YOUR HOME FOR EVERYTHING ELC January 2018
EYES ON THE PRIZE From Royal Marines to HR top performer Read Josh Keeley’s story on page 50
PLUS Access Diplomas Transition support
And get on course for these careers: Facilities management Project management
NEW SERIES How NOT to leave the Forces! page 58
A very happy new year to all readers and advertisers!
INCORPORATING COURSES 4 FORCES COURSES I FUNDING I CAREERS I RESETTLEMENT
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T
H
E
EDITOR A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL READERS OF QUEST incorporating COURSES
4 FORCES – and a warm welcome to our first issue of 2018. If you’ve already been with us a while, you’ll know that QUEST is the only ‘resettlement route finder’ you’ll need to guide you through the funding available to you, courses to spend it on and careers to work towards. If you’re a new recruit to these pages – whether you have already started on your resettlement journey or are still serving – we hope you’ll find QUEST the ideal new-year companion to a successful transition. Our first section – ‘Your ELC’ – gathers together all you need to know about claiming your ELC and how to get the most out of it. As well as detailed insight into the application and claims process, we also discuss how distance learning can help you in your quest to get qualified, and highlight higher-level study choices if that’s what you’re working towards. Talking of high-level achievements, Barney Polden, the subject of our HE success story this month, tells us how he used his ELCAS funding and gained a first-class degree in osteopathy. We also check out two career areas popular with both Service leavers and those still in uniform but already thinking ahead to the civilian workplace: facilities management and project management. And we find out how the Access to HE Diploma could help you ring the changes in 2018 with a higher-level education that you might have thought was out of reach. Our regular one-stop education and funding planner winds up the section, summarising your education and personal development opportunities, with ideas on improving your career prospects and pinpointing the funding available to help you fulfil your aims.
In part two – ‘Your resettlement’ – there’s our usual mix of inspiration and down-to-earth advice. To kick off, we hear about former Royal Marine Josh Keeley’s rapid rise through the ranks of the recruitment industry, while former Para Steve Plume tells us how Veterans charity and housing association, Stoll, gave him the firm foundation on which to build a new life. In the first of our new series on how not to leave the Forces, regular contributor Steve Bulleyment tackles the boring – but vitally important – subject of pensions. We’ve details of the new book by celebrated Para turned inspirational speaker, Robin Horsfall, The Words of the Wise Old Paratrooper, while – to further aid your resettlement prep – you’ll find full CTP course and events listings accompanied by our unique ‘Transition Factfile’, offering useful information from a range of sources. Everything you need to know, all in one place. At the centre of all this is ‘The Hub’, the place where you will find practical advice and information on courses and training options alongside reader reports and transition news. It may be a brand new year but some things remain reassuringly the same … QUEST is still your indispensible one-stop resource for essential support, funding, transition and career advice. So what’s new?!
For all the latest information, visit our website: questonline.co.uk
Lynn Brown Editor
Quest and the Quest logo are registered trade marks of
Bulldog Publishing Limited Unit B4, Beech House, Melbourn Science Park, Melbourn, Herts SG8 6HB Telephone: 01763 268120 email: info@questonline.co.uk www.questonline.co.uk EDITOR Lynn Brown MANAGING DIRECTOR Bruce Hodge ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER David Lidbury Account Managers Tony Heathfield Brian Tolworthy DISTRIBUTION Martin Sells DESIGN AND PRODUCTION CB Creative Limited Tel: 01223 750566 www.cb2creative.com MANAGING DIRECTOR Bruce Hodge Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of information at the time of going to press. The Publishers can take no responsibility for inaccuracies due to changes after that date, nor can they accept responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any material in this publication. Whilst every care is taken with artwork or film supplies, the Publishers cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage. The opinions expressed are those of the individual authors and not necessarily of the Publishers. All advertisements are accepted only on the grounds that they comply with the terms of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 and all other relevant legislation. Inclusion of an advertisement cannot be construed as an endorsement for the advertiser or the product by the Publishers, their employees or agents. The Publishers cannot accept responsibility for any transaction between readers and advertisers. © All rights reserved. Not to be resold, lent, hired-out or otherwise reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior permission of the Publisher. Quest and Bulldog Publishing Limited are registered under the Data Protection Act (1984) registration number PX4096798
