only definitive list of these is available from the ELCAS website www.enhancedlearningcredits.com Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

ÂťELC

Top tips Learning providers may move on and off the approved list and so it is advisable to check your provider is approved before you undertake any claim. A list of the references to help with 2 course level research may be found on the ELCAS useful contacts page under the claiming tab. You must refer to the Joint Service Publications (JSP) 898 Part 4, Chapter 3 - The Enhanced Learning Credit Scheme: The Sponsorship of Service Personnel for Personal Development and your education staff for guidance with regard to eligible activities. Keep a copy of your Claim 3 Authorisation Note (CAN) as you will need the reference numbers for completing your evaluation form. MoD rules strictly forbid the 4 acceptance of inducements or incentives from providers, including subsidies, free accommodation, travel and equipment. Learners who breach these rules risk forfeiting their ELC membership. The MoD and ELCAS rely on accurate 5 completion of evaluation forms to help assess learning provider performance. Help your fellow claimants to access the best possible learning provision by providing timely and accurate evaluation feedback. 1

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September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 51

»ELC

ROUTE INTO SENIOR ROLES

Royal Agricultural University top for graduate employability

he Royal Agricultural University is not only ranked top within the land-based sector but is also within the leading 10 per cent of the UK’s 160 universities and colleges for graduate employability, according to a report recently released by HESA (the Higher Education Statistics Agency). Surveys of 2013 graduates reveal that 96.3 per cent of undergraduates and 97.5 per cent of postgraduates are in employment or further study within six months of leaving the RAU. Information from the 2013 undergraduates also revealed that the majority (75 per cent) had also secured more senior positions – classed as ‘professional or managerial roles’. The statistics highlight the number of career opportunities for new graduates in the land-based sector, including a diverse range of exciting career options in agriculture, food, agri-business, equine, land and environmental management. RAU graduate Katherine Meacham said: ‘The degree really set UK agriculture in a global context for me, and as a result I have

52 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

been propelled into an amazing opportunity. I had four job offers before graduating, all in very different agricultural fields, and my degree from the RAU was fundamental in creating these opportunities.’ ‘We are very encouraged indeed by this latest survey,’ said Professor W Paul Davies, RAU vice-principal. ‘The Royal Agricultural University (and RAC previously) is known, nationally and internationally, for good student employability following degree studies at Cirencester - and this reputation justly continues. The applied nature of our courses, their relevance to the world of work, and the university’s continuing close links and connectivity to employers, through the efforts of our careers service and academic staff, remain the key. ‘Student employment six months after graduating has been high for very many years at the RAU - but the figures this year are particularly pleasing. Employers clearly find RAU graduates attractive, and long may this jobs record for Cirencester continue.’ The RAU, which was granted full university status in 2013, has continued to strengthen its reputation as a world renowned provider

of specialist education and research. It is at the forefront of education relating to agriculture, food, agri-business, equine, and property and land management. The RAU was ranked top in the UK last year for facilities spend, recognising its high investment and expenditure per student on staff and student facilities, including sports, careers services, health and welfare. The campus was also rated the safest in the South West (fifth safest in the UK) in 2013, and the university, which has a dedicated School of Business and Entrepreneurship, is in the top 10 universities in the UK for enterprise. The university has seen applications and enrolments rise year on year. The RAU currently has more than 1,200 students, from over 45 different countries, studying on one of its 30 undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses. For service leavers, funding for courses can be accessed from ELCAS. For more information please contact shelly.hampshire@rau.ac.uk on 01285 652531. Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

6 Dragoon House Hussar Court, Westside View Waterlooville Portsmouth PO7 7SF

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September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 53

PLAYING IT SAFE

Life as Army team leader served Chris well for new consultancy career

he Fire Protection Association (FPA) has been providing safety training for more than 40 years, offering about 70 courses in everything from fire safety management to fire safety engineering, and from risk assessment to the maintenance of detection systems. Opportunities to achieve well recognised qualifications in fire safety and access to professional membership are also available. A recent student, Chris Ricketts, told Equipped how his resettlement training with the FPA helped him find a new career.

served eight years and reached the dizzy heights of Lance Corporal in rank, serving most of my career as a team leader.

What was your military background?

What did your resettlement training involve?

I joined in 1999 as an infantry soldier. I 54 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

When you left the forces did you have any idea what you wanted to do?

