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Hello! »Welcome

ALL YOU NEED

WELCOME TO OUR JANUARY ISSUE

THE ARMED FORCES RESETTLEMENT MAGAZINE

he New Year is a time of looking forward to what lies ahead. Here at Equipped we’re excited to announce that for 2015, we’ll be publishing twice as frequently. Starting with this issue, you’ll be able to enjoy a new, advicefilled edition of Equipped every month! In this issue, we are thrilled have a new expert advice column from straight-talking Alex Cooper whose practical tips will help you prepare for career change with realistic expectations. One of our most popular contributors Melanie Pullan is back sharing her advice for coping with stress. We have tops for preparing your CV, including translating your military achievements into civvyspeak. There’s job hunting advice for military spouses. We’ve created a handy guide to help you navigate the ELC process - feel free to save or bookmark this issue for future reference. Finally, don’t miss our interview with IED survivor Andy Reid whose fighting spirit led to successful careers as a motivational speaker and pub landlord. Our whole office was buzzing from his inspiring story!

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SHARES HIS INSPIRING STORY

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3 MUST READS

1 WALKING WITH COURAGE We meet triple-amputee IED survivor turned motivational speaker Andy Reid. Page 34

2 OFFSHORE TRAINING EVENT Rope work, water survival and metal testing at AIS’s open day. Page 52

3 CV ASSISTANCE Essential skills for job applications provided by our experts. Page 18

COVER IMAGE: ABF THE SOLDIERS CHARITY

Happy New Year! The Equipped Team

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» JANUARY 2015 34

CONTENTS

JOBS AVAILABLE WITH... RAF RESERVES PAGE 2 BTP PAGE 15 ARMY PAGE 72 Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

Inside

This issue 6

BULLETIN News and social media jobs 14 FINANCE A path in financial services 16 MELANIE PULLAN Balance stress with recovery 18 CV ASSISTANCE Learn to speak ‘civvy’ 22 RAF FOCUS Incentives for reservists 24 MILITARY SPOUSES Support for Forces husbands and wives 26 BFRS At your service 28 RFEA Helping veterans in custody 30 OUR PARTNERS First aid with Nuco Training 34 ON THE COVER Meet Andy Reid 36 TRANSPORT Drivers in demand 42 CONSTRUCTION Build your transition 46 HORTICULTURE Back to nature 51 MARITIME & OFFSHORE Naval and offshore jobs 56 ELCS How to claim 60 MOTORING With Andrew Noakes 67 COMPETITION Win a holiday 68 FACT FILE More situations vacant 70 LETTERS Have your say, plus ask the experts

SHUTTERSTOCK / THE SUN

CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE DOUGIE EAGLESHAM Veteran and consultant shows you how to translate military achievements into civvy-speak Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

MELANIE PULLAN As an organisational psychologist, Melanie helps people in career transition overcome barriers to success

ANDREW NOAKES Our motoring editor test-drives the A5 Ultra, Audi’s most efficient diesel model January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 5

»Bulletin

NEWS » SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING » CHILDCARE AND VETERANS’ HOUSING » UK-FRANCE ALLIANCE » KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL » ROYAL NAVY UPDATES

6 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

£270M ROYAL NAVY TORPEDO UPGRADE SUSTAINS HUNDREDS OF UK JOBS The MOD has awarded a £270M contract to upgrade the Royal Navy’s Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes which will sustain hundreds of jobs in the UK and create 40 new skilled engineering roles. The deal with BAE Systems will ensure that the UK torpedo continues to be manufactured at its Broad Oak facility in Portsmouth for another 10 years.

The Spearfish programme supports 60 jobs in Portsmouth where the torpedo is designed and manufactured with an additional 40 new skilled engineering vacancies being recruited to work on the programme by BAE Systems. The company also estimates that hundreds of jobs will be sustained in the company’s supply chain. This year the MOD has already

awarded BAE Systems a £600 million contract to run Portsmouth Naval Base and a £70 million Type 45 destroyer support contract that combined sustains more than 2,000 jobs in the Portsmouth region, including skilled engineering roles. The Spearfish Upgrade includes a new warhead, a change to the fuel system to improve safety, full digitisation of the weapon and a new fibre

optic guidance link to improve performance. They are carried by the Royal Navy’s Astute, Vanguard and Trafalgar Class submarines and can target both underwater and surface threats. Once the torpedo has been fired Spearfish hones in on its target using sonar and will be controlled by the submarine after launch via the new fibre optic link.

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January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 7

Ever considered a career Tweeting?

ith the onward march of social media into virtually every aspect of modern life, new jobs are arising to cater for companies’ needs for technologically-savvy individuals to promote their services via platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and blogs. Social media marketing is a unique blend of IT and marketing skills. IT skills are needed to use the tools, create images and measure results; marketing skills are required to use the right combination of channels for a business, craft interesting and relevant messages, and create an appropriate tone and voice. Social media gives consum-

FACTOID

£1.8 billion

MoD investment to recruit 30,000 new reservists

ers a unique opportunity to communicate directly with brands – and businesses need to be prepared to both listen and respond. However, many business owners and managers do not have the in-house knowledge to use social media and are turning to bringing in skills from outside. There are currently 2000 social media jobs advertised on LinkedIn alone.

To fill the skills gap, many training companies are adding social media marketing as specific courses. Mary Thomas, a trainer from Concise Training, said: ‘If someone is interested in social media marketing as a career, I would recommend that they start by first using the channels to make sure they enjoy this method of interaction. The next step would be to

take a course, followed by amassing some evidence of social media experience to show to potential employers.’ Trainers such as Concise Training are now even able to offer courses funded by ELCAS and distance learning City & Guilds qualifications. For more information visit www.concisetraining.net

MOD invests £11 million into childcare improvements and veterans’ accommodation More than £11 million will be spent on improving overseas childcare infrastructure for Service families and creating an accommodation pathway for veterans in the UK. The Prime Minister announced today that £8.5m has been awarded to the Aldershot Veterans Accommodation Pathway to provide 85 units of temporary, supported and independent accommodation in and around the town. Approximately 275 vulnerable and wounded injured or sick ex-Service personnel from across the country will benefit each year. At the same time almost £3 million will be spent on a

8 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

childcare project in Cyprus. Akrotiri First Steps at the RAF base in Akrotiri is the first project in the world to receive money from a £20m fund, made available to improve the childcare offered to families of serving personnel. The new purpose-built facility is expected to cater for more than 100 children every year. Staff will also have the specialist skills and knowledge to help children who may move regularly to make sure their development isn’t affected. The accommodation pathway will include a range of accommodation to suit the needs of the veteran and ultimately enable them to return

to homes in the community. The 25-unit hostel, in the form of Mike Jackson House, will benefit about 200 veterans per year, giving help with training, education, money management, health and wellbeing and housing need. Supported accommodation will be provided in an impressive new development on the ‘Christmas Lodge’ site

while a range of independent housing options will be provided by acquiring 25 family and single units. The money will come from a one-off £40m Veterans Accommodation Fund, provided by Libor fines levied on banks, while the childcare improvements will be funded from another £20m Libor pot announced last year.

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»News NEWS IN BRIEF

HMS Defender

UK and France support contract to maintain their A400M transporter fleet

he first common inservice support (ISS) contract has been awarded for the initial maintenance and support of the A400M Atlas military aircraft. The contract has been awarded to Airbus Defence and Space (ADS) by the British MOD’s procurement agency, DE&S, and the French Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) through OCCAR. The contract covers all lines of maintenance and includes the implementation of spare parts pooling, as well as the establishment of maintenance engineering services to the benefit of both Air Forces. Defence Minister Philip Dunne said: ‘The signature of this joint contract for the support of the A400M Atlas fleet is the achievement of successful British-French discussions over a number of years, and is an important milestone of increasing mutual collaboration at the heart of agreements made under the Lancaster House Treaty for defence and security cooperation. ‘The joint support contract is another example of

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cooperation across a truly multinational programme that will see 170 A400M aircraft delivered to seven partner nations over the coming years.’ The Délégué général pour l’armement Laurent ColletBillon added: ‘The intention is to further expand on early collaboration activities where feasible and value for money in support activities areas. This newly signed joint contract demonstrates added value under the French and British leadership for a common approach for in-service support and paves the way for possibly our A400M partners to move forward that way.’ To date, Airbus Defence and Space has delivered the seven first serial A400M aircrafts among the 170 which have been ordered by the 7 partner nations: Belgium, France, Germany, Luxemburg, Spain, United Kingdom and Turkey. Five aircrafts have been delivered so far to France. The UK’s first A400M Atlas was officially unveiled by the MOD on 27 November 2014 at RAF Brize Norton.

SHIP BACK FROM GULF HMS Defender returned to her home in Portsmouth on 12 December after more than six months deployed on high-intensity operations in the Northern Gulf. The ship has spent part of her deployment supporting the US-led Carrier Task Group and her F18s conducting strikes in the fight against ISIL. Hundreds of friends and family welcomed the ship back home, joined by Portsmouth Military Wives Choir and the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth. COLLABORATION Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and his German counterpart Dr Ursula von der Leyen have met to discuss shared security challenges. Talks focused on how to best

implement the measures agreed at the 2014 NATO Summit in Wales, the situation in Ukraine, the future of Afghanistan and the threat posed by ISIL. Before the talks Dr von der Leyen inspected a Guard of Honour on Horse Guards Parade. The UK and Germany have a longstanding and close defence relationship, working closely together within NATO. The Ministers agreed that the UK and Germany should continue to develop and deepen their defence cooperation. BUSTING SMUGGLERS The Royal Navy’s drugbusting warship HMS Argyll has dealt another blow to the drugs trade in the North Atlantic. The frigate has been deployed for six months and the final nine weeks of this have been spent on highly successful counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean. In total the crew have recovered nearly 1,900 kilos – or £77m – of cocaine in four highly-charged seizures at sea. SHARE YOUR NEWS If you want to use this space in future editions of equipped for any news stories, announcements or events that you thin worth sharing, please contact the editor (editor@ equippedmedia.co.uk) Drug busting warship

January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 9

»News

Dover Castle church service and ceremony marks the closure of Army’s South East Brigade

service to mark the closure of 2 (South East) Brigade took place in the Garrison Church of St Mary in Castro amid the towering surroundings of Dover Castle on Thursday 4th December. As part of the restructuring of the Army under the Army 2020 announcements 2 (South East) Brigade with its headquarters at Sir John Moore Barracks in Shorncliffe merges with its neighbouring regional formation to become 11 Infantry Brigade – one of the new Adaptable Brigades. The service also saw the official handing over by the Army’s Chaplain General of St

Mary in Castro as a Garrison Church to the Bishop of Dover who accepted it on behalf of the Dover Diocese. Remarkably, the church has served the military for a staggering 1400 years with its origins back in Roman Britain. The service and ceremony was attended by Lord Lieutenants, High Sheriffs, Generals, Chief Constables and elected members of County and Borough Councils. Marking the ‘Removal from the Order of Battle’ (military parlance for being placed in suspended animation) will be the Brigade’s outgoing Commander, Brigadier Christopher Claydon

Korean War memorial unveiled in London

new memorial to the conflict often dubbed ‘the forgotten war’ was unveiled in December at a ceremony in central London. The Korean War Memorial, a gift from the Republic of Korea (ROK) to honour the British troops that served between 1950 and 1953, is in the form of a bronze statue of a British soldier by sculptor Philip Jackson. It has involved the British Korean Veterans Association, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in London and the Korean Ministry of Patriots’ and Veterans’ Affairs as well as The Lady R Foundation and the British Government. Over 500 guests, including 320 veterans, watched HRH the Duke of Gloucester lead a ceremony of commemoration alongside Defence Secretary, the Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP, and the Republic of Korea’s Minister

10 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

of Foreign Affairs, Mr Yun Byung-se. The Defence Secretary said: ‘We must never allow the notion of a “forgotten war” to take hold. Where Britain’s Armed Forces put their lives on the line for their country, this must be commemorated, and in the right way. The Korean War was the first ever UN action against aggression, and so has enormous international significance. We will never forget the sacrifices made by our soldiers – losing their lives, sustaining injuries or becoming prisoners of war. ‘I am therefore grateful to the government of the Republic of Korea for contributing such an impressive Memorial. It is fitting that, in the year we mark the centenary of World War I, we also remember those British soldiers who were deployed over 30 years later to ensure the freedom of millions of people in Korea and beyond.’

who, along with the senior attending Army Officer, The Chaplain General and the Bishop of Dover, made an

address during the service. A commemorative plaque marking this significant occasion was also unveiled.

Around 82,000 British service personnel were deployed during the Korean War, with over 1000 of them losing their lives. Most of the British dead are buried in the UN Memorial Cemetery outside Busan in the Republic of Korea. The unveiling ceremony was arranged by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in London. Members of the Embassy attended the unveiling, together with Mr Yun Byung-se and representatives from the UK’s Ministry of Defence and Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Foreign Office Minister, the Rt Hon Hugo Swire MP said: ‘It is absolutely right that veterans of the Korean War now, finally, have a permanent memorial in our

capital city, and I am proud to be able to honour their memory. ‘Our diplomatic relations with the Korean Peninsula go back over 130 years. But it was through the experiences of this war that the UK and Republic of Korea forged a truly profound friendship that still endures to this day. ‘Fittingly, on the day on which we unveil the memorial, we are taking the relationship to a new level with the first ever ministerial UK-ROK Strategic Dialogue, hosted by the Foreign Secretary. As well as being an economic powerhouse in Asia, the Republic of Korea is an important partner for the UK on many key global issues, and we look forward to ever closer cooperation.’