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January 2018
3
JANUARY 2018 >>
Contents YOUR ELC
06 ELC 101: the basics 08 Are you eligible for ELC? 10 How to use your ELC funding 12 How to claim if you are still serving 14 How to claim after leaving 16 Avoiding queries or rejection 18 ELC dos and don’ts 20 Higher-level study 22 HE success story: Rising Star of osteopathy, Barney Polden 24 Distance learning 27 Qualifications to further your Service career 28 On course: Facilities management 32 On course: Project management 38 The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma 42 Education and funding planner 44 Useful contacts
THE HUB 46 Course and training options, transition news and reader reports
YOUR RESETTLEMENT
50 Success story: inspiration from the civilian workplace. This month, former Royal Marine turned recruitment top performer, Josh Keeley 54 Transition support: how Stoll is helping vulnerable Veterans 56 Book review: The Words of the Wise Old Paratrooper 57 Trainers in focus: Trade Skills 4U 58 How not to leave the Forces: pension planning 60 CTP courses and events 62 Transition factfile
4
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
32
06
28 22
57
50
questonline.co.uk l January 2018
5
Q
YOUR ELC ELC BASICS
ELC 101 The basics
S
ubject to certain eligibility criteria (see page 8), the ELC scheme offers currently serving
or former Service personnel access to a first full level 3 (GCE A-level or vocational equivalent) or a first higher education (HE) qualification (e.g. a foundation degree or a first undergraduate degree or equivalent) free from tuition fees. Here’s the basic information you need to know … l
The ELC lower tier offers up to three payments of up to £1,000 in three separate financial years; the higher tier offers up to three payments of up to £2,000 in three separate financial years.
l
Service activities will usually meant
combination of both higher and lower
learning of at least 20% of the cost
that no further claims will be allowed.
levels.
(the ELC element includes VAT but
ELC may be claimed for the same
excludes travel, accommodation, food,
compassionate reasons cause your
learning course if it continues for more
books and materials).
withdrawal, you should seek advice
You must discuss your plans with
from your Education Staff or Learning
purpose each year.
your line manager and education
Adviser.Q
If one course combines with others for
adviser before making any financial
combined to claim ELC.
l
l
l
If unexpected Service or
commitment. l
ELC are available for full- or part-time
A new ELC award was created in 2016.
study for a qualification at level 3 or
It’s an aggregated lower-tier award,
above, as defined on the NQF or SCQF,
which is a single payment of up to
with an organisation on the approved
£3,000 for those with six or more
providers list maintained by ELCAS.
years of qualifying service, which will
l
count as all three awards.
− – Service training
The PF FE/HE scheme provides
You may not claim ELC for:
− – civilian accredited Service training
Service leavers and Service personnel
(unless at least 30 hours extra work
in their qualifying resettlement phase
is involved, together with a separate
ELC SCHEME: LATEST STATS
exam, assessment or assignment)
From its inception until the end of
with access to a first full level 3 or a first HE qualification (a foundation
− – membership fees
October 2017, 383,255 people had
degree or a first undergraduate
− – books and materials
registered with the ELC scheme and
degree or equivalent) with support
− – normal Service sport and
134,119 claims had been made, to the
towards tuition fees.
6
Withdrawal once payment has been made due to foreseeable postings/
l
a single learning purpose these can be l
l
You must make a contribution to your
than a year, or for a different learning l
Only one ELC claim can be made in any one financial year (April to March).
to run consecutively, and may be a
l
l
The three separate years do not have
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
adventurous training.
value of £212.6 million.
Readers must consult their Single Service Advisors BEFORE committing to courses When responding to advertisements please mention Quest
questonline.co.uk l January 2018
7
Q
YOUR ELC ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Are you eligible for ELC?
Take a look at the eligibility rules below to find out … l
All Regular Service Personnel (SP)
have left the Service or entered your
day of service, you will be eligible to claim
currently in service will be auto-
qualifying resettlement phase on or
ELC at the higher tier (£2,000), subject to
enrolled on the ELC scheme, as will
after 17 July 2008
meeting the other conditions associated
meet UK residency requirements to
with the scheme.
future SP on completion of their Phase 1 training. l
l
What about if you are medically
both ELC lower-tier and FEHE awards
medically discharged from service before
discharged?
increased from four to six years as
achieving the required number of years’
You are eligible to claim ELC at the lower
of 1 April 2017. If you had already
service. If this is the case, please seek
(£1,000) or higher (£2,000) tier depending
accumulated four years’ qualifying
advice from your unit education staffs.
on your length of service on the date of
In detail …
award and FEHE.