No, but what I did know was that I needed a job that engaged my brain, offered different challenges and plenty of variety. The Army has a great resettlement programme and it was good that I knew I wanted to pick a career and a set of qualifications that would make me very employable.

For resettlement I completed the following:

■■ ILM Introductory Diploma in Management Level 5 ■■ NEBOSH Certificate ■■ IEMA Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management

My resettlement courses provided the foundation from which I have progressed to being a chartered health and safety practitioner. After leaving the forces I worked for West Midlands Police as a health and safety coordinator, where I essentially learned my trade as a safety professional. I completed the following courses as well:

■■ City & Guilds Level 4 NVQ in Occupational Health and Safety Practice ■■ Fire Risk Assessment ■■ Fire Risk Assessment and Fire Safety Management (with the Fire Protection

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»ELC

‘MY RESETTLEMENT COURSES PROVIDED THE FOUNDATION FROM WHICH I HAVE PROGRESSED TO BEING A CHARTERED HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTITIONER’ Association)

I now work for SKM Enviros as a health, safety and fire consultant. I have achieved my CMIOSH with IOSH, full member status with the International Institute of Risk & Safety Managers (MIIRSM), got accepted on to the government’s new safety consultants list (OSHCR register safety consultant) and achieved Technician Grade with the Institute of Fire Engineers.

What is your next career move?

I am happy as a consultant! I am currently completing the CFPA Europe Diploma in Fire Prevention with the FPA and will hopefully move on to the Advanced Diploma afterwards. I have no intention of moving Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

on at the minute as I work for a global company which is a fantastic employer and has helped finance my development and pushed me to be a better safety professional.

Do you have any advice for those in resettlement at the moment?

■■ Acquire a unique skill that makes you attractive in the job market. In my case it is my safety qualifications and my CMIOSH and Tech IFE grade with renowned safety institutions. ■■ Be flexible and work from the bottom up if necessary. I took a job as a safety professional with the police and the pay was awful. However, it served as my apprenticeship and allowed me to gain valuable experience in my field to progress

on to bigger and better things. ■■ Constantly develop through education and be open to new experiences. Apart from my resettlement courses, all of my other qualifications were done in my own time. Initially, it is hard work but the benefits are long-term and worth the effort. ■■ Be certain of what you want to do when you leave the forces! The Army is a great way of life and a respected job, don’t give it up lightly unless you are certain of the direction you want to take. There is an old Army saying: the ‘7Ps’ - Prior Proper Preparation Prevent a P*** Poor Performance. To find out what courses the FPA offer that can be used with ELCAS credits visit training@thefpa.co.uk September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 55

GET THE Training package is aimed at engineers from the armed forces programme that enables engineers from the armed forces to be trained, assessed and certificated to civilian standards has been created by Business Edge, in partnership with the MoD. To ensure that the training package was exactly what employers needed, it was presented at the development stage to members of the armed forces, resettlement officers and a range of potential employers. The result is a course that combines comprehensive training in both theoretical and practical skills. The theoretical training consists of:

■■ Fundamentals of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps; ■■ Thermodynamics; ■■ SI units of measurement; ■■ The vapour compression cycle; ■■ Major components; ■■ Ancillary components; ■■ Heat load calculations; ■■ Regulations and European standards.

The practical training consists of:

■■ Installation techniques for refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump systems (static and mobile); ■■ Pipework forming and jointing methods; ■■ Pressure strength and tightness with suitable inert gases (oxygen free nitrogen, hydrogen/nitrogen mixture); ■■ Evacuation and dehydration methods; ■■ Accurate charging of zeotropic and single refrigerants; ■■ Leak testing techniques in accordance with EC Reg 1516 (direct and indirect methods); ■■ Commissioning of systems; ■■ Preventative and general maintenance; ■■ Fault finding and diagnostics; ■■ Recovery of refrigerants.