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

»Expert Advice

ALEX COOPER

or those of you still serving or already in resettlement can I let you into a little known secret? Civilian employers won’t automatically rate your experiences and hard won skills as much as you might wish. I know that that statement flies against popular dogma that servicemen and women have a raft of transferrable skills and that employers find them to be exemplary employees, but nevertheless it is true (later in this issue, Dougie Eaglesham shares tips on translating your CV into civvy speak for exactly this reason). The simple fact is that, due to the small size, geographic isolation and limited visibility of what the Armed Forces do for a living, your skills and abilities are not well understood by most of the population of the UK. This includes your potential future employer, and what is unknown is not instinctively trusted. It is a sad fact that, due to lack of timely preparation, many service leavers will take an initial drop in pay and may pass through several jobs before finding their feet and progressing in accordance with their potential and work ethos.

So what does this mean to you?

I know you are busy, you may work long hours and those in pinch point trades may be committed frequently to operations and exercises. However, even when deployed (for the most part), you are the best connected and information resourced generation ever, because of wide access to online resources. There is an entire community of interest groups, educational organisations and businesses set up to help you prepare for your next career; they know what you need (and what you have to spend) and they are online, now. Also, be honest, many of you have more time off than Rambo’s safety catch. You have all the tools

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DON’T PUT OFF ‘TIL TOMORROW WHAT CAN BE DONE TODAY Be proactive about transition

you need to shorten or even dispense with that two year interruption to your career progress, so make yourself marketable while you are still in paid employment and can prepare for it at relative leisure.

Three steps:

First, get to know yourself. Don’t assume that what you do in uniform is what you are tied to when you leave. Give thought to where you want to live and your preferred work environment. If you have a passion, it’s easier to develop that into a marketable skill than resign yourself to continuing to do what you have always done. The earlier you start this process the sooner it will be refined enough to think about gaining qualifications or getting accreditation for what you already have under your belt. 1

Secondly, develop yourself. It will take time, effort and money (you may be able to use Standard or Enhanced Learning Credits) but it is an investment in your future. Having decided where you want to be and the sector you want to work in (make sure that the latter is represented in the former), find out what skills and qualifications are required and start developing them. You wouldn’t commit to a military operation without completing an estimate and plan and resourcing it first, so don’t do the ‘7 clicks to freedom’ without making sure that you will have a manageable step into civilian life and not off a cliff edge. 2

Thirdly, network. I know that most military people view networking as a bit distasteful and something that self-promoters do. Well it’s how you’ll get a job. Most jobs 3

are filled by someone known to the employer, so get a suitable* LinkedIn profile, join useful and relevant organisations, make yourself useful and get visible. You can apply for a hundred jobs and get nowhere because ‘computer says no’, but if someone you know rates you enough to recommend you to a third party, then you may well get an interview with someone who is already expecting good things from you. If you have done step 2 properly, you’ll have identified likely employers in your chosen area – write to the MD by name and ask for a meeting when you’re on leave; you may be surprised at how successful a personal approach can be. You may just get advice, you might be lucky and get a work placement, but, for certain, when you are looking for work you will have increased your chances of getting to interview massively. Transition is all about change and, to coin a phrase, change is difficult and painful, but irrelevance is worse. You need to take charge of your future and use the tools you have developed during your service career to give yourself the best chance of a successful transition. You may not leave at a time of your choosing, and if you wait too long, you may find yourself reacting to circumstance and grabbing for jobs and courses without clear direction. Take the time and make the effort while the pressure is off, there is plenty of help and advice available to you. *not a picture of you with a machine gun and lists of military courses and TLAs Alex Cooper spent a middling career in the Infantry and had a great time, but wishes he had known what he now knows personal development, transition and resettlement and done something about it. On leaving he was the lead researcher and cowriter of the Veterans’ Transition Review January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 11

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»Finance

INTERVIEW

he finance industry may not seem like the most obvious choice of career path for someone leaving the military. Here at Equipped, we wanted to take a look into the world of finance and find out exactly what it can offer service-leavers. Contributor Ray Jackson spoke to Ben Obese-Jecty, Senior Associate and Project Manager, Global Fund Services at J.P. Morgan to get the inside scoop. Ben joined J.P. Morgan in 2012 as a consultant, which was converted to a permanent role six months later. He spent nine years in the British Army as a 3YORKS infantry officer in regimental duty and staff appointments. Within J.P. Morgan he is a project manager in the Global Fund Services project management office. Ben also leads the digital communications and marketing for J.P. Morgan’s ex-military recruitment with Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Ben, can you tell me why this is a viable option and the kinds of roles people generally end up in? Q

The path from the Armed Forces to financial services is an increasingly well-trodden one, and as organisations begin to see the value that service-leavers can add, so the quantity of opportunities available increases. J.P. Morgan is now entering its fifth year of offering an ex-military internship programme, and each successive year has grown in size as the scheme has gained wider exposure with those successfully moving into fulltime roles upon its completion showcasing the quality of the applicants coming through. It is a viable option for any academically-astute individual wishing to transition into a rewarding and engaging new career that can offer many of 14 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

Find the right financial path Ben Obese-Jecty on making a career in financial services

the leadership, management and analytical challenges that their previous career as a sailor, soldier or airman has.

commissioned or noncommissioned officer also provide a vital skill that is much sought after.

What skills gained from the Forces would translate well into finance? What would you say are the key attributes?

What would you say are best ways to get involved in this industry – what advice would you give to someone interested?

There are myriad skills that make service-leavers attractive to employers within financial services. The military core values are an excellent guide to why we are highly valued: moral courage, self-discipline, respect for others, integrity, loyalty and selfless commitment. In addition to this, the leadership and management skills honed by time as a

For those with an interest in the financial services industry we would recommend conducting detailed research into areas where they may feel their current skill-set is applicable; spend time building a network and investigating which organisations will provide you with the environment most conducive to facilitating a successful transition.

What if a person feels daunted by the prospect of finance? What kind of support and training is available? What kind of support do you offer and how intensive is the training? Q

Those entering the financial services industry are well prepared to face the challenges of embarking on a new career path. They will often have had to beat fierce competition either from their peers or from applicants within the financial industry with a distinct knowledge advantage, and so expectations are managed from the outset. Many applicants will have embarked upon recognised professional finance qualifications upon deciding to transition into the financial services industry and so it would not be expected to see applicants with reservations.

Can you tell me more about the events you host and what people can expect to get from them? Q

In the last month J.P. Morgan has held two Insight events in order to enable those transitioning from the Armed Forces to establish a basic grounding in the world of financial services and understand routes into J.P. Morgan. Our recent events saw over 200 service-leavers attend where we were able to deliver a series of briefings and allow them the opportunity to network with our own ex-military employees who have already successfully made the transition into the bank. For further information about the opportunities available and upcoming events, please email exmilitary.recruitment. emea@jpmorgan.com Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

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»Personal development

MELANIE PULLAN

anuary is typically a time for renewal – a new year, and promises to ourselves that we will do better. But we all know that few New Year’s resolutions make it to the end of January! However, if we want to be ‘armed’ to really cope with the challenges of the coming 12 months we should think about how we are going to protect ourselves from life’s stresses and strains. How are we going to be more resilient in an uncertain world where change is fast-paced? Researchers (Loehr et al.) started looking at the concept of resilience for the corporate executive, and found that the training principles used by athletes to achieve their optimum performance could be applied in the workplace. I think they can be applied more broadly than that, and we can all use them in our daily lives. These principles have to do with our ‘secondary’ skills. Rather than our technical or professional abilities, they are the ‘soft’ skills: endurance, strengths, flexibility, self-control, and focus. We can of course perform without these skills, but often at a cost – to our health and to our families. If we can strengthen these skills we can ignite our full potential. Think about an athlete’s training regimen. In order to build physical strength and endurance, their routine

New Year’s resolutions Balancing stress with recovery

oscillates between stress and recovery. They stress the muscles almost to breaking point and then in the recovery phase the muscles repair and strengthen. Loehr and his colleagues argue that this applies to us in a more holistic way. If we can oscillate between stress and recovery in other facets of our lives we will also become stronger and better able to manage our inner state. Without the recovery the stress leads to burnout. So, what does this mean in practical terms?

Loehr says that we need to pay attention to four levels of energy, each of which influences the other. These energies are the physical (the body which is the source of physical energy), the emotional (our internal climate), the mental (our capacity to think clearly), and the spiritual (our values and sense of purpose). To develop capacity at each level we need to create a routine of rituals that allow the stress to be balanced by a period of recovery. So, every 90 to 120 minutes we need to take a short break and do something differ-

Connection with our sense of purpose - a powerful source of determination, motivationand endurance

ent. In Loehr’s research he has talks about corporate athletes who have experienced a huge difference by introducing a 90-minute ‘alarm’ to have a piece of fruit or drink water; by stopping for 10 minutes on the way home to reconnect with what’s really important to them; by making time for a 30-minute workout a few times a week. They have found that those people have more energy, are better able to manage their emotions, can think more clearly, and are more motivated by a renewed connection to what really matters in their lives. We can all incorporate a few changes like this. We can find ways of creating recovery time that will protect us from the stress. We could take more physical activity. We could be alert to our emotions and find techniques to calm us. We could take breaks from using our left brain to allow our right brain to do its magic. And of course we can make space to get back in touch with our real purpose in life. BUT most importantly, our recovery rituals need to work for us and not be too intrusive or – as with most New Year’s resolutions – they will not survive! Melanie is an organisational psychologist and qualified executive coach. Her website can be found at: www.melaniepullan.co.uk

Spiritual

The ability to focus on the task at hand

Mental

An emotional climate that allows us to perform rather than derail

Emotional

Physical endurance to promote mental and emotional recovery

16 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

Physical Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

Never-ending support for our soldiers. Since 1944.

A grant towards a rent deposit can bring a soldier in from today’s ‘No Man’s Land’. Some former soldiers can have great difficulty securing a place to live. They may have a low credit score after years spent moving from place to place or struggle with affording property in a challenging housing market. Lack of funds can place the all-important rent deposit out of reach. Supporters like you enable us to give grants that literally open doors for these soldiers, giving them the deposit they need to get out of No Man’s Land. The impact of these grants was lifechanging for Jason in Perthshire. He served in the Royal Army Medical Corps until an injury led to a medical discharge. He now works two jobs to help make ends meet. He had nowhere to live and was staying with friends for a time. Now, thanks to a grant for a rent deposit from The Soldiers’ Charity, Jason has finally managed to secure his own flat.

ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is a registered charity in England and Wales (1146420) and Scotland (039189). Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (07974609). Registered Office: Mountbarrow House 6-20 Elizabeth Street London SW1W 9RB Tel: 020 7901 8900 Email: fundraising@soldierscharity.org

Transform your CV

As HR manager and specialist recruiter for a top financial services firm, Sian Richardson hired and fired people at all levels. Now running her own business, Career Master 4 Military, providing career transition advice exclusively for the Armed Forces community, Sian shares with you her top ten CV tips to help you land your ideal role on Civvy Street... uman resources departments spend an average of 30 seconds looking at each CV. With such a short time frame, your CV needs to say the right things about you, fast. Here’s how to make every second count...

Presentation, presentation, presentation! 1

Nobody wants to read a messy document or one which is too wordy. Keep it neat, clean and 18 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

clear so that key information stands out on the page.

Mind your 2 language

A boring, runof-the-mill CV with the same old clichés is unlikely to spike anybody’s interest in you. Make an impact with powerful action verbs to show how you used skills and achieved results.

Watch your spelling

Check spelling and grammar, and don’t rely entirely on spellcheck: it doesn’t always pick up errors, and even occasionally ‘corrects’ grammar that was fine to begin with! Read through your CV thoroughly or get a colleague or friend to check it. Errors will

probably mean it ends up in the shredder – but a well-written CV gets noticed. 4

Tell me a story

Keywords

But not your life story! Good structure is critical. Tell the story of why you are their ideal candidate and how you meet the requirements of the role. Show that you have the skills they are looking for and demonstrate how you used them and what you achieved. Check out the job vacancy

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

»CV assistance Quantify the results with lots of lovely numbers if possible.

Hobbies and interests

Keep it short! Yes, we know you’re passionate about spending your weekends hang-gliding in Wales or playing cricket, rugby, football, golf etc., but we don’t need two paragraphs about it. If you want to include hobbies in your CV, try to list them across one line and save the space to promote your skills and experience.

Content 8

Keep it relevant! Tell them what they want to know, not necessarily what you want to tell them. You may have a million skills and be able to write 20 pages about your career to date, but nobody will read it. It’s better to write two or three pages showing your relevant experience in order to get noticed.

If you’re not sure how your CV would stand up under the beady eyes of a recruiter or hiring manager, don’t panic – Sian is pleased to offer Equipped readers with a free CV health-check. Just visit careermaster4military.co.uk and click on ‘Free CV HealthCheck’. Or, if you’d like a chat about how Career Master 4 Military can help you, call 07715 302312.