When can you start claiming ELC?
of service, you may be eligible to make
If you left service on or after 1 April
You can start claiming when you have
claims at the lower-tier rate if the injury
2016, you are entitled to post-service
accumulated the necessary qualifying
or illness was caused or significantly
access to ELC and FEHE for five years.
years of service. For example, if you
worsened, wholly or predominantly by
If you left between 1 April 2011 and 31
registered on the ELC scheme and have
service, as defined by the Armed Forces
March 2016 inclusive, you will have
been serving since 1 April 2000, you will
Compensation Scheme (JSP765).
until 31 March 2021 to use your ELC or
have been entitled to start claiming at the
FEHE (i.e. five years from March 2016).
£1,000 level from 1 April 2004 and at the
What if you are no longer serving?
If you left before 1 April 2011, you
£2,000 level from 1 April 2008. As noted
If you have already left the Service or are
will retain ten years of post-Service
above, from 1 April 2017, the qualifying
in your resettlement phase, you may be
access.
service for lower-tier awards increased
eligible to claim under the terms of the
from four to six years. However, if you
Publicly Funded Further Education/Higher
accumulated four years’ qualifying service
Education (PF FE/HE) scheme. Take a look
before 1 April 2017, you will still be able to
at the feature on page 14 to find out more –
claim your lower-tier awards.
or, for full details and to check the detailed
must:
l
have completed four years of full-time
discharged prior to completing six years
eligibility rules, visit
service or, since 1 April 2017, six years
What happens if you are made redundant?
have joined – or since April 2016
Irrespective of whether or not you applied
been automatically enrolled – on the
to be made redundant, you will cease
Find out more
scheme and completed four years’ or,
to accrue service for ELC eligibility on
Much more detailed information is
from 1 April 2017, six years’ qualifying
the day you leave service. If you have
available in JSP822, which can be
scheme membership
accrued six or more years’ service since
downloaded from the ELCAS website at
apply only for a first eligible FE/HE
registering on the scheme by your last day
www.enhancedlearningcredits.com Q
qualification at the level for which you
of service, you will still be eligible to claim
are academically qualified to enter
ELC at the lower tier (£1,000). If you have
learning on leaving the Service
accrued eight or more years’ service since registering on the scheme by your last
8
discharge. Additionally, if you are medically
your entitlement to use ELC lower-tier
To take advantage of ELC support, you
l
qualify for full state subsidy. Special eligibility criteria apply if you were
In brief … l
l
The qualifying service required for
service before 1 April 2017, you keep
l
l
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
www.enhancedlearningcredits.com
Readers must consult their Single Service Advisors BEFORE committing to courses When responding to advertisements please mention Quest
Tel: 01380 609313 Email: barrie@inspired2learn.co.uk
Are you ready to boost your career prospects with a qualification? ILM Coaching & Mentoring (levels 3,5 & 7) CMI Management & Leadership (levels 3 to 7) Help your next career move by achieving a reputable and nationally recognised qualification by distance learning. Contact us now for advice, and to find out how our great value package will provide you with unlimited, prompt and expert tutorial support every step of the way.
Find out more about us at: www.inspired2learn.co.uk Quest March 2016 Final_2016 07/03/2016 09:26 Page 11
Readers must consult their Single Service Advisors BEFORE committing to courses When responding to advertisements please mention Quest
questonline.co.uk l January 2018
9
Q
YOUR ELC SPENDING OPTIONS
How to use your ELC funding When your claim’s approved, there’s a wide choice of where to spend your funding
E
LC are available for full- or part-
l
foundation degrees
time study for a qualification at
l
postgraduate qualifications
level 3 or above, as defined on the
l
other academic qualifications
National Qualifications Framework/
l
professional self-development
Regulated Qualifications Framework (NQF/
l
accreditation of prior learning
RQF),* with an organisation
l
vocational training
on the approved providers list held by
l
registration and accreditation fees
ELCAS and viewable at
l
sports qualifications
www.enhancedlearningcredits.com It could
l
overseas qualifications
be an A-level, or an NVQ 3 or equivalent
l
resettlement training (during last two
award. You may also use ELC to fund
years of service only).
CHOOSING A COURSE Before deciding on a course, you should consider: l its relevance to your personal development plan l your ability to undertake it l likely disruptions to Service requirements l the flexibility of the study method.