The scheme that met the requirements included:

■■ F Gas Refrigerant Safe Handling, Category 1 Stationary (CSkills J11) ■■ F Gas Mobile Air Conditioning Systems (City and Guilds 7543) ■■ Pipework and Brazing (CSkills J05) ■■ Hydrocarbons - Design, Commissioning, Service & Maintenance (City & Guilds 6187) ■■ 17th Edition Wiring Regulations (City and 56 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

Guilds 2382)

This training programme is presented at Business Edge’s state of the art training facility near Portsmouth. The facility incorporates a modern lecture room, fitted out with many examples of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump systems and components. As the majority of the training and assessments are practically based, there are also three workshop facilities on-site. These incorporate a bespoke brazing workshop to enable the candidates to be trained in the correct method of jointing pipework, using oxy/fuel gas systems. Other units are fully equipped with working examples of domestic, commercial and industrial refrigeration systems, split and multi-split air conditioning systems, as well as air-air, air-water and ground source heat pump systems and automotive systems. This wide range of equipment allows the candidates to work on and experience a diverse range of products and applications. Since its inception, many engineers have successfully completed the training modules, and most of the attendees who have

this organisation, he seized upon an opportunity to join a major building services company. He is now the main refrigeration engineer for the NEC and LG Arena sites in Birmingham, with responsibility for supervising a team of engineers to look after many hundreds of cooling systems. This is just one of many success stories. The Business Edge training programme ensures that anyone who has served their time, or is made redundant from the forces, will be given every opportunity to find work in the industry. For further information visit www.businessedgeltd.co.uk

‘OUT OF 16 STUDENTS ON A RECENT COURSE, 15 ARE NOW WORKING IN THE REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND HEAT PUMP INDUSTRIES’ now left the armed forces have found employment. In fact, an audit has shown that out of 16 students on a recent course, 15 are now working in the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump industries. A graduate from one of the company’s first courses recently attended an F-Gas reassessment, as the qualification has a five-year life, and explained how he had progressed in that time. Having had a successful career in the Army, he wanted a complete change and was looking for a role in air conditioning and refrigeration. Following successful completion of the Business Edge course, he found a job with an air conditioning company in the Midlands. After gaining practical experience with Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

EDGE

ÂťELC

Patient instructors made job possible Case study: Mark Briggs As I was preparing to leave the Royal Marines after 12 years, I found a job not far from where I live. It involved working on air conditioning systems, so I searched online for companies that provided training for the F-Gas qualification, which was needed for the role. Business Edge offered just the course, which consisted of an introduction to air conditioning and refrigeration (including installation, commissioning and service engineering), brazing, F-Gas and 17th edition electrics. Due to my limited experience with electrics, I found this part of the course hard going to begin with, but the instructors showed great patience with me and one or two of the other lads, and we got through it and passed the 17th edition with no problems. After that, the course flowed well with good instruction throughout. The AC&R training culminated in a final practical assessment, which involved brazing a system and the recovery and re-charge of an air con unit. After the

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

last few days of training, I was fully prepared for the test and passed first time. The Business Edge facilities are of a high standard and I found the overall package well run and enjoyable. You are given some well produced hand-outs, which I still use now. After completing the course, I was able to gain employment with Liebherr Transportation Systems. I am part of a team that maintains the air conditioning systems on trains for many of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s railways. One of the points highlighted in my interview were the qualifications recently gained through Business Edge and the use I would make of them in my job. I am very pleased to have gone into as much depth as we did in the 17th edition electrics, as most of the problems on the units are electrical and when working on trains, electrical safety is of paramount importance within rail depots. I would recommend Business Edge to anyone interested in the refrigeration/air conditioning world.

September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 57

Looking for a career change? You can, with our ELCAS funded courses Undergraduate & Postgraduate Degrees These academic courses combine theoretical study, practical application and intensive work placements. Subjects range from archaeology to real estate, wildlife conservation to food supply chains, and equine to MBAs.

Certificate of Agriculture A practical one-year farming course for those looking to pursue or progress careers in agriculture. It is designed to equip students with the basic knowledge required for running contemporary farm enterprises. Open days are held throughout 2014. See our website for further details. Please contact us:

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Car that can do anything Range Rover Sport From £60,005

and Rover’s newgeneration Range Rover Sport aims to have almost as much comfort and space as a Range Rover, together with the kind of performance and handling you’d be more likely to find in an executive saloon

car. And it succeeds brilliantly. On the surface the Range Rover Sport appeals for its chiseled good looks and the detailed workmanship of its wood and leather clad interior, as well as the refined urge provided by some smooth and powerful engines. The most economical choice is a 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel with 292bhp,