References available on request 9

Well of course they will be! It goes without saying, so don’t waste space saying it. Instead, use the space to sell your skills.

Sian Richardson

Founder & Career Transition Expert, Career Master 4 Military

“EVERYBODY HAS TRANSFERABLE SKILLS. IF YOU WERE A LOGISTICS MANAGER IN THE MILITARY, YOU ARE HIGHLY LIKELY TO HAVE THE SAME JOBRELATED SKILLS AS YOUR COUNTERPARTS ON CIVVY STREET – SO SHOW THEM CLEARLY ON YOUR CV.” or job description for keywords and include these in your CV to get it noticed. Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

Transferable skills

Everybody has them! If you were a logistics manager in the military, you are highly likely to have the same job-related skill-set as your counterparts on Civvy Street, so show them on your CV. Give a quick snapshot of what you have to offer and clearly show you have the skills they are looking for. 7

Sian is a former military spouse with firsthand experience of military-to-civilian career transition. Before establishing Career Master 4 Military, Sian spent 20 years with a FTSE 100 company and left after being headhunted by the chairman of a national financial services organisation to manage his UK operation. Having managed HR and trained as a specialist recruiter, Sian has hired and fired personnel at all levels. Following the economic downturn, Sian opted for redundancy in November 2010 and decided to do what she loved and use her HR, recruitment, writing and coaching skills to help people back into the workplace. A year later, Career Master 4 Military was born and since then Sian has helped thousands of veterans, service

leavers and their spouses to navigate the jobs market and secure their next position. Sian knows exactly how to help people at all levels through their career transition journey. Having read, reviewed and written thousands of CVs and cover letters over the years, she is clear about what a great CV looks like, how to shine when it comes to interviews, and how to navigate the jobs market. If you are struggling to decide on your next career move, if marketing your skills and experience doesn’t come naturally and you’re getting nowhere fast writing your CV, or even if you just need some confidence to nail that interview, contact Sian and the team today to see how they can help. Email: MyCV@ careermaster-cvs.co.uk

Achievements

A fantastic way to showcase your strengths is by adding your key achievements. January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 19

Lost in translation

Communicating your military achievements in civvy-speak By Dougie Eaglesham, Practice Lead at Solvings Ltd service leavers underestimate t is often said that the relative sophistication or one of the greatest complexity of the jobs and challenges for anytasks that they have been body leaving the involved with throughout their Forces, regardless career. Therefore, they underof rank or length of service, is play their importance, both how best to translate military within their CV and also durskills and qualities into the type ing interview conditions. of language that civilian employA prime example is the ers readily understand. Indeed, Troop Corporal who routinely this translation exercise is probaorganises training activities for bly one of the most important the soldiers in his or her care, factors behind the creation of a who, because of the relative successful CV and the subse‘normality’ of the task quent selection for interview. would probably not Given the importhink to include tance of this subject ‘never of those matter, it seems discard any details undertakings in surprising that type of his or her CV. very few, if any, However, within recruitment military a civilian organiagencies or job experience’ sation (where sites in the UK training is freprovide adequate quently bought in tools to assist the averfrom a third-party providage service leaver in er due to a dearth of in-house describing their strengths – or expertise), people with the give at least an indication of an skills required to organise and equivalent civilian job. A useful deliver training are in demand. example of signposts that can be Some aspects of what the provided to help service leavers Corporal actually does, concan be found at www.military. verted to civilian language, are com/skills-translator , which is as follows: researching materi(perhaps unsurprisingly) an al appropriate to the task; American job site aimed at vetidentifying and understanding erans. Just select three separate the start and end standards to menu options and press search. be met; selecting the students The results identify a set of and instructors; identifying equivalent civilian skills and and booking appropriate provide a list of available and training resources; designing applicable jobs, all based upon and developing course training the relevant search filters. The plans; designing and developabsence of such a translation ing lesson plans; designing tool within the UK jobs market and developing assessment suggests that there might be an plans; delivering the trainopportunity for a service leaver ing material; writing (who wishes to take a punt at course reports. This list becoming an IT entrepreneur) is not exhaustive, and I to make his or her mark! am sure there will be It’s equally true that most

20 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

other tasks that feature. These descriptive statements are relatively standard. However, many recruitment agencies now use electronic filters to automatically sift through CVs and application forms, so it’s really important to use the correct language for the role. But, how best to get the right balance of role translation and pertinent language? There’s no easy answer. However, you can start by asking the right questions of, and seeking advice from, those friends and contacts now working in Civvy Street who may have experience of that particular job or role. The take-home point is, never discard any type of military experience until it’s been broken down and comprehensively inspected for any kind of ‘hook’ that is a fit for the job

you are going for. Research and recall. For example, if you worked with a civilian company when rolling out a new logistics system within your unit, find out who the company was and refer to it in the CV and at interview. Finally, revisit all of your confidential reports or OJARs to identify key descriptions that some forgotten Troop Commander wrote about you in 2003, and which might fit nicely into current or future job applications. Of course, much of the language that should be used will differ from job to job, and in my next column I will be targeting a specific industry to find out a little more about opportunities that may exist for service leavers.

Dougie Eaglesham

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

ÂťCV assistance

About Dougie Eaglesham and Solvings Ltd Dougie Eaglesham is the Practice Lead at Solvings Ltd, a leading UK company that specialises in providing IT Infrastructure services, project consultancy and training services. Before joining Solvings, Dougie spent 25 years working in the Armed Forces. He enlisted as an Apprentice Tradesman in the Royal Corps of Signals and was commissioned up the ranks to his final role as a Captain.

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

Solvingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; training division focuses heavily on courses aimed at ex-Forces personnel to help them transition into civilian jobs. As part of its commitment to providing invaluable training for ex-Forces personnel, Solvings recently signed a corporate covenant with the MoD and has also partnered with the Recovery Career Services (RCS).

January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 21

Cash incentive for new RAF Reserves Ex-regulars from all three services to receive £10,000 joining bonus under ERFI scheme

RAF Reserve as part of the ongoing Future Reserves 2020 (FR20) programme. The RAF element of the FR20 project is predominantly focused on increasing the trained strength of the parttime volunteer reserves from 1000 to 1860 personnel by 1 April 2017 and to maintain this strength until 2020 and beyond. Ex-regular personnel who arrive fullytrained not “YOU HAVE THE BEST only provide OF BOTH WORLDS: A an immediate gain NORMAL CIVILIAN to trained strength, but EXISTENCE, PLUS, they are also able to fill key STEPPING BACK INTO officer, senior non-commisTHE UNIFORM, YOU sioned officer and junior GET TO UTILISE YOUR management posts without SKILLS, AS WELL AS delay – which is crucial to the WORK AND SOCIALISE successful formation of a coherWITH YOUR FRIENDS.” ent unit. This is particularly glance’, top right). The new valuable when establishing new incentive will be paid in reserve squadrons. addition to a reservist’s daily The experience provided by pay and annual bounty ex-regulars is also key to and will be providing the necesbackdated for sary nucleus of eligible personnel experience that who have already reserve squadnew reserves rons need in joined since 1 April 2014. order to be able needed by 1 Introducing to train and April 2017 the incentive retain new aims to further recruits. The ERFI stimulate the growth scheme will be open of the trained part-time from 1 November 2014 to 31 volunteer component of the March 2017; ex-regular perx-regular personnel who join the Royal Air Force Reserve could soon be in line for a cash windfall of up to £10,000 as part of a new financial incentive agreement. The Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body has approved an Ex-Regular Financial Incentive (ERFI) which will entitle former serving personnel from all three services who join the Royal Auxiliary Air Force up to £10,000 by reaching four key milestones (see ‘ERFI at a

860

22 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

sonnel who have already joined the Reserves since 1 April 2014 and meet the criteria may also apply. After completing 18 years of service for the RAF, Squadron Leader Darren Scales – a filmmaker and university lecturer in his civilian life – is now a Head of Media Operations for

the Reserves at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. Speaking about his role, Sqn Ldr Scales said: “You have the best of both worlds: a normal civilian existence, plus, stepping back into the uniform, you get to utilise your skills, as well as work and socialise with your friends.” Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

»RAF Focus

ERFI at a glance

■■ Stands for Ex-Regular Financial Incentive. ■■ Open to ex-regulars from all three services. ■■ £10,000 paid in stages after four ‘key milestones’: 1 £2000 paid 6 months after enlistment and qualification within respective branch or trade. 2 £3000 paid upon completion of the annual training commitment (ATC). A further £3000 paid upon completion of 3 the subsequent year’s ATC 4 A final £2000 paid upon completion of the subsequent year’s ATC. ■■ ERFI scheme will be open from 1 November 2014 to 31 March 2017.

In order to be eligible for the ERFI, an ex-regular recruit joining the RAuxAF must have joined the RAF Reserve after 1 April 2014. Detailed eligibility criteria may be found in the Internal Briefing Note 51/14. Eligible personnel may apply for the ERFI using application forms which can be obtained Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for the ERFI, an ex-regular recruit joining the RAuxAF must: ■■ Within 5 years of leaving regular service and before their 56th birthday, be enlisted into the part-time volunteer component of the RAuxAF in a bounty-earning engagement. ■■ Have previously served in any of the UK regular forces for at least 4 years and held the rank of OF2 to OF4 or OR2 to OR9. ■■ Have joined the RAuxAF after 1 April 2014. ■■ Have not previously left the RAuxAF while the ERFI is open. For more information and to apply, visit http://goo.gl/2HHzgE

across the UK to discuss the opportunities around your RAF or military skill-set, as well as the ranks available.

from RAF Reserve human resources staff.

You can arrange to visit any of the RAF Reserve squadrons

To find out more, visit www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment or call the Reserves helpline on 0333 202 1099 or 0845 606 9069. January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 23

‘WE SHOULD B E VERY PROUD O OUR ATTACHM F TO THE MILITAENT WE SHOULDNRY. HAVE TO AVO ’T THE QUESTIOID EMPLOYERSN OFTEN ASK’.

24 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

»Military Spouses

Careers support for spouses

As a military spouse, you are an asset to any organisation sk a military spouse about their experience with recruiters and they will probably roll their eyes and sigh. Forced to take lower paid, less secure, less challenging jobs, many partners feel trapped by the prejudices of recruiters, but at a loss for where else to turn. Stories such as Carmen’s offer hope. Before Carmen married into the Forces, she enjoyed a successful career as a PA in the City. Once settled into their first quarter Carmen contacted her local recruitment agents to help her find work. For the first time she was hit by the prejudices many military partners experience. Often overlooked for roles she was well qualified to do, Carmen ended up in a series of jobs that weren’t really what she wanted, but which got her out of the house and contributing to household finances. When Carmen came to Recruit for Spouses she was feeling demoralised about finding better paid, more satisfying work. Like many spouses we talk to, she didn’t know what higherskilled jobs she might be able to do, and she had lost the confidence and self-belief to put herself forward. Carmen’s experience is not unusual. Spouses are told, ‘You’re too much of a risk for anything but temp jobs’, ‘You’ll never find a job with that address’, or, ‘I’m sorry we have nothing for your skills’. Repeated experiences like these can leave the most resilient, talented person wondering if the fight is worth it, or desperate to find another way into work. Carmen is now a legal secretary and enjoys the challenge and career potential her new job offers. ‘We should be very proud of our attachment to the military.