* The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) is
anything above that, too, like university
To find out more about accessing higher-
replacing the Qualifications and Credit Framework
modules or nationally recognised diplomas.
level study in particular, take a look at our
(QCF) from 1 October 2015 onwards. Ofqual expects
This might include:
feature on page 20.
the QCF to expire on 31 December 2017.
Certified Network Cable Installer (CNCI®) Resettlement Program
www.cnet-training.com/resettlement
20 Days = 5 Days Copper Cabling | 5 Days Fibre Cabling | 10 Day Work Placement
The Certified Network Cable Installer (CNCI®) is the perfect program to start your new career within the network cable installation industry, it provides two qualifications, official certification and eligibility for an Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) Datacomms Specialist card - a must to allow you to work on-site.
Everything you need to start a new and successful career
The CNCI® program includes 5 days copper cabling and 5 days fibre cabling, and Service Leavers also gain a 10 day Work Placement, allowing actual on-the-job experience which has the potential to turn into employment.
u 20 day program u 5 days of copper installation u 5 days of fibre installation u 10 days of work placement u Gain two industry recognised level 3 qualifications
Call us to find out how you could benefit from joining the Network Infrastructure Sector +44 (0)1284 767100
u Gain official certification
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January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
Readers must consult their Single Service Advisors BEFORE committing to courses When responding to advertisements please mention Quest
Insight into the UK Surveillance Industry As the leading provider of covert surveillance and investigations, The Surveillance Group would like to offer military personnel the opportunity to attend a free Insight Day, to discover more about the surveillance industry. 26th
Upcoming Dates in 2018:
January, 23rd February, 23rd March
Early booking will avoid disappointment, so to confirm your attendance please contact Lee on 0800 5870170 or visit our website: www.thesurveillancegroup.com
W Woodward SHE Ltd.
W W Your Training - Your Entitlement - Your Future
5 NEBOSH Certificate Quals 1 ELC Claim Only from WOODWARD
Now taking course bookings for Spring 2018 in Catterick.
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Resettlement Courses Also Available at Our Training Venues in Edinburgh and Carlisle.
Telephone ~ Sharon on 01228 - 592614 email ~ info@woodwardgroup.co.uk
www.woodwardgroup.co.uk
APPROVED BY MoD IN SUPPORT OF THE ELC SCHEME
ELC
E LC Logo 4435
PROVIDER NUMBER
questonline.co.uk l January 2018
11
Q
YOUR ELC HOW TO CLAIM YOUR ELC
Making an application Your step-by-step guide
1. Read Joint Service Publication JSP822 – Defence Direction
and Guidance for Training and Education.
8. Do not leave everything until the last minute. Allow time for any new publicly funded providers to be accepted on to the
2. Think about what fits your personal development plan and your future.
scheme, as the registration process can take several weeks. Once they have been accepted, you can submit an application
3. Discuss this with your line manager and education/learning
to study with them. 9. Providers are expected to waive any initial registration fee,
staff. 4. Get the necessary approval to enrol.
so don’t pay any of your own money towards the cost of their
5. Go to the ELCAS website at
tuition fees – if you do, it will not be refunded.
www.enhancedlearningcredits.com and complete the ELC application form online.
10. You must submit a separate claim form for each year of a course – if you don’t, it could result in support being
6. Check the ELCAS database of approved providers to see if the course you wish to enrol on is allowable under the rules. 7. If you wish to use a provider that is not on the list, ensure they
withdrawn. 11. Start learning, and make the most of your life! ELCAS has produced a useful flow diagram to sum up the claims
are eligible to participate in the scheme (they must deliver
process. You can find this in the Annex at the end of JSP822,
publicly funded FE/HE) and ask them to apply for scheme
which can be downloaded from the ELCAS website at
membership using the information on the ELC website.
www.enhancedlearningcredits.com Q
Safe departures take more than pilots; train to become an
Operations Officer or Flight Dispatcher
Open Learning Courses with ELCAS funding
Airline Operations and Dispatch Airport Operations APPROVED BY MoD IN SUPPORT OF THE ELC SCHEME
E LC
PROVIDER NUMBER
1009
12
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
www.avtech2000.co.uk
01452 722528
PGL TRAINING LTD www.pgltraining.com
WORK PLACEMENTS AVAILABLE
New 5 week City and Guilds Level 3 ELCAS funded package in Property Maintenance including, Bricklaying, Carpentry, Plastering, Plumbing and Tiling Work Experience with MJ Stevens
PLUMBING
ELECTRICAL
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APPROVED BY MoD IN SUPPORT OF THE ELC SCHEME
E LC
PROVIDER NUMBER
2181
CONSTRUCTION
An exciting opportunity for work experience and placements for Plumbing / Electrical students with our partners Clearvac Group in Marine Engineering, two week trips worldwide on board Cruise Ships and Super Yachts.