60 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

but for more power you can go for one of the petrol V8s, either a 339bhp, 4.4-litre or a supercharged 5.0-litre with 510bhp. The supercharged engine is immense: flatten the accelerator pedal into the carpet, encouraging the eightspeed ZF automatic gearbox to slur down a couple of ratios, and that big V8 punts the

Range Rover Sport down the road like a sports car, all the while emitting a subdued but urgent burble. It’s also a surprisingly capable machine on a twisty road, cornering with remarkably little body roll despite its tall build. It feels far more precise and cohesive in its responses than the previous generation Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

ANDREW NOAKES

Extraordinarily capable machine boasts new level of precision, writes motoring editor Andrew Noakes

»Motoring

BIG V8

performs like a sports car

Range Rover Sport or the current Discovery, thanks largely to a different type of construction. The older cars have a truck-type separate chassis, and you can feel the chassis and body arguing about how to react as the suspension moves in a corner. The new car is based on an aluminium monocoque, which means the Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

structural members of the chassis are built into the body. As a result, the Range Rover Sport’s handling takes on a new level of tautness and precision. There’s a price to pay for all this, and it comes at the fuel pumps. Though the aluminium structure means the new Range Rover Sport is much lighter than the old car, it’s still a hefty

machine, weighing well over two tonnes – still much heavier than a BMW X5 or Porsche Cayenne. You’re unlikely to see much more than 20mpg in the supercharged V8 version, though the diesel will get into the 30s. But if the basic price of the Range Rover Sport doesn’t worry you then the fuel costs

probably won’t trouble you much either. What you will get for your money is an extraordinarily capable machine, which can cope with everything a family could need it to do, can leave most performance cars for dead in a straight line, and worry more than a few of them along a twisty road. It’s truly a car that can do anything.

September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 61

»Motoring

Arresting looks, inside and out

Character and panache set this Alfa apart Alfa Giulietta From £18,240

lfa Romeo’s Giulietta has arresting looks, with a bold Alfa grille and offset number plate at the front, hidden rear door handles, twin exhausts and signature curved rear lights. It’s the same story inside, with classy brushed metal finishes and unusual contrast colour options. Giuliettas are available with Alfa’s 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine, in two states of tune, and there are 1.6-litre and 2.0litre JTD turbo diesels. Our test car had a 2.0-litre, recently given 10bhp power boost to make a total of 148bhp. Like most turbo diesels, it does its best work in the mid rev range, pulling eagerly from low speed and minimising the need for gear changes. That’s just as

well, because if the centre arm rest is folded down you are likely to clout it with your elbow while changing gear. Alfa says the 2.0JTD Giulietta will hit 60mph from rest in 8.8 seconds, which is brisk enough to be entertaining but a few tenths behind the class best. It rides like a sporting car, too, with firm suspension that provides a taut feel in everyday driving but still delivers reasonable comfort. Press harder, though, and the Giulietta is less convincing. It lacks the precision and predictability of rivals, though an enthusiastic driver will enjoy the way the Alfa’s attitude in a corner can be adjusted using power. There are flaws in the Giulietta experience, but Alfa’s mid-sized model does have character and panache that set it apart from the rest.

62 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

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Are you specialist material?

Cash In Transit Driver / Guards

£10.02* per hour

*rising to £11.02 on completion of probationary period At Loomis, our focus is on delivering innovative services which safeguard businesses from the risks associated with transporting cash. Our Cash In Transit teams ensure the secure delivery and collection of cash for our customers transporting over £150 billion each year. We are always looking for reliable and security conscious people to join us as Driver / Guards.

have a CCJ (even settled CCJ’s are unacceptable) or a criminal record.

As part of the Loomis team you will work a 40 hour week with the added availability of overtime.

In return you’ll enjoy ongoing training, good rates of pay, paid holiday and entry to a NEST Pension Scheme.

The working pattern is any 4 or 5 days from Monday through to Sunday. Shifts have variable morning start times with afternoon / evening finishes. We require people who are good team players, understand customer service and have the ability to accurately follow rules and procedures. You will need to have a minimum of 4 years driving experience and possess a full UK driving licence preferably with a C1 class (7.5 tonne) category. All positions at Loomis are subject to a full 10 year checkable history. You need not apply if you

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To apply please ring our central recruitment hotline 0115 964 5144, where you will undertake a pre screening mini interview. If you are successful you will then be sent a full application pack together with details of the Company Vetting procedure. The hotline will be manned between the hours of 8.30 am and 5pm Monday to Friday inclusive. Outside those hours there will be an answer machine where you can leave your details and a member of the HR team will return your call.