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

We shouldn’t have to avoid the question employers often ask. Working here is a breath of fresh air, to not be asked questions about my husband’s job and to be in a role where I am valued.’ ‘We believe more military spouses should have the opportunity to feel this way,’ explains Heledd Kendrick, founder and CEO of Recruit for Spouses. ‘This is why we produced a guide to employing military spouses with the ENEI (Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion).’ A good employer makes certain that candidates are judged on their merits and, once employed, supported appropriately within a culture that is receptive to the needs of individuals. To ensure that partners of the British Armed Forces are being given the same opportunity to succeed as anyone else, Recruit for Spouses recently teamed up with the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion (ENEI) to produce a guide to employing the 100,000 military spouses across the UK. It is hoped that companies will use the guide to inform future policy-making. ‘The principles put forward will ensure a better understanding of military spouses and can be used to write employment policy,’ said Heledd. ‘We worked

hard on this project, with welcome contributions from AFF (Army Families Federation), and we are delighted it’s helping us spread the word amongst employers, tackling the thorny issue of how we are perceived.’ The ENEI, a proud supporter of Armed Forces Day 2014, is the UK’s leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion in the workplace. In addition to representing the views of employers, its role is to influence government, business and trade unions by highlighting the pros and cons of new employment laws and campaigning for inclusive working environments. A spokesperson for the organisation said: ‘Military spouses are often a forgotten component of our Armed Forces, whose support for their partners is invaluable in maintaining the safety and security of us all. This guide challenges the myths and explains the actions employers can take to support military spouses at work.’ If you would like to view the guide in full, visit www.enei.org.uk View the latest job vacancies from military spouse–friendly employers, visit www.recruitforspouses.co.uk January 2015 | 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

Robert Locking – Military to Civilian obert Locking joined the Army at the age of 22 in 1994, having completed his basic training at ATR Bassingbourn and his Infantry Training at Vimmy Barracks, Catterick. He joined his regiment, 23 Pioneer Regiment RLC based in Bicester. After serving in the British Army for 18 years Robert was medically discharged after a back operation for a sporting injury left him with 30% disability in his left leg. Being discharged from the Forces due to injury was not something that had crossed Robert’s mind, but due to this his transition into civilian life had started. Spending his last 2 years going through rehabilitation at Headley Court he obtained valuable advice from agencies and individuals he encountered. Robert’s biggest challenge was what employment to look for due to his disabilities. After attending many of the British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS) Career Fairs, and spending many hours networking with various employers exhibiting at these events, he decided to book onto a CCTV Operators course. This qualification proved very valuable, as he was employed by one of

‘I FOUND LEAVING THE ARMY HARDER THAN JOINING THE ARMY; IT WAS A PART OF MY LIFE THAT WAS MISSING. THE POSITION I WAS OFFERED BY HARRY AND NEIL WAS PERFECT, IT ENABLED ME TO STILL HAVE THE CONTACT WITH THE FORCES COMMUNITY’ 26 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

the biggest security companies in the country working at the Disney European Distribution Centre. Not entirely happy with his position and having to work night shifts he continued to use the BFRS website and Career fairs to hopefully open up more opportunities for employment. His relationship with the BFRS team got stronger and stronger, and his qualities were noticed by the CEO Harry Dean who was very keen to interview Robert and talk about the possibility of having a position within BFRS. Although Robert was still working, Harry Dean and Neil Dean (Managing Director) arranged to meet him at the BFRS offices in Leicester. After a lengthy interview a position was agreed for Robert to take on, Robert now works as the BFRS Military Engagement Officer. This position requires him to travel around the country promoting the BFRS Career Fairs and what BFRS offer the Forces Community which he has grasped with both hands. When asked, what he

Robert Locking

»Our partners thought of his position? Robert replied “I found leaving the Army harder than joining the Army; it was a part of my life that was missing. The position I was offered by Harry and Neil was perfect, it enabled me to still have the contact with the Forces Community meeting with many Ranks, and most of all I was able to pass on my experiences of resettlement and promote the excellent services BFRS offer.” As part of his role, Robert now has his own ‘brand’ called #RobOnTheRoad that he uses

to engage with the AFC via social media so that individuals can follow his travels around the UK and his work promoting BFRS and the Career Events organised. Most recently Robert has even travelled as far as Germany to promote BFRS.

Forces friendly company

Keep up to date with Robert’s travels on Facebook by searching ‘Rob On The Road’ and also follow him on Twitter; @_RobOnTheRoad_

Screwfix are the UK’s largest multichannel supplier of trade tools, plumbing and electrical goods. The Screwfix national store network now provides the UK’s tradespeople (including builders, plumbers and electricians) and serious DIY-ers with greater access to tools and supplies when they are on the move in between jobs. Screwfix take great pride in delivering award-winning levels of customer service and are looking for people to help their customers get the job done. Screwfix offer a wide range of careers, and they’ve got something for everyone – from their head office to their contact centre to their trade centres. They created nearly 1000 new jobs in 2013 and have not stopped there. After attending the BFRS Tidworth Careers Event on 2 October 2014, Screwfix have recently successfully placed three ex-military individuals into various roles including retail sales customer service supervisor and trade counter roles.

www.screwfixcareers.com

Events diary 29th Jan 2015

East Midlands Military Community Career Fair

12th Mar 2015

Hampshire Military Community Career Fair

14th May 2015

North Yorkshire Military Community Career Fair

2nd Jul 2015

Gloucestershire Military Community Career Fair Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

July/August January 2014 2015 || 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.

Supporting veterans in custody hen veterans enter custody they can experience mixed emotions, feeling anxious and lost, and often that their conviction is a sign of failure. As they prepare for release, rather than being an exciting time, in reality the return to civilian life can be a daunting prospect – especially if they feel hopeless and lack any clear vision of which direction to take in life. As a military charity, RFEA provides employment services for all ex-Armed Forces individuals, and has a proven track record of helping them find and remain in rewarding employment for the rest of their working lives. RFEA’s support is available to all ex-military and ex-service personnel irrespective of their rank, length of service, where they live or the stage in their lives when they need to draw on this support. As such, RFEA can assist any veteran in the criminal justice system, providing them with employment support which is a key strand of their rehabilitation back into the community. RFEA employs two Specialist Employment Consultants who work specifically to support veterans in the criminal justice system. One of these is Colin Back who works as the Project Nova coordinator in the East of England with Norfolk and Suffolk Police Force. Ex-Army himself, Colin brings a personal understanding of the unique nature of military life to his work and plays a vital role in supporting veterans in custody, to rehabilitate and signpost them to organisations who are willing to employ them and give them a chance. RFEA, Walking with the Wounded, Norfolk and Suffolk Police Force, Anglia Ruskin University and Forces in Mind Trust are working together to deliver Project Nova, a support programme for veterans who have entered police custody. Launched in July 2014 as an initial

28 | EQUIPPED | January July/August 20152014

18-month trial, drawing on the ‘Nova Network’ of military charities and organisations in Norfolk and Suffolk, the programme will provide advice and guidance to veterans tailored to meet their individual needs. Colin Back is coordinating the programme and has worked closely with Norfolk and Suffolk custody suites to support and engage veterans with the trial. The trial, funded by Forces in Mind Trust, is being underpinned by academic evalua-

tion carried out by Anglia Ruskin University to measure effectiveness and successful outcomes. Colin ensures individuals can access mentoring, guidance and ‘at the end of the phone’ support. Through these channels, veterans can receive wide-ranging support including: employment advice and support to engage with employers, help with writing a disclosure letter, support to access training and funding grants, and support Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

»Our partners for their wider family. RFEA’s strong connections across the military sector community also mean that Colin is able to link veterans in custody up with other organisations who can meet their other needs such as their housing, welfare, finance and life skills. This engagement and support can play a critical role in preventing repeat offending behaviour which could lead to another prison sentence. Colin explains of Project Nova, ‘The rehabilitation process back into the community is sometimes not an easy one and veterans deserve all the support they can get. Project Nova will provide assistance, advice and continued support after release from police custody to both the veteran and their family, and it is fantastic how supportive Norfolk and Suffolk Police Force have been regarding the project. What makes my job so worthwhile are the emails and cards I get from time to time, telling us how much we helped and saying thank you. The word Nova means “new beginnings”, and that’s exactly what we want to help these veterans achieve’.

Project Nova offers new beginnings

For further information on RFEA’s employment services for all exArmed Forces individuals, including veterans in custody, please visit: www.rfea.org.uk

RFEA Offices

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

■■ 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

About RFEA RFEA is the Employment Arm of the highly successful Career Transition Partnership (CTP), and they work very closely with Right Management who deliver the CTP, working closely with the MOD. The CTP provides expert advice and guidance on interview techniques, CV writing, one-to-one advice on your future career, access to training and assistance in researching jobs. CTP provides this support from two years prior to discharge, through to two years after. For more information, visit www.ctp.org.uk To find out more how RFEA can assist you, regardless of your military background, visit their website. Remember, RFEA can support you in finding a job and securing sustainable, rewarding and quality employment. www.rfea.org.uk For further information about the Future Horizons programme, visit www.futurehorizons.org

July/August January 2015 2014 | EQUIPPED | 29

»Our partners

Deliver vital skills with Nuco Training uco Training has a long and respected history in the first aid industry, covering some 16 years. In order to meet UK business demand, they expanded their suite of qualifications to include First Aid, Defibrillation, Health & Safety and Food Safety, which are Ofqual and SQA regulated. Nuco Training has over 4500 instructors delivering training across the UK and around the world. The company pride themselves on their standard of support and service that they offer to each and every instructor. With 500 new instructor opportunities planned for 2015, it is encouraging to know that there is a real need for this growth. On a recent visit to their Telford Training Academy, Peter Morgan (Operations Manager) explained: ‘In the UK, businesses operate within the control of HSE legislation and, in particular, specific regulations. These regulations ensure that when we go to work the environment is a safe and healthy one. They even cover a recommended provision being made for all of us when we visit premises, and even when we are out shopping.

30 | EQUIPPED | January July/August 20152014

‘To meet the regulations, organisations look to recognised and approved providers to deliver training that is suitable, adequate and fit for purpose. In respect of first aid qualifications, training is required every three years for qualified first aiders and

‘RESEARCH IN 2012 FOUND THAT ONLY 7% OF THE UK IS TRAINED IN FIRST AID. I HOPE THIS GIVES AN IDEA OF JUST HOW MUCH OF A NEED FOR FIRST AID TRAINING THERE IS.’ annual refresher training is strongly recommended. I hope this gives an idea of just how much of a need there is. Voluntary aid societies carried out research in 2012 which found that only 7% of the UK is trained in first aid.’ Nuco Training offered the opportunity for Equipped to speak with one of their instructors, Heidie Coombs. She said: ‘I first got involved with Nuco Training as an assessor. I spent a number of years assessing First Aid at Work courses, including instructor courses. When the need for external assessors was removed from training, I decided to start my own business at the beginning of 2014. I guess

that was the push I needed to start providing training myself. As one of the lead trainers for Nuco Training, I had plenty of experience delivering training to Nuco Training clients, who were predominantly national or international companies. ‘After a lot of deliberation and suggestions from friends, the name Essential Compliance Training (ECT) was formed. ‘Since the start of 2014 I have been fortunate enough to deliver training to a vast range of professional businesses, in a number of sectors. I really enjoy how different each course can be, from teaching first aid to lorry drivers for the driver CPC, to food safety to a local café, paediatric first aid in a nursery, through to teaching basic life support to students on the Duke of Edinburgh Award. My goal for 2014 was to train every other weekend as I also have a full-time job. I had trained over 200 learners by midDecember. Needless to say, I am thrilled with my first year and, by November, I already had six courses booked for January 2015. ‘My confidence has grown knowing that I have the help and support from the whole team at Nuco Training, which has played a major part in my success. I couldn’t have possibly grown my business, as well as work full-time, without Nuco’s administration support. It really is like having an administrator working towards your success. I register all my courses online with Nuco Training and the paperwork for running my training turns up generally within two days. Then, at the end of the course, I register my learners’ results online and their national qualification certificates are with me a couple of days later. Nuco Training really do make it easy for me, and it means I can guarantee my customers a quick turnaround. They keep me up to date with all industry news and anything that may affect my training. There are no hidden charges or nasty surprises, which is pretty unique for this type of relationship. I have the comfort of knowing that if I get asked any difficult questions, then all I have to do is pick up the phone and I’m able to speak to someone who can assist me with the answers. The online support is superb and there is always a friendly voice at the end of the line if I need anything. I love the fact that I am made to feel part of a big company who base their success on the instructor’s success. ‘I would recommend Nuco’s instructor training to anyone who is looking to increase their employability, or who wants to start their own business.’ To find out more about Nuco Training, visit www.nucotraining.com Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

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»Timeshare ownership

Forces timeshare transition Feeling stuck in a timeshare rut? Know your options

imeshare owners leaving the forces often want to sell their timeshares because their lifestyle and leave entitlement will be changing dramatically. Most can no longer reap the benefits that were attractive years ago when they bought the original product whilst still serving. The vast majority of Veteran Timeshare owners will still be taking holidays, but may no longer be able to travel to their original timeshare resort, or afford what could be a costly exchange to another resort. Before you decide to sell however, make sure you explore the full range of options open to you. Lee Woodward from the Timeshare Channel said, “I handle the old problem of came back to the industry and those who no longer want to realised that owners are looking to sell timeshare with little own- whatever the reason for that may be.” or no way of getting help from The Timeshare Channel companies without paying was set up to help timehuge ‘up-front’ fees.” share owners “I feel that it is reengage with essential that the what they purtimeshare comchased and panies offer help of UK timeshare support mature and support to owners are pleased resorts with little all owners with or no sales activiall aspects of they bought ty to sell unsold or timeshare returned inventory. throughout the term According to Lee, The of their ownership.” Timeshare Channel offer “Timeshare is a great prodsolutions that would mean uct and a new way is needed to

75%

32 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

satisfied forces owners could continue to use their timeshare productively. Holidays are meant to be enjoyable, not problematic.

For more information, call Lee Woodward on 01637 800055 or visit the website at www.timesharechannel.co.uk

Know your options ■■ Timeshare owners should be able to enjoy their investment by maintaining their ownership or finding an attractive exchange option for them ■■ Owners may be able to rent their weeks using the services

of a third party rental company to cover the cost of the maintenance fees ■■ Owners should be able to relinquish their ownership in a safe and timely manner, offering protection to both the resort and the owner

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January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 33

Walking with courage

Some transitions are harder than others. Equipped catches up with tripleamputee veteran, motivational speaker, and pub landlord Andy Reid goal, and I achieved it.’ Andy’s primary mindset when faced with challenge seems simply to be: keep moving forward. And move forward he has. A pair of prosthetic legs fitted at the Defence Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court allowed him to go on a world cruise with Claire in 2010. In the same year he was nominated for and won the Sun’s Military Award. In between he has cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats, skydived and made a number of appearances on behalf of service charities. He is currently an ambassador for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity (see page 48). Andy now enjoys a career as a successful motivational speaker, helping others to move forward through adversity. This success is partly on the back of his book Standing Tall: The Inspirational Story of a True British Hero in which he fully describes his experience. Most recently, Andy has bought and runs a pub in his hometown of St Helens. We talked to him specifically about his rather unusual transition.