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For more information, contact us on
01392 437373 Clyst Works, Clyst Road, Topsham, Exeter, Devon, EX3 0DB
Q
YOUR ELC HOW TO CLAIM AFTER LEAVING
No longer serving? Here’s how to claim your ELC if you have left the Services
A
Note: You should contact your SSR with questions only if you have been unable to find the answer to your query on the ELCAS website at www.enhancedlearningcredits. com (this also has a useful FAQs page).
lthough the main purpose of ELC
evidence of your last day of Service,
Royal Navy
is to encourage serving personnel
which could be a copy of your discharge
ELC Manager, Mailpoint 3.3, Leach Building,
to pursue higher-level learning that
document, a copy of your P45
Whale Island, HMS Excellent, Portsmouth
benefits both the learner and the Armed
terminating employment or a document
PO2 8BY
Forces, it also allows level 3-plus learning
stamped by your regiment confirming
02392 625954
to be pursued during resettlement or for
your leaving date**
NAVYTRGHQ-EL3RRESETSO3C@mod.uk
up to five years after leaving the Services.*
l
The majority of this learning is likely to be vocational (learning new skills or enhancing
address
Army
full information about the course you
Learning Credit Scheme (LCS) Manager,
wish to undertake and including details of
Education Branch Zone 4, Floor 2, Army
benefiting the learner and a future employer
your registration date where applicable.
Personnel Services Group, Home Command,
First of all, refer to the eligibility
l
a copy of a utility bill showing your home
existing ones), with the qualification and, nationally, adding to the UK’s skills base.
On receipt of the CAN, you can proceed
Ramillies Building, Army HQ
with payment by sending it, along with your
Monxton Road, Andover SP11 8HJ
criteria listed on page 8. To make a claim,
20% minimum contribution, to the training
Tel: The Army ELC helpline is currently
download the appropriate form from the
provider.
closed until further notice; during this time
ELCAS website and complete it fully, except
When you have completed your course,
all enquiries are to be made by email elc@detsa.co.uk
for Parts 4 and 5 – your Single Service
you must also complete the evaluation form
Representative (SSR) will complete these
and return it to ELCAS. If you do not do this it
elements (you will find their contact details in
could jeopardise your next claim. If you have
Royal Air Force
the accompanying box). Send your otherwise
any doubts about any aspect of this process,
Learning Credits Administrator,
fully completed claim form to them at the
contact your single-Service education/
Accreditation and Education Wing, RAF
relevant address (again, see box), along with:
learning representative for advice before
Central Training School, HQ 22 TrgGp, Room
submitting a claim. Q
221B, Trenchard Hall, RAF College, Cranwell
IMPORTANT!
14
WHERE TO SEND CLAIMS IF YOU ARE NO LONGER SERVING
NG34 8HB
All applications must be submitted to
*If you left the Service before 31 March 2016, please
01400 268 183
SSRs for approval at least 25 clear
refer to JSP822 at www.enhancedlearningcredits.com
Michael.Quainton100@mod.gov.uk
working days prior to the start of the
for the expiration date of your claims.
course you wish to take. They will
** If you were in the RAF, you can request a copy of
then submit approved applications to
your discharge document from the RAF Disclosures
ELCAS. You should not submit your
team at www.raf.mod.uk/links/contacts.cfm Army
claim form direct to ELCAS.
personnel can request details of discharge dates from the Army Personnel Centre by calling 0845 6009663.
l
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
APPROVED BY MoD IN SUPPORT OF THE ELC SCHEME
E LC 4436
PROVIDER NUMBER
Q
YOUR ELC HOW YOU CAN HELP
Avoiding queries or rejection How you can help things to run smoothly
E
LCAS deals with many claims that
minimum criteria (level 3 or above on the
and research and discuss your learning with
have to be queried or rejected: almost
NQF or RQF) or the learning provider is
your line manager and Service education or
not on the ELCAS approved providers list
learning adviser. This also applies if you are
failure to follow the correct procedure for
a qualifying ex-Service person using your
authorising the claim
ELC. The 25-working-day margin is in place
the course not commencing in the
for good reason. If you don’t plan far ahead
qualifying financial year
enough you could find yourself significantly
incorrect financial data, such as the
out of pocket as retrospective claims are not
authorisation note (CAN) from ELCAS
learner’s contribution being less than
allowed under any circumstances.