September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 63

»Motoring Andrew and his BMW

Treading carefully Premium tyres so much better than budget rubber MW’s E46-series M3 is renowned as one of the besthandling cars of its era, but the 10-year-old example I bought last summer had less than perfect road manners. Even on a dry road it was unpredictable, and in the wet it was close to undriveable: at very pedestrian speeds the front tyres ran wide of the intended cornering line, while even the gentlest application of power had the traction control warning light flickering and the tail of the car wagging. The problem wasn’t the car itself, but the new tyres that had been fitted by the dealer. They were made by a Far Eastern brand so obscure that even tyre experts I asked had never heard of it, and they simply weren’t up to the job. Michelin suggested I replace

this dubious rubber with its Pilot Super Sport tyre, which incorporates technology from Michelin’s Le Mans racing car tyres. There was no doubting that they would be better, but I hadn’t realised just how substantial the difference was going to be. In the dry, the BMW instantly felt crisper and more precise to drive. There was more cornering grip, and when you finally tried hard enough to reach their limits, the Michelins were much more forgiving and controllable. On a wet road – anything from lightly moist to torrential rain – the difference was even more remarkable. The Michelin rubber doggedly held onto a cornering line, wheelspin out of tight corners was almost eliminated and heavy braking was far less likely to trigger the ABS.

64 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

Though premium rubber does cost more, the improvement in safety alone is enough to justify spending the extra. But if you need another reason, here it is: premium tyres might actually be cheaper in the long run. Private hire company Addison Lee is switching all its vehicles to Michelins because it found the higher initial cost was outweighed by longer tyre life. Premium tyres also tend

to have lower rolling resistance – which translates into better fuel economy. Tyres all look much the same, and some people seem to think any tyre will do as long as it is the right size. But my experience confirms what I’ve always thought: when it comes to the four small patches of rubber that are the only thing connecting you to the road, you get exactly what you pay for.

Tyre tips ■■ Tyre prices vary so shop around and try online suppliers – but beware of extra costs for fitting and disposal of your old tyres. ■■ All tyres are labelled with A to E ratings for fuel efficiency and wet grip. The label also

carries an official road noise figure. Use these ratings to get an idea of how different tyres compare. ■■ New tyres need time to bed in. Try to avoid harsh acceleration, cornering and braking for the first 200 miles

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

Small torque This month’s motoring news ■■ Bugatti is planning a successor to its 987bhp, 268mph Veyron – currently the world’s fastest production car. Like the current car, it will have a carbon fibre monocoque structure, but it is likely to feature a hybrid powertrain with 50 per cent more power than the Veyron, giving it a top speed of 286mph. ■■ Hyundai has unveiled its new i20 hatchback, ahead of its public debut at the Paris motor show in October. Styled and engineered in Germany, the new car is claimed to offer best-in-class rear legroom and boot space. ■■ The Goodwood Revival meeting in September will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jackie Stewart’s ‘discovery’, with three special parades of his old racing cars. Stewart – now Sir Jackie – was the Formula 1 world champion in 1969, 1971 and 1973 and won 27 Grands Prix, a record not beaten until 14 years after his retirement. He went on to establish his own Formula 1 team which ultimately became Red Bull Racing. ■■ The new-generation Audi TT has a ‘virtual cockpit’ – a 12.3-inch, high-resolution LCD display which replaces the conventional analogue instruments. The driver can choose from a ‘classic’ view with speedometer and rev counter to the fore, or an ‘infotainment’ mode, which gives more space to other functions such as the satnav map. The TT range starts at £29,770 with the 2.0 TDI ultra Sport model. ■■ Paper tax discs will not be needed from 1 October, but you still have to ensure your car is properly taxed as police will be using ANPR camera systems to detect untaxed vehicles. Sellers of used cars will need to inform the DVLA and will receive a refund for any months of tax left, and buyers will need to tax the car themselves. ■■ Land Rover’s Discovery Sport SUV, which replaces the Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