Did you enjoy your time in the Forces? Q

he first thing I was aware of was a dust cloud all around me. I couldn’t hear anything. I looked down and couldn’t see my legs. My index finger was hanging off – I thought, ‘Well, I’m not losing that too,’ so I hung onto that. Then I called for some morphine.’

34 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

Sometimes the closest a civilian will get to understanding the true horrors of war is to talk to someone like former Corporal Andy Reid, 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. After stepping on an IED in Afghanistan in 2009, he lost both his legs and his right arm. Evacuated to the UK and the specialist military wing of

Selly Oak Hospital, it was touch and go whether he would survive – but survive he did. ‘Before the accident I’d been writing to my cousin that I’d met an amazing girl, Claire, and that I was going to ask her to marry me. When I woke up on the ward and understood the extent of my injuries, I made marrying Claire my first

Yes. I did 13 years before I got injured. I climbed Kilimanjaro, walked through the Grand Canyon, lived in Germany, went up to the Arctic Circle in Canada – I went absolutely everywhere in the Army. I’ve no regrets about joining the Army, or anything else! If I had to do it all over again, I’d just do the same thing.

Good to hear. Do others who have been injured feel that way? Q

Unfortunately you do get

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»On the cover younger lads who have joined at 16, gone on tour at 18, been injured, and looked back with regret about joining the Forces. They didn’t get the chance to do all the amazing things you can actually do while you’re in the Services.

What do you Q miss most about being in the Army?

Just the banter with the lads, really, and the camaraderie.

I remember reading your book and the banter was great – especially asking about your crown jewels when you first woke up after the injury! Q

Well it’s one of the first things you ask, haha! I think in the Army when you’re in bad situations it’s often the banter and the joking that gets you through it.

Your transition back to Civvy Street was unusual in that you didn’t take time off to explore courses and careers and so forth before leaving. How did you find it? Q

ANDY REID

Being injured is easier in some ways. I spent months cycling between rehab at Headley Court and staying at home. It’s a slower return to Civvy Street. Compare that to the usual signing off, getting a year to do a pre-release course, then you’re out. Especially for the guys who have lived their whole time in the mess, suddenly they’re at home all the time – that’s a big change. I had a lot more time to think about the future while injured, and adjust to regular married life. I’m also on a War Pension due to the injuries, so there was less of a pressing need to find work immediately, which can be a big source of stress for Service-leavers. Q

Rather than relying upon a

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pension, however, you really have gone out there and made new careers for yourself. Would you say your Army training helped with that?

Well you get a lot of preparation in the Army. Especially getting to Corporal, I learned a lot of administration skills, and of course leadership. These skills can move across into civilian jobs. Running a bar, looking after my staff – that’s all chain-of-command stuff I already knew inside out from the ‘WHAT I MIS Army and MOST ABOUS applied it to THE ARMY IS TT my busiBANTER WITHHE ness THE LADS – TH straight E CAMARADERIE away with .’ no problems.

And what about with regard to your motivational speaking? Q

It’s actually easier in some ways than speaking in the Army! When training men in the Army you get a pamphlet you have to learn, and if text is in red you have to say it. Doing all that certainly gave me the confidence to stand up and address people. But in motivational speaking, there’s nothing to learn – the story’s in my head because I lived it. I just stand up and say what happened! I do a lot of corporate events where I’m teaching skills like leadership and discipline. When you’re in the Army you soak up skills like a sponge. I did some work with Network Rail and they told me it took their civilian drivers 18 months to learn to reverse their lorries into the yard. In the Army you learn that in 2 weeks! But there are key differences in some areas. For example, in the Army, if someone doesn’t do something, you can just put them on guard duty or punish them some other way. In civil-

ian work, you have to give them a warning or go through HR. So there’s a power structure in the Army whereby you can discipline people on the spot. In civilian work it’s slower, and you have to learn all that.

You’ve got a young son now. What would you say if he wanted to join the Army? Q

Yes, William – he was two last week! I’ve said from the start that if he wants to, he should go and do that, because it’s a fantastic career. As long as he’s happy, I’m happy! Regarding injury, yes it can happen and end your career before it’s started. But injuries can happen to civilians, too. I’ve met some amazing civilian amputees, like my friend Stephen with whom I set up the charity www.weareaim.org. He was driving around Australia on holiday, someone came round the bend driving way too fast, crashed into him and he lost both his legs. Now we work with other amputees to help them deal with the changes they’re going through.

You’ve done tons for charity, cycled the country, married, had a son, and started two successful careers! What motivated you? Q

Some of my friends didn’t come back from Afghanistan. When you’ve been mates with someone for many years, and their life is taken away from them, but you’re still here, I think it’s disrespectful to them to NOT live your life to the full. That’s motivation enough for me. Q

Tell us about your pub!

It’s called the Cinema Bar and it’s in St Helens. It used to be a cinema back in the 1940s. It’s a nice wine bar with comfy Chesterfield sofas, similar to what we had in the mess. We do specialist and craft beers you won’t find in other bars. Come in, relax, have something special to drink, and have a nice chat! Andy’s book, Standing Tall: The Inspirational Story of a True British Hero, is available in book shops and on Amazon. To contact Andy about motivational speaking or charity work, visit his website www.andyreid.org January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 35

Transition to transport Three service-leavers describe life in logistics hen the Government started Skills for Logistics, an initiative to attract talented individuals into logistics to plug the skills gap, one Forces-friendly company was keen to take advantage of its programmes in order to scoop up ex-service personnel.

Downton is an independent logistics firm headquartered in Gloucestershire with ten major distribution hubs across the UK, employing 1350 staff. Their client list includes some of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest companies. Started in 1955, Downton is now a second-generation family business. In 2013 Downton created a military work

placement scheme via Skills for Logistics and gave placements to 12 service people in transition. In the following interviews we catch up with three service-leavers: Craig Dixon, who was taken on through the scheme, Nigel Willis, the scheme organiser, and David Leleu, who joined Downton as a driver straight from the military.

Craig, Nigel and David

36 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

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»Transport

Q&A Nigel Willis Group Health & Safety Manager Nigel Willis is the Group Health & Safety Manager at Downton. He spent 23 years in the service, latterly as a warrant officer.

In 2013 you delivered Q Downton’s military work placement scheme via the Government initiative Skills for Logistics. Is that scheme still going?

No. But Downton is still actively recruiting, and we’re very Forces-friendly. Visit www.downton.co.uk and click on ‘Careers’ to see what’s on offer. As you’re probably aware, there’s a massive drivers shortage at the moment, so that’s a key area. Another area is possibly mechanics. On our job application forms, there’s a section specifically for ex-Forces people to fill out their service history so, like I said: we’re very Forces-friendly.

You chose 12 people for placement at Downton in 2013. What made them stand out? What are you looking for in a candidate? Q

I mainly assess them on their knowledge and ability. However, confidence and being well-dressed were also important factors. Military people do conduct themselves better in interviews; when you ask them a question you get a definite answer. Q

What roles did they end up filling?

We put eight drivers, two health and safety admins and two mechanics on two-week placements on Downton. Out of those, we decided to keep on three drivers and one health and safety admin. When it comes to logistics, drivers are still the most in demand!

What makes military people suited to logistics? What are the transferable skills? Q

I was an instructor in the Army’s logistics school. The management training within the Army is second to none. Besides that, ex-military people react to situations quickly, are comfortable making tough calls and standing by those decisions, and have good people skills. Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

Can you give us an example of those skills in action at Downton? Q

Sure. Downton is a major player in the alcoholic drinks industry, working for some of the UK’s biggest breweries and drinks producers. As a result, I was asked by the Freight Transport Assocation (FTA) – one of the haulage sector’s key trade associations – to produce a best-practice guide for load-securing in the drinks sector. The project involved liaising with various different parties from across the industry to agree the recommendations that would be included in the guidelines, plan the content and structure of the document, and ensure that the guidance provided was legally compliant, practical and current. The strong communications and management skills that I acquired in the Forces were vital in managing the different parties involved in the project. My experiences as a training instructor also gave me solid writing skills, which were put to good use here. Q

What’s your role now?

I’m Group Health & Safety Manager. A major part of my role is to oversee Downton’s health and safety management system, which governs key policies and procedures and ensures that all documents are legally compliant. When I joined the company, I identified

that this system was in need of an overhaul, as it was hard to manage and difficult for users to access. I undertook a major project to identify a web-based replacement system that would be easier to use and be able to interact with other IT systems. This involved carrying out research into the best and most costeffective platform, liaising with potential suppliers, working with the chosen partner to install the system, then embedding it into the company through an internal communications programme for relevant staff.

What would you say to other companies looking to fill their skills gap? Q

I would say they’ve got to look at what service personnel have to offer – and what they offer is dedication, commitment, longevity and discipline. If you ask them to do something, they’ll get on and do the job; they won’t pussyfoot around! We’ve now got 20 or 30 ex-Forces personnel from all three services, and it’s a loyal, committed workforce. Other companies have to take that on board.

Career overview: Nigel Willis Then...

Now...

■■ Joined army in 1973 as a Supply Specialist in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC); worked in logistics/supply functions in the UK and Germany ■■ Rose through ranks of Corporal, Sergeant, Staff Sergeant to Warrant Officer Class 2. Assumed role of Company Sergeant Major, in charge of unit deployed to Saudi Arabia in October 1990 for the duration of the Gulf War. ■■ Rebadged to the Royal Logistics Corps in April 1993; obtained first health and safety qualification and trained Officers and Warrant Officers in H&S responsibilities.

■■ Passed the National Examination Board in Occupational Health and Safety (NEBOSH) qualification and obtained a diploma in Management as part of resettlement. ■■ Joined Downton in September 2010 as Group Health & Safety Manager; responsible for management of health and safety policy and operations across the business, directly reporting to the board of directors.

January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 37

with Nigel, and they kept me on.

Q&A Craig Dixon

have about 14 days to complete that, write it up, and get it to the examiners. In the practical you have to assess a warehouse and comment on (staged) hazards and also good working practices, and summarise them in a report to the “employer” and make recommendations to keep them legal.

A main skill I bring over from the military to this role is service letter-writing – briefs, memos, etc. I’ve brought that style to Downton, and it’s a very structured layout for documentation. I’ve been rewriting the driver’s handbook written by the previous health and safety manager, and we’ve brought it from 12 pages down to four. The other thing I bring is the typical military work ethic – you get given job, you get on with it.

What attracted you to logistics and Downton specifically?

Any advice for people about to make the transition?

Health & Safety Officer Craig served 24 years as a military clerk and CVRT gunner. He came to Downton as part of the aforementioned work placement scheme. Craig officially joined the business in Nigel’s health and safety team in the summer, having completed the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) accreditation. He is based at Downton’s HQ in Moreton Valence, Gloucestershire.

Tell me about your Q NEBOSH qualification. How was it funded? How long did it take to complete?

It was funded by enhanced learning credits (ELCs)! It’s a two-week intensive course followed by a day of exams. Immediately after those is the practical assessment and you

Tell us about your role now, and how what you learned in the military helps you today. Q

Two years prior to the end of my service I was struggling with my career choice. I attended a resettlement briefing at Warrington College. Someone from Skills for Logistics was speaking there and I put my name down. They then phoned to tell me they had found a two-week attachment for me at Downton, which was near where I lived, so I said yes. I got on well, training

Give yourself at least two years out before you leave, to register with education centres and resettlement officers. Attend careers fairs and meet employers; get your name and your CV out there! It’s all about preparation. And if you see a company you like and want to try a two-week attachment, there’s no harm in asking!

‘GET YOUR N AND YOUR CVAME THERE. AND IF OUT SEE A COMPA YOU LIKE AND WANNY YOU TRY A TWO-W T TO E ATTACHMENT,EK THERE’S NO H ARM IN ASKING!’

38 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

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»Transport

Q&A David Leleu Compliance Team David Leleu joined Downton straight from the service as an HGV driver – but has since been promoted, and now works in the Compliance team.

Tell us about your transition. How long were you in the military, and what happened after you left? Q

I was in the Royal Engineers for seven years as a driver and combat engineer, mainly providing support to other arms of the military, e.g. transport. My transition was made quite easy by the military. I did various courses such as my driving CPC which the Army paid for, as well as transport courses and an overview compliance course which gave me an overall understanding of the industry. These were all covered by ELCs. When I left the military I contacted Downton as they were a local company here

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in Gloucestershire where I live. They took me on as a commercial driver even though I had no experience, and provided me with a mentor for a few weeks to show me the ropes. They were just amazing about everything. I’ve always had the support of the directors and everyone down here at Downton as they are very pro-Forces. I got to know the people in the office and expressed an interest in progressing within the transport industry, and from there I was offered a position in Compliance which I’ve now been in for four months and which I’m really enjoying.

Tell us about your role now, and how what you learned in the military helps you today. Q

A typical day will see me checking tachograph records and, if required, getting drivers in to discuss infringements such as

speed and hours – basically, making sure our drivers are running legal and complying with the regulation set by the Vehicle Standards Agency. This role requires me to be very organised, and I credit that to my military training. Q

What’s your favourite part of the job?