Sir Jackie Stewart

Audi’s virtual cockpit

Adaptable Discovery Sport

Safety in mind

Freelander later this year, will feature seven seats in three rows – making it even more adaptable. The Discovery Sport will be built at Halewood on Merseyside, and goes on sale in 2015. ■■ Sainsbury’s has been working with Mercedes-Benz to design a truck with pedestrian and cyclist safety in mind. The Mercedes-Benz Antos has a number of new safety features, including 360-degree video for the driver, proximity sensors, side guard panels, extra side lights and stickers to show the location of the driver’s blind spots. The trucks will first be used in London. ■■ Ford’s new EcoSport compact SUV is the first in the world to offer a 1.0-litre engine – the 125PS EcoBoost turbo unit which has proved so popular in other Ford models that it is now Europe’s biggest selling turbo engine. The EcoSport is one of the first Fords to offer AppLink, which enables drivers to voice control smartphone apps while keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Andrew Noakes has been writing about cars and motorsport for more than 15 years, and is the author of more than a dozen motoring books. Follow him on Twitter @AndrewNoakes.

September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 65

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»Books

Total war at its most brutal Author explodes myths about destruction of Dresden, writes Alan Cochrane The Bombing War (Europe 1939-45) by Richard Overy. 852pps. Penguin History. £12.99

few years ago my wife and I were in a Parisian restaurant that was, and probably still is, a ‘must’ for every tourist. As a result there wasn’t much room between the tables and I found myself sitting cheek to cheek with the bloke on the next table. He turned out to be, or so he said, a German diplomat, based in Paris. We chatted away quite amiably for about an hour and then, perhaps because he’d been at the vin rouge a bit longer than us, he suddenly got all aggressive. The old adage of ‘don’t mention the war’ when in the company of Germans was no good with this increasingly angry Mein Herr because that’s all he wanted to talk about. And, specifically, he wanted to berate us about what he said were the ‘British war crimes’ in bombing the hell out of so many German cities.

We gave back as good as we got but our pleasant evening was spoiled and we paid up and left. A few hours later our hotel was burned down and we had to be rescued from our fifth floor bedroom by les pompiers. To this day I’ve harboured the suspicion that our German friend may have had something to do with that fire. Now what’s all of this got to do with Richard Overy’s ‘The Bombing War’? Just this: Overy explodes some of the myths that we Brits still cherish about the role our bombers played in the Second World War. In no way do I think this magisterial work backs up my German friend’s accusations, and I believe one hundred per cent that the Bomber Command memorial in Green Park was long overdue. But make no mistake, the bombing campaign waged against Germany by the Royal Air Force was total war at its most brutal. And if the Lancasters, Halifaxes and Stirlings didn’t specifically target the civilian population per

General interest

se, their death and destruction was seen as an entirely proper objective of war. Overy charts the history of the war time campaign from the days when the bombers couldn’t find entire cities – charting one example when even the wrong country, Denmark, was hit – to the saturation attacks that laid waste to a host of targets including Hamburg and, most controversial of all, Dresden. And the fire-storms that destroyed these famous places were no accident, either, as both the British and American air forces experimented with mixtures of different types of incendiary and high explosive bombs to create just the conditions that would bring about huge conflagrations and massive death tolls. This is a remarkable

Continuing our guest slot in which military leaders reveal their media preferences. This month – PAUL HARKNESS in Kabul and deputy chief of the Iraqi Security Forces in Basra. He was commissioned into the Queen’s Own Highlanders in 1987 and has also served in Bosnia, Northern Ireland and Cyprus. He was awarded an MBE for his work on the planning and execution of the invasion of Iraq.

Brigadier Paul Harkness, Commander 51st Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Scotland, was chief of operations at the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force headquarters Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

book, both in its detail and the demands it makes of the reader. It spells out graphically the pains taken by the British and American planners and air force chiefs to cause as much destruction to Germany as they possibly could and it shields us from none of the consequences. Overy quotes Winston Churchill’s letter to Beaverbrook in 1940 in which he said that the best way to beat Hitler was ‘… absolutely devastating exterminating attacks by very heavy bombers from this country upon the Nazi homeland’ and says it is sometimes used to prove that the bombing did have a ‘genocidal purpose’. The author, however, insists that a better explanation was that his language expressed the war leader’s fervent hope that bombing was one possible means of averting Hitler’s invasion plans or even to dislocate the entire German war effort decisively. History will argue this one forever.