Probably speaking face-to-face with the drivers, because at the end of the day I’m helping them as much as I’m helping the company.

Any advice for people about to make the transition? Q

Before you actually leave the military you do get quite a bit of time off. Go and actually try a few things. See if you can get work experience at companies that take your interest. A lot of places are very open to ex-military people coming in and just having a look. You might not get paid but you get to see what the actual job requires of you. I was lucky because I was straight into an industry I didn’t know much about but which I took to like a duck to water. Some people aren’t so lucky, so try lots of things before making a decision!

January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 39

Drivers in demand Recovering economy stimulates driver supply businesses

rivers Direct, one of the UK’s leading providers of temporary and permanent drivers to commercial organisations, reported a strong year of growth and the opening of six new sites in 2014. The business’s success is a result of the growing demand for well-qualified temporary and permanent commercial drivers to service the recovering economy. The positive results mean that Drivers Direct will be reinvesting in the business and creating an additional 180 jobs across the UK. The company, which is

headquartered In Runcorn, will be investing more than £1m into the six new offices located in Liverpool, Swindon, Derby, Durham, Leicester and Romford. All offices will provide jobs and will work together to serve a growing blue-chip client base across the UK. The strong performance has also allowed the company to further invest in staff, as existing employees have been promoted to manage the new branches. Additionally, Drivers Direct has also implemented a new IT system for their drivers to better track and manage their timesheets. Gethin Roberts, Managing Gethin Director of Drivers Direct,

Roberts

commented: ‘We’re pleased to report strong results and are thrilled to have opened six offices this financial year. The positive figures will allow us to make further investments in the company, extend our offer into new markets and grow our customer base.’ Established in 2002, Drivers Direct covers all driver classes, from chauffeurs and forklift drivers right through to LGV Class 1 and 2 drivers. The business supplies more than 700 drivers a week to clients from across the public and private sectors. The company currently has a network of 20 branches across the UK. To apply for jobs and training with Drivers Direct, visit: www.driversdirect.co.uk

‘THE BUS ES S’S SUCCESS IS IN A RESULT OF THE GR DEMAND FOORWING QUALIFIED TE WELLM AND PERMANPORARY COMMERCIAL ENT D TO SERVICE TRHIVERS RECOVERING E ECONOMY.’

40 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

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ÂťTransport

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January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 41

Another brick in the wall

Construct your transition with BuildForce

he military requires a workBuild on your force that is determined to get military skills the job done, on time and to the highest standards, no matter what the difficulties or conditions of the situation. The similarities between the Armed Forces and certain civilian industries are clear, and are particularly apparent when it comes to construction. With regard to hierarchal structure, the discipline required and having to think fast when time is running out, construction offers a clear path for those making the move from the military back into full-time civilian employment. BuildForce, a programme We know from testimonies and specially created for service military voices that the Armed leavers who might be Forces provide a plethora of management and leadership new construction interested in finding out what career opportunities are training – skills which workers will be available in construction and translate perfectly into the needed over the the built environment. The construction industry. next five years construction industry has Construction offers many hundreds of roles to consider, and different roles and opportunities the team behind BuildForce are there that people either don’t know or don’t to provide advice on the options available. think about, and a background in the It’s a collaborative employer-led Forces can open many doors and help partnership that has been established to service leavers make a clean transition. deliver ‘industry awareness events and a There are many different programmes work placement brokerage service which on offer to help a transition to supports construction employers to more construction, which brings us to

182,000

42 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

easily recruit from the Armed Forces’. Employer partners include Carillion, Lend Lease, Morgan Sindall, Crossrail and Wilson James, together with their supply chains. The lead delivery partner for BuildForce is Construction Youth Trust in conjunction with the Career Transition Partnership and CITB (Construction Industry Training Board). Work attachments are a key part of the BuildForce programme, and employers are currently offering many opportunities in this area. They are all Open College Network (OCN) accredited and there is also the chance to attain a CSCS health and safety card, which is a key requirement to Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

»Construction work on most construction sites. Each participant is assessed for the level of support required to achieve their CSCS red card with learning materials supplied by the Trust and CITB. The skills that service leavers gain from time in the military are a great base to get started on a new career path. The BuildForce programme strives to help service leavers learn how these valuable skills are transferable to work in construction, whether at craft, technical or professional level. Lorraine Gregory is Sector Strategy Manager of Careers at CITB. She’s been there for over six years and recently spoke about the opportunities presented in construction, as well as how BuildForce and the industry events around it can help. ‘If you can build a military camp in the middle of a war zone, you probably have a number of skills that the construction industry can use,’ she said. ‘That’s the thinking behind BuildForce, which has been set up to prove that the end of military service can mark the beginning of a successful career in construction. CITB is backing BuildForce because we can see the value in bringing those two groups together – people looking for the next step and businesses who need skilled employees. We know that service men and women leave the Armed Forces with a clutch of skills that can be used in the construction industry. Former Royal Engineers can go on to become bricklayers, plasterers, carpenters, joiners or civil engineers. Royal Logistic Corps leavers also have the skills that could see them working as potential planners or project managers. ‘We’ve met a number of success stories so

far during our work on BuildForce, including IF YOU CAN BUILD A Pramod Rai. MILITARY CAMP IN THE Previously a Sapper MIDDLE OF A WAR with the Queen’s ZONE, YOU PROBABLY Ghurkha Engineers, HAVE A NUMBER OF he took his skills as a SKILLS THAT THE surveyor to FSI Europe, where he is CONSTRUCTION now a racking INDUSTRY CAN USE installation team leader and site foreman. Just like the Armed Forces, our industry recognises and rewards ability and hard work. Ex-service professionals who take their skills into the industry feel valued because bosses appreciate what they can offer.’ Transition Partnership, pointing With construction emerging from the personnel with an interest in economic downturn, Lorraine stressed the construction towards BuildForce. urgency in getting more skilled people on ‘For Armed Forces leavers, the benefits of board to meet the demand that such moving into construction are easy to see but growth brings. it’s also good news for employers: training She added: ‘It’s a huge challenge for the needs are kept to a minimum because people industry to face. Our latest Construction arrive with good technical and practical Skills Network (CSN) report found that an skills, discipline and a readiness to work extra 182,000 new construction workers hard. They’re also used to working under will be needed over the next five years. pressure, so offer a fast and cost-effective BuildForce can help with that mission. boost to businesses. BuildForce will help The project is funded by CITB’s Growth those people take their skills into an industry Fund and we’re working with the that really needs and values them.’ Construction Youth Trust and major employers and their supply chains. The To find out more about the BuildForce Home Builders Federation is also on programme or how to sign up to an board, as is the Ministry of Defence which Industry Awareness event, contact is doing its bit through the Career Aoife Drury on buildforce@cytrust.org.uk

Building a home for service-leavers Construction company seeks 500 new recruits

eading house-builder Persimmon Homes has announced a recruitment drive to bring up to 500 ex-military personnel into the business. The house-builder, which has 24 regional businesses in England, Wales and Scotland, is working with Nordic Focus Training to retrain people from the Army, Royal Navy and RAF in bricklaying and joinery. Speaking at the launch, held at one of its developments in Durham, group CEO Jeff

44 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

Fairburn said: ‘We have worked hard over the course of 2014 to develop this programme to help us meet a shortage of much-needed skilled tradesmen across the UK. ‘Earlier this year we appointed a dedicated ex-military resettlement specialist, Tommy Watson, to spearhead the programme and we began welcoming the first of our new employees at the start of October. We are already on course to bring 500 new people into the business in 2015 and if our growth continues, we will

repeat this in 2016. ‘The new recruits are all starting on an 18-month training programme with time spent in the classroom and out on site. Our courses welcome new people every four weeks and, based on the recruits we’ve already seen, we are very excited with the quality of the candidates. Some of them I’m sure will go on to take management positions within the business in the future.’ Persimmon currently employs 3500 people across 24 businesses as well as in its

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»Construction head office in York. Alongside trainee bricklayers and joiners, the company is also directly employing other staff with a military background into sales and management roles. In 2013, Persimmon signed the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant and all new trainees will be encouraged to be reservists. Persimmon will build over 13,000 new homes in 2014 and plans to open many more developments in 2015. ‘As a business, we appreciate how hard our team works to support our growth and deliver new homes to communities across the UK. Each year hundreds of new apprentices and trainees join us and I know that the latest ex-service people to join us will be welcomed by everyone.’

Get to the next level

To find out more, visit www.persimmonjobs.com and click on ‘Working With Us’. All jobs for serviceleavers are listed on RightJob www.ctp.org.uk where online applications are accepted.

‘EACH YEAR HUNDREDS O APPRENTICESF NEW TRAINEES INAND US AND I KNOW JO TH T THE LATEST SERVA LEAVERS TO JO ICE WILL BE WELC IN US OMED BY EVERYON E.’

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January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 45

Back to nature Transition to the great outdoors f you enjoyed the outdoors element of your military service, work in the landbased sector may be your calling. Providing such opportunities is the young charity HighGround, based at RHQ, the London Scottish Regiment, in Westminster. HighGround was started by Anna Baker Cresswell in 2013 to help service leavers, reservists and veterans find jobs, careers and vocational opportunities in the landbased sector. ‘It’s outdoor stuff for outdoor people,’ says Anna, who is looking forward to launching the 2015 programme of Rural Weeks in the Spring, and building HighGround’s profile UK-wide. Whilst resettlement is the ‘formal in-service process of exiting from HM Forces’ it is widely acknowledged that the process of transition can take a lot longer and many people (think of the Chelsea Pensioners) never consider themselves a civilian. Instead of leaving the skills and experience learned during their military careers behind them, HighGround helps service leavers, reservists and veterans to recognise how they can map these skills onto the land-based sector where problem-solving, motivation, self-starting and teamwork, all in the great outdoors, are at a premium; and as the UK’s food security and an ageing rural workforce become more pressing issues, HighGround is ready to do its bit. At the core of HighGround’s service are Rural Weeks, delivered at agricultural colleges for a maximum of eight participants to give them an overview of the land-based sector, how their military skills fit into it, what jobs are out there, and what training

they will need to secure those jobs. Rural Weeks are free to all participants and are fully residential. Two pilot weeks were delivered between August and October at Plumpton College in Sussex, but by 2016 Anna hopes to have expanded the programme to agricultural colleges UK-wide. Not everyone who engages with HighGround will need a Rural Week as there will be those who know, for example, that they want to be a tree surgeon and who just need access to the right course to get their tickets and some work experience to get them going. HighGround has a growing UK network of training providers and as the charity becomes better known, estates and businesses who can provide work experience and employment such as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission who signed up last week, and HighGround’s staff, are on hand to help with every step of the process. Criteria for coming to HighGround are that you must have served, and should be looking in the direction of employment, although Anna says: ‘We totally get that not everyone is ready to embark on a fulltime job straight away. A veteran who came on one of our pilot weeks had served 10 years in the Army and subsequently had a few wobbles and decided he wanted to start volunteering as a way back to employment. We fixed up two days a week for him at the Royal Parks where he is loving it and they really value him too.’ If you would like to know more about HighGround’s work, they would really like to hear from you. Whether you fancy starting your own fencing business, smallholding, working in conservation, being a landscape gardener or managing a cider

orchard, there are stacks of opportunities for hard-working, enthusiastic people who don’t want to work in an office. HighGround receives no statutory funding and relies entirely on grant-making trusts and public donations. If you are interested in raising funds to help HighGround’s work, or know anyone who might be, please contact Anna at: anna@highground-uk.org. Major Kate Philp RA who came on our second pilot week said: ‘HighGround is a charity that simply wants to help, in whatever way it can. It recognises that many military people are outdoors types who, having served their country, may now wish to pursue a second career in the countryside.’ Whether you are interested in further education, contacts for possible employment opportunities or help with setting up your own business, HighGround is eager to assist. Visit: www.highground-uk.org

About Horticultural Therapy As well as providing opportunities for transition to the great outdoors, HighGround also provides horticultural therapy, delivered by Carol Sales on the occupational therapy team at Headley Court. Horticultural therapy uses gardening and plant-based activities as an adjunct to existing therapy programmes. HighGround delivers horticultural therapy for stillserving personnel who are recovering from service-related health issues in order to support the mainstream treatment processes involved with each Individual Recovery Plan set up and supervised by the Defence Recovery Capability. For more information visit www.highground-uk.org

Pilot rural week - Plumpton College Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

ÂťHorticulture

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January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 47

Greenfingers Charity helps injured veteran find his feet through gardening

‘I ENJOY BE G OUTDOORSIN DIDNT WANT SO JOB. EVEN THA DESK DISABLED, TH OUGH WERE DOINGE GUYS HARD LANDSCAPIN WHICH I THOU G WAS AMAZINGHT G.’

48 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

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»Horticulture BF The Soldiers’ Charity is the British Army’s National Charity, helping soldiers, veterans and families from every conflict. Established in 1944, their purpose was to ensure that the hardships endured by soldiers in the aftermath of 1914-18 were never repeated. Over the last 70 years, they have helped countless people from the Army family, defining their work through the Army’s own values of courage, loyalty and selflessness. One such example is that of Chris Parrott, 25, a former soldier from Derbyshire who was injured twice on two separate tours of Afghanistan. He was just 18 when he was first deployed with 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment in 2007. A bullet shattered his leg in a battle that claimed the lives of two comrades and injured 16 other soldiers. After being evacuated back to the UK and undergoing rehabilitation at Headley Court, he was deemed fit for active service so went on a second tour in 2009. Chris’s second injury occurred when fragments of a grenade entered his head through a gap between his helmet and glasses. Chris was fully conscious during the aftermath and recalls, ’I remember blood dripping down my face and all I could think was, not ******* again’. Back in the UK doctors told Chris that he needed a high-risk operation that he might not survive. Chris says, ‘I told my parents that if the op goes wrong then I don’t want to live, I don’t want to be a vegetable’. Fortunately the operation was a success but one lasting effect of the injury was Chris’s diagnosis with epilepsy. As a result he was medically discharged from the Army in 2011. Prior to leaving the Army, Chris went on a course to help identify job options in civilian life. He visited a home where disabled residents were doing gardening; he spent a few days helping them out and decided that this was a career path he’d like to pursue. ‘I enjoy being outdoors so didn’t want a desk job. Even though disabled, the guys were doing hard landscaping which I thought was amazing’. Chris therefore applied to do a two-year college course in horticulture. His studies were enabled by our Quick Reaction Fund, which covered essential costs including clothing, safety equipment and travel. The course gave Chris practical experience in the many different aspects of landscape gardening. Despite missing the camaraderie of the Army, Chris told us, ’It was a good course and The Soldiers’ Charity helped me out massively through this funding – they sorted out everything from the kit to the bus fare. Now I’ve finished the course I hope to

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Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty

get a job so I can carry on doing something that I’ve started to love’. Chris was an integral part of the landscaping team that built The Soldiers’ Charity’s ‘No Man’s Land’ garden at the 2014 Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show. Prior to the build, he worked closely with the nurseries, the garden designer Charlotte, and the horticultural therapist at Headley Court to learn about the plants that were used on the garden, and to see how fellow soldiers, currently going through rehab, were benefitting from the charity funded therapist. He even joined our designer for a trip to the Somme battlefields, a place that served as the inspiration for what the garden was created to commemorate. He says, ‘Going to the Somme was an incredibly moving experience; I couldn’t comprehend the fact that 20,000 soldiers were killed on the first day of battle. Today, the countryside is lush and green with wildflowers growing amongst the bomb craters. Even though I’ve seen my own share of bloodshed and battle, it makes it hard to imagine such devastation.’ This was an invaluable learning process for Chris and the new experience and skills he gained provided a vital boost to his CV. Chris reflected on his Chelsea Flower Show experience, and believes that it served as an emotional lesson about the challenges and hardships faced by soldiers following the First World War, and the importance of having charitable organisations such as The Soldiers’ Charity dedicated to the welfare and support of soldiers today: ’When you leave the Army, you have to adjust Chris Parrott

to a whole new way of life. In a way, it’s kind of like a No Man’s Land, as I know I felt a bit lost and quite alone. But I soon found my way, thanks to the support of my family and The Soldiers’ Charity’. Supporting ABF The Soldiers’ Charity ensures that men and women like Chris, and their families, continue to receive the support, education and training they deserve. Help people turn over a new leaf To donate, visit www.soldierscharity.org/donate ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is a registered charity in England and Wales (1146420) and in Scotland (SCO39189). Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (07974609). Registered Office: Mountbarrow House, 6-20 Elizabeth Street, London, SW1W 9RB

January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 49

LOOKING FOR A CAREER IN MARITIME SECURITY? Ambrey Risk is one of the largest international Private Maritime Security Companies providing a range of security services to commercial shipping and the oil and gas sector throughout the world.

Why should you choose Ambrey Risk: • Our deployed teams are drawn from all sectors of H M Forces • ELCAS providers delivering the essential City & Guilds Level 3 MSO course and the First Aid at Work incorporating FPOSi • High percentage of candidates who pass our MSO course are immediately put forward for deployment opportunities • Provides deployment opportunities to over 400 ex-military personnel • Offering Continued Professional Development with opportunities for promotion • Excellent financial returns • Flexible work patterns • International travel

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»Maritime & offshore

100+

Accredited courses on off er at AIS

Filling the skills gap in the offshore industry

AIS’s training events highlight industry need and opportunity n mid-November, dozens of military personnel, young people and business leaders got the chance to try out what working offshore might be like this week in a bid to tackle the industry’s skills shortages. Leading offshore trainer AIS opened the doors of its state-of-the-art training village in North Tyneside as part of OPITO National Oil and Gas Skills Week, to showcase the offshore sector as an exciting and viable career path. AIS hosted three dedicated events: one for young people aged 16–19, a second for business leaders and a third for military personnel from all over the UK. The response was overwhelming with more than 150 people turning up to find out more about the numerous opportunities offered by an offshore career. To help inspire and enthuse people, AIS provided the opportunity for visitors to have a go at sought-after skills such as surviving at sea, working at height and non-destructive testing.

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The events were also supported and attended by North East MP’s Catherine McKinnell, Alan Campbell and Mary Glinden, North Tyneside Council and leading industry bodies including OPITO, North East Chamber of Commerce, British Forces Resettlement Service and NOF Energy. Charlie Guthrie, marketing manager at AIS and event organiser, said: ‘Skills shortages remain a key challenge facing the offshore sector. At AIS we’re committed to developing people’s skills and competencies to fill these gaps and currently train more than 11,000 delegates every year at our 150,000 sq ft world-class training facility. ‘However, we also want to inspire future generations of offshore workers and one of the best ways to do this is to let people have a go themselves at some of the jobs and skills on offer. By allowing people to get a practical taste of what working offshore might be like and by showing them the wide range of offshore jobs available we are hoping that people will be motivated

and enthused to give an offshore career a go. After all, there are more than 100 accredited courses on offer at AIS which can lead to a huge variety of job roles. There really is something for everyone’. 17-year-old Poppy Fenwick from North Shields was one of the lucky youngsters at the AIS event. Poppy is currently studying engineering at Newcastle College and is hoping to go into the Subsea industry. She said: ‘I’ve always loved the sea and am currently a volunteer team member for the RNLI. It’s been absolutely amazing coming to AIS for this taster day. The facilities are incredible and you really get to experience what it might be like working on an offshore oil rig. Nowadays it’s vital to show employers that you have real experience and skills to offer them and I don’t think there’s any substitute for such realistic training which mirrors the type of work you’ll be doing. Trying out some of the facilities here has really confirmed my career choice and has made me even more determined to pursue a job in the offshore industry.’

January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 51

A day at the offshore training event During AIS’s offshore training week, an introduction day was held specifically for members of the Armed Forces community interested in offshore work. AIS approached the British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS) to assist with bringing the military community and offshore industry together. Thirty members from the TriServices attended the event and, with a number of toolbox talks and activities to get their hands on, an informative and action-packed day lay ahead. BFRS representative Robert Locking, a former Lance Corporal in the 23 Pioneer Regiment, was one of the attendees at the offshore training event. Here is his firsthand account of what it was like to learn just some of the essential skills required by an offshore worker...

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)

‘The NDT seminar was very informative. We were shown various ways that piping/ metals can be tested for external or internal damage. Lacquers or coloured sprays are applied, then an ultraviolet light will show any external damage not noticeable by the naked eye. For internal damage, we used ultrasound and electromagnetic devices which could measure the depth of the metal and respond to variances indicating possible flaws. We then produce drawings and diagrams of our findings as evidence for our final assessment.’

Survival

‘Learning your way around water is obviously an essential survival skill in the offshore industry! Survival training was very much the more enjoyable part of the day, with all attendees plunging into the offshore survival pool. After a short brief on equipment and the safety aspects involved, it was suits on and time to listen to the survival centre instructors. First up: how to dismount from a platform correctly, without putting yourself in a position where injury may be caused to you or your team. This caused problems for members of the BFRS team at first, but we quickly got the hang of it! ‘Once in the water, the attendees then had to make their way to the life raft. The technique taught to get in proved a lot harder than the instructor made it look! Next came the simulation of being lifted out of the life raft with the use of a winch and harness, which caused some discomfort for a few of the attendees. Two methods were used: the 52 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

double harness which lifts you in a sitting position, and the single harness which lifts you in an upright position. Finally we had the helicopter ditching. Four attendees at a time strapped themselves into the helicopter simulator then were plunged into the pool. Once the helicopter was fully submerged, those on board had to count to seven then make their escape to safety. I’m pleased to say we all survived!’

Working at Heights (Rope Work)

‘Working at heights is not for the fainthearted. After a short introduction to the kit, attendees were split into two groups. The first trained in climbing with the use of safety hooks with locking device; these were used to climb ladders and move around pipes and railings. The second group trained on the zip wire. Again, this was something that not all attendees were confident in trying – even after the instructor assured them that the rope could take up to 2.5 tons in weight!’

Working in Confined Spaces

‘This training proved to be more difficult than most expected, and involved feeling for holes, trapdoors and escape routes. To make this more of a team effort, a 30kg dummy was placed in the tunnels for the teams to rescue – so, not only did they have to crawl and slide, they also had to move the dummy with them! The confined spaces training zone is also used by the AIS to provide training in smoky environments.’ Robert added: ‘After a full day of seminars and practical exercises, there was a great buzz amongst the attendees, and the initial feedback was very positive. Everyone who attended gained valuable knowledge of the offshore industry.’ AIS offer a comprehensive portfolio of training, skills tests, competency assessments and health and safety courses endorsed by the world’s leading standardsetting bodies and trade associations. For more information about the courses BFRS took part in, and more than 90 other training courses, visit www.aisgroup.co.uk or call the team on 0844 800 1810. Want to attend similar events? Get the latest announcements by joining BFRS’s social network. Visit www.bfrss.org.uk and click ‘Join Now’ – it’s free. Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

ÂťMaritime & offshore

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January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 53

Riding the waves of transition A flotilla of job opportunities await at top naval defence firm alued supplier to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) BMT Defence Services is an established name in the world of defence procurement. The company continually supports various UK and international naval and land platform programmes through its dedication to being at the forefront of cutting-edge technology and science. A subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, the organisation has even been named as a Delegated Naval Authority by the MoD, no less. Maritime is a key part of any nation’s defence mechanisms, which is why the people who serve in this area can often be ideal candidates for roles in the industry once they eventually leave the Armed Forces. The opportunities which lie in BMT for those making such a transition can be viewed and explained no better than

‘BMT ARE ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR EXPERIENCED ENGINEERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WITH A MARINE BACKGROUND.’ by those currently there. Mark Sullivan, Senior Manager of Combat Systems at BMT, spent almost 30 years in the Royal Navy as a Weapon Engineer Officer on surface ships before making the move back into civilian life. He explained further about how he dealt with the massive change and the challenges he faced. He said: ‘The transition to any other discipline was quite daunting and I conducted extensive research to define the business avenues that were open to me. I already had contacts within BMT and approached one of them to take career advice, knowing that BMT Defence Services represented a business area in which I could add value. The advice I received was invaluable and this 54 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

led to an interview and the post that I took up in April 2012. ‘Within one month of joining the company my workload was already varied, demanding and rewarding, and I became a key member of the team driving the growth of our refreshed combat system capability. Within three months of joining I found myself working in Canada for one of our sister companies, BMT Fleet in Ottawa, on the Canadian Joint Supply Ship project. This brought with it increased responsibility but also great reward, giving me a clear view of our international capabilities. ‘At BMT Defence Services I continue to enjoy a wide range of challenging work. The collegiate atmosphere, camaraderie and work ethos are excellent and it is good to come to work in the morning and see well-motivated, committed people across the board.’ Based in Bath, Fareham and Weymouth, BMT Defence Services believe people are the greatest assets, and are dedicated to investing in talented individuals and placing highcalibre experts, such as systems engineers, naval architects and marine engineers, within their teams. What BMT ask for is not foreign to those serving the military. Strong interpersonal skills, the ability to offer first-class service and a self-starter, can-do attitude is ingrained within those men and women in the Forces, and BMT are always on the lookout for experienced engineers, particularly those with a marine background. Dai Faulconbridge is Senior Principal Submarine Engineer within the company and boasts a full career in the Royal Navy as a Submarine Marine Engineer Officer, serving latterly in engineering Staff Officer roles after a seagoing career in diesel and nuclear submarines. He also highlighted the qualities gained with the military which have gone on to serve him well

through his transition and beyond. He said: ‘During my service-leaver’s resettlement period I took advantage of the services provided by the Career Transition Partnership to refine my thinking on a second career and “life outside”. I soon realised that the opportunities provided by BMT Defence Services to work as a Bath-based Consulting Engineer would provide me with a wide variety of interesting and challenging technical work, a good quality of life, and the new skills to do business in the commercial context. Little did I realise that I would soon be working across the full range of the submarine lifecycle from design to disposal, Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

»Maritime & offshore

for a wide range of customers and previous colleagues in Defence Equipment and Support. I now have wider engagement with the technical and engineering support aspects of submarines than I did in the latter stages of my service career! This has given me great job satisfaction, a busy life and the realisation that a second career can develop very quickly with the agile approach used in industry. ‘I joined BMT as a Principal Engineer in 2009 and now work as Senior Principal Engineer in the Naval Engineering Submarines Team, with a primary role in managing delivery of the UK In-Service Submarines technical services. I also Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

support business development and other submarine-related work streams in the UK and for overseas customers, whilst operating as part of the Senior Management Team. We are growing the Submarines Team with a blend of ex-service submarine personnel, and experienced and graduate engineers. BMT is also a strong investor in people, through the provision of technical, leadership, management and business skills training. ‘Overall, BMT Defence Services is a great place to work, in that the support you need to do a good job is willingly provided within a strong team ethos. It is refreshing

that people know when to help you to deliver and that they do so willingly, and also that good work is well rewarded with recognition and responsibilities commensurate with your capabilities.’ BMT are no strangers to service-leaver events, and continue to attend throughout the year where those making the complicated transition can talk through career opportunities one-to-one with their recruitment officers. For more information on a career with BMT Defence Services, visit www.bmtdsl.co.uk/careers January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 55

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

Plan your transition in advance

Do your research!