Favourite military book

‘Storm of Steel’ by Ernst Junger is a must, especially for all infantry officers. Any of Max Hastings’ military histories, while David Kilcullen is key for

contemporary understanding. His latest book – ‘Out of the Mountains: The Coming Age of the Urban Guerrilla’ - signposts the future, for which we need to be prepared. Newspapers/magazines

The Times online is the first read of the day, followed by a check of the BBC’s online news. With the Brigade’s Middle East focus for defence engagement, al Jazeera provides the best overview. Best TV and radio

Shaving, breakfast and the

drive to work are accompanied by Radio 4’s Today programme; only if it gets excruciatingly dull does Chris Evans get a look in. My favourite film

Anything with a discernible plot that has a beginning, middle and an end will do. Anything with Naomi Watts, Meg Ryan or Charlize Theron is excused from having a plot. My music

Huge range: Mozart for inspiration and working to, with The Who, Queen and Pink Floyd for relaxation.

September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 67

»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

68 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

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

• • • • •

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

or Receives advice on tched job notification of ma opportunities

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 Consultant supports ss and monitors progre

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 September/October 2014 | EQUIPPED | 69

»PubSpy

Our man gets more for his money in sunny Manchester SINCLAIR’S OYSTER BAR,

2 Cathedral Approach, Manchester M3 1SW: 0161 834 0430

anchester prides itself on being the Capital of the North and thoroughly deserves the title. To a Scot, like your author, it is much more ‘real’ England than the megapolis of London, which has become an awesome juggernaut nowadays, more a city of the world than of the UK. And Manchester has oodles going for it; two fantastic football teams – no favouritism here – an amazing shopping centre that was transformed courtesy of an IRA bomb, a world famous music school and, not least, proper pubs. Two of the best are right slap bang in the middle of town, cheek by jowl to the Cathedral (oh yes, I forgot that) and it is astonishing that every time I’ve frequented one or the other the sun has been beating down, and a short-sleeved and summer-frocked crowd have been congregated outside at pavement tables. I’ve already reviewed The Old Wellington (Equipped passim) so when last in town I tried Sinclair’s Oyster Bar. It is so next door to the former that it’s difficult to tell where one lot of boozers end and the other begins. The pub has been going since 1720 - but has only been in its current position since 1996 when, together with The Old Wellington, it was moved brick by brick 300 yards up the road as a result of town centre regeneration after the city’s bombing. Now it sits on its own little square, The Shambles, the main part of which is taken up by an expansive seating area serving both Sinclair’s and the Wellington, where young professionals, students

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PUB? If you would like to review a pub in your region (be it Britain or abroad), please contact the editor (jenny. hjul@equippedmedia.co.uk). All contributions (within reason) will be published.

and others in the know take advantage of the great setting and cheap drinks. There is always a drawback with pubs having large outdoor drinking areas – plastic pint pots. It really doesn’t taste the same out of these horrible vessels. However, the big advantage with Sinclair’s is the price and the quality of the beer. It is a Sam Smith’s house and on entering the low ceilinged bar you really are taken aback by the huge array of draught beers on offer. I’m sure I counted sixteen, or was it seventeen? And for those who

70 | EQUIPPED | September/October 2014

like that sort of thing, there appeared to be no end of ‘Taddy’ – after Tadcaster, home of the brewery - lager on tap. But talking of counting, the other thing I counted was my change; I couldn’t believe how much I got from my fiver. My pint of Old Brewery Bitter was only around £2.50 (arithmetic has never been my strong suit) which compares, in my experience, to well over a pound more for similar beers in London or Edinburgh (why is the Scottish capital so expensive, by the way?). Sadly, there was no food on offer on the early Sunday even-

ing I dropped in but, from other reviews I’ve read, it is decent, and decently priced, pub fare with, of course, oysters. I’m determined to return on a cold wet midweek day to see how it copes because on my visit there was nobody standing at the long bar – everyone was outside in the sun – and there was no waiting to be served. It’s magnificently fitted out – all dark wood and cosy little corners; everything an 18th century hostelry, albeit one that upped sticks and moved in the 20th, should be.

CFA

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

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