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

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

Does your course qualify?

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

56 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

Get authorisation before the course starts

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

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

Think before you cancel or withdraw

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

Still in the Service?

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

ÂťELC 6

ELCs only cover 80% of each course

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

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

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

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

Taking courses in quick succession?

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

For second or third 7 claims

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

List your modules correctly

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

Retrospective ELC claims are not permitted!

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

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

Minimum 25 working days before course start/registration date

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

Complete Calim Form

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

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

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

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

Course start/ registration date

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

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

ELCAS check claim

Claim correct?

Refer to Learning Centre staff/ SSR if necessary

Contact learning Provider to secure place on course

Minimum 20 working days before course start/registration date

Claim correct?

Make necessary corrections/ actions

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

Yes Yes

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

Note: Claimants no longer in service must send their claim to their SSR - contact details on Ex-Service personnel page January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 57

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January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 59

Ultra performance Audi A5 Ultra TDI From £31,470

ltra is Audi’s brand name for its most efficient diesel models, which boast a range of technologies designed to lower running costs. The A5 Ultra blends all this efficiency with handsome styling, offering a

60 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

choice of a three-door coupé or five-door Sportback body. Underneath there’s a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine which delivers the same 163PS output as the engine it replaces, but retuned to produce maximum power at just 3000rpm and a thumping 400Nm of torque from 1750rpm. Add slightly lower suspension which helps to

reduce aerodynamic drag, and a manual gearbox chosen for its low internal losses and the A5 Ultra achieves 67.3mpg in the official fuel consumption test, with a CO2 [subscript –Ed.] figure of just 109g/km. That means low vehicle tax and low benefitin-kind tax for company car users, so it’s tax-efficient as well as fuel-efficient.

If you think all this concentration on efficiency will make the A5 Ultra unrewarding on the road, think again. The torquey engine makes progress effortless, pulling strongly even in high gears at low revs. Once the rev-counter needle passes 2000rpm there’s as much performance as anyone really needs – the Audi will dispatch Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

ANDREW NOAKES

Andrew Noakes tests Audi’s most efficient diesel model

»Motoring

140 MPH

TOP SPEED

the 0-62mph sprint in 8.3 seconds and it will go on to 140mph, which makes it just as quick as the ‘regular’ A5 2.0 TDI, which is the same price. But while the A5 Ultra has plenty of straight-line urge, it’s no sports car. On a twisty road it feels big and reacts slowly: instead it’s more suited to open A-roads and motorways, where Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

its stability and relaxed demeanour come to the fore. The engine is notably quiet and smooth for a four-cylinder diesel, and on the 17-inch wheels which are the only the choice available on the Ultra models, the ride quality is great. Like other Audis the A5 has an interior constructed from quality materials with a high standard of

finish. There’s more room in the back than most two-door cars, but the seats could be comfier and some drivers will be bothered by the twisted driving position forced by the way the pedals are offset from the centre line of the seat and steering wheel. The Ultra package comes in a base trim level and with limited options, so if you want to

personalise your car you need to look elsewhere. But it makes a lot of sense if you’re looking for a comfortable, good-looking car that provides a decent level of performance without costing a great deal to run, and without incurring high company car tax liabilities. It’s comfortable, refined and handsome – and efficient, too. January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 61

Competent rather than class-leading Ford’s smallest car offers decent ride quality Ford Ka

From £8945

his is a Ford built by Fiat: under the skin it’s largely the same car as the Fiat 500, and it’s built in the same factory in the Polish city of Tychy. But where the Fiat has deliberately retro styling inspired by a previous Fiat 500, the Ka looks unashamedly modern. In one area, at least, it isn’t as modern as you might think. Under the bonnet is a 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine which delivers 69PS, which makes the Ka sprightly enough around town. But it’s an old-school engine that’s a long way behind the modern 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo engine available in the bigger Fiesta, or the 1.0-litre twincylinder unit Fiat fits in the 500. Both these new engines

62 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

have more power, more character, and the potential for greater fuel economy if driven gently. On the road the Ka is easy to drive and park, but it isn’t as much fun to drive as the original 1990s Ka or Ford’s Fiesta and Focus, which have extraordinary composure on a twisty road. The Ka can’t match them. What it does offer, though, is decent ride quality for a small car: it does a good job of smoothing out broken city tarmac. Ford’s smallest car is competent rather than classleading, but there are lots of strong rivals like Hyundai’s i10 and Volkswagen’s up!. Ford’s hopes will be pinned on a new-generation Ka – designed and built in-house, this time, and featuring a more modern engine – which is due in a year or so. Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

»Motoring

Winter tyres

Snow problem

Are we heading for a big freeze? If so, here are 10 ways to stay mobile – and stay safe 1

Fit winter tyres

You’ll be amazed by the extra grip winter tyres offer when the weather is cold, giving you much better traction, steering and braking in the winter months. The extra cost is offset by saving wear on your summer tyres. 2

Get a grip

Snow socks are a good emergency tool to get you moving, and are much cheaper and easier to fit than old-fashioned tyre chains. Or keep a tyre spray like Bluecol’s Snow Grip in the boot – it can give your tyres just enough grip to get going, though it won’t last long.

Charge up 3

Your car’s battery is less efficient in cold weather, and if you mainly do short journeys it never gets properly charged. Use a battery charger to give it a boost: we like Ctek’s chargers because they are computer-conGo to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

trolled to avoid battery damage and are foolproof to use. See www.ctek.com

Get a check-up 4

Many car dealers offer good value winter checks to ensure your car will cope with the cold weather. Volkswagen dealers, for example, charge £20 to check and top up essential fluids and make sure the battery and alternator are working properly – and you get a free winter kit including screenwash, de-icer and an icescraper which is worth £20, plus a £20 voucher off the cost of a new battery.

Get the forecast

Choose a weather forecasting app or website that uses local weather data, like the BBC or Met Office. These are likely to give more accurate results for the UK. 6

Travel prepared

If there’s a chance of snow, carry some basic emergency gear in your car – warm

clothes, boots, snow shovel, blanket, rations, and a supply of any vital medications. Keep your phone well charged.

Have a plan B 7

Try to arrange another travel option in case your car won’t start or is snowed in. Make sure someone knows where you’re going and which route you’re taking. 8

Keep cool when de-icing

Don’t be tempted to de-ice your car with boiling water – you could crack the windscreen. Use a de-icing spray or a good old-fashioned scraper. Don’t leave your car unattended with the engine running – lots of cars are stolen that way. 9

so keep headlamps clean and clear of ice and snow. 10

Don’t let it slip

In icy conditions drive as smoothly as you can, using the lightest accelerator pedal pressure and the highest gear possible. That minimises the chance of wheelspin and a loss of control. If the car starts to slide in a corner, gently release the accelerator and straighten the steering until you feel you’re back in control. Snow chains

See and be seen

Clear ice from the whole windscreen and the side windows for best vision. Glass treatments can be used inside and out so water clears quickly and fogging is reduced. Remember the light fades early, January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 63

LEAVING THE ARMED FORCES?

RESERVES LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS 08456 00 32 22

www.royalnavy.mod.uk/navyreserves

AND EXPERIENCE ARE REQUIRED

Small torque This month’s motoring news ■■ James Bond will drive an Aston Martin in the 24th Bond film, ‘Spectre’, which began filming in December. The UK sports car company is building a bespoke model, the DB10, which will be used in the film. You can’t buy one, but the styling is said to give hints of the future direction of Aston design – in particular the replacement for the DB9, which is likely to be unveiled next year. ■■ Suzuki’s new city car, the Celero, goes on sale in February. It is said to offer excellent interior space and class-leading luggage capacity within an overall length of just 3.6m. At first the Celero will be available with a 1.0-litre threecylinder petrol engine and manual gearbox, but Suzuki says even more economical engines and an AGS automated gearshift are coming next summer. Celero starts from £7999. ■■ Ford has confirmed that a new Focus RS is on the way – and it will be one of 12 performance models to debut between now and 2020. ‘To earn the RS badge, the vehicle has to be a no-compromise driver’s car that can deliver exceptional performance on the track when required while providing excellent everyday driving,’ said Raj Nair, Ford’s product development chief. ■■ Jenson Button retains his place in Formula One for 2015, driving alongside Fernando Alonso in the McLaren team which will be using Honda power for the first time since 1992. ‘Being a part of newlook McLaren-Honda is a wonderful opportunity for all of us, and I am very pleased to have been invited to do my bit,’ said Button. ‘In fact, I am absolutely raring to go.’ ■■ Mini has revealed its most powerful car ever. The new John Cooper Works or ‘JCW’ Mini has 231PS, 10 per cent more than before. That brings the 0-62mph time down by 0.2 seconds to 6.3 seconds. With the optional Steptronic Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

Bondmobile Aston Martin DB10

Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso

JCW Mini

Bluecol Jumpstart Charger

automatic transmission it’s even quicker, and the Steptronic version also offers better fuel economy and lower emissions than before. The JCW is on sale in April starting at £22,865. ■■ Mazda has developed a new ‘bioplastic’ for car body parts, made from plant-derived materials. As well as reducing oil use and CO2 [subscript –Ed.] emissions, the new bioplastic is dyed rather than painted, eliminating emissions from the paint process, and can achieve a higher-quality mirror-like finish. The new material will debut on the new-generation Mazda MX-5 sports car in 2015. ■■ Bluecol’s new Car-to-Car Jumpstart Charger is an easy and foolproof alternative to jump leads. The device connects a car with a flat battery to a donor vehicle using their 12-volt sockets – wait about 20 minutes and the flat battery should be charged enough to start the car. It’s available now from ASDA and other retailers at £17.99. Andrew has been writing about cars and motorsport for 20 years, during which time he has tested everything from Citroen 2CVpowered three-wheelers to two-seat Formula 1 cars. Follow him on Twitter @ andrewnoakes January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 65

LIVING WORKING &

IN NORTH WALES

Thursday 12 February 2015 Glyndwr University Sports Hall, Wrexham. 1200 - 1500 hrs Over 60 exhibitors including: Local Government, Business and Commerce,

160X-Transition-GroupMailbox@mod.uk

Further information and register at:

e m ili s ntry E e Fre We co l

The Voluntary Sector

Education ■ Employment ■ Health ■ Housing ■ Welfare

FOR ALL SERVING PERSONNEL AND VETERANS

»Competition

WIN a luxury holiday for two to the Canaries With its relaxed and friendly atmosphere, the village-style resort of Sunset Bay Club is one of the best loved destinations in the Canaries. Situated at Torviscas, on the outskirts of cosmopolitan Playa de las Americas, this attractive, informal destination has two huge swimming pools surrounded by graceful palm trees and verdant subtropical shrubs. Simply sign-up to Equipped for your chance to win! Register at www.equippedmagazine.co.uk/quickregister To receive a second entry, send in a picture of yourself holding Equipped magazine or displaying the digital issue. If you win, we will publish your image.

The prize PICTURE COURTESY OF STEVE BURGOYNE

■■Flights from the UK to the Canaries for two people ■■Seven nights’ (3-10 April 2015) accommodation in Sunset Bay Club hotel See full T&Cs at www.equippedmagazine.co.uk Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

January 2015 | 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 | January 2015

Create mutually supportive relationships with social networking

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

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

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

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

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT PROGRAMME

Ser ved over 6 years?

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

Define the product

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

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

Research the market

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

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

EMPLOYMENT CONSULTANT LE D

ettlement Prepare Personal Res eer Consultant Plan (PRP with Car

• • • • •

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

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

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

Consultant supports ss and monitors progre

or Receives advice on tched job notification of ma opportunities

tions Makes job applica

ent Secures employm

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

Available to those vice with 4-6 years’ ser

Sell yourself on a face-to-face basis

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

For the most up to date information, please visit www.ctp.org.uk January 2015 | EQUIPPED | 69

»Letters

Letters to the editor we want to hear from you

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

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

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

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

facebook.com/ equippedmagazine

@equippedmag

Ask the experts

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

Harry Dean CEO and Founder, BFRS

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

70 | EQUIPPED | January 2015

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

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

Sian Richardson Career Master 4 Military

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

Dominic Hamberg Operations Manager, BFRS

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

CAREERS ADVICE & CV WRITING

MILITARY TRANSITIONS

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

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

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

Go to www.equippedmagazine.co.uk

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

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