learners failing to allow sufficient time
20% or the MoD’s contribution calculated
20% of claims received fail to comply
with the correct procedures. Some of the
l
main reasons for rejection include: l
applicants enrolling on a course – and
l
sometimes paying a fee – without first obtaining the necessary claims l
l
as exceeding the ELC award
offered by an approved provider are
incomplete details or errors in course title
automatically admissible under the ELC
so any claim submitted within 25 working
or course level (these account for 25% of
scheme. This is a common mistake: one
days of the start of the course will
all rejected/queried claims)
provider may supply many courses, but only
applicants not registered on the ELCAS
those approved courses at NQF/RQF level 3
system
or above (and equivalent) listed on the ELCAS
more than one active claim being
website may be considered for ELC purposes.
between submitting a claim and starting a course – this takes at least five weeks,
automatically be rejected l
form for the previous claim has been completed – such claims are also
16
l
l
a second or third ELC claim being submitted before the course evaluation
l
Also, do not assume that all courses
l
processed for an individual in the same l
plan ahead and get it right first time
automatically rejected
To help avoid rejection on grounds such as
l
don’t buck the system or pay upfront
the course does not meet the necessary
those listed above, you should plan ahead,
l
complete your claim with care! Q
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
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Q
YOUR ELC ELC DOS AND DON’TS
ELC dos and don’ts Do: l
it out on the ELCAS website at www.
your studies; if you don’t, and can’t
enhancedlearningcredits.com
provide evidence that you completed
ensure the training is delivered by an
the course, your future claims will be
Publication JSP822 – Defence Direction
approved ELC provider if using your
denied.
and Guidance for Training and
Individual Resettlement Training Cost
Education, which can be downloaded
(IRTC) grant along with ELC to fund a
Don’t:
from the ELCAS website at www.
nationally recognised qualification at
l
enhancedlearningcredits.com
level 3 or above
to course providers until you have
consult your education, learning,
received a claim authorisation note
make sure you understand the regulations – see Joint Service
l
l
consult your education/learning staff
l
training and/or resettlement adviser if
personal development plan
you aren’t sure of the best way to use
plan ahead, leaving at least 25 days
funding for your resettlement training
provider status means that the entire
remember that the scheme operates a
portfolio of a provider’s courses meets
l
(CAN) l
automatically assume that approved
needing to book a course
strict ‘three hits and you’re out’ policy;
be prepared to provide evidence that
if you are eligible and have used the
the course you would like to do is at
Aggregated Lower Tier award you will
financially without having first obtained
least level 3 (or equivalent) on the
not be able to use it again, so think
approval from your own Service and a
National Qualifications Framework (NQF) or Qualifications and Credit
l
commit any payment contributions
and line managers to discuss your
between submitting a claim and l
l
the level 3 requirement l
carefully before submitting a claim l
inform your Education Staff,
enrol on a course or commit yourself
CAN from ELCAS l
enrol on a course with a new provider
Framework (QCF),* and that it directly
Learning Adviser or Single Service
who is awaiting ‘approved’ status;
benefits the Service (unless your claim
representative if your last day in
wait until this has definitely been
is resettlement-related during your last
service alters from that originally
achieved – if this takes too long, look on
two years of serving)
stated
the ELCAS website for an alternative
complete and return the evaluation
provider. Q
ensure the course provider has approved provider status by checking
l
questionnaire when you’ve finished
* The QCF is being replaced by the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) from 1 October 2015 onwards. Ofqual expects the QCF to expire on 31 December 2017.
18
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
Readers must consult their Single Service Advisors BEFORE committing to courses When responding to advertisements please mention Quest
.................................................
Performance People Ltd The Coach House 10 Townsend Road Shrivenham Oxfordshire SN6 8AS
APPROVED BY MoD IN SUPPORT OF THE ELC SCHEME
E LC
PROVIDER NUMBER
3015
Specialist training & qualification in Coaching & Mentoring and Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) Coaching & mentoring have been buzzwords for some time now and are proven to have benefits related to improved performance, enhanced learning & getting the best out of people. Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) has been variously described as the “new technology of achievement”. As a common-sense system of everyday psychology it has enhanced millions of lives by showing people how to monitor and adapt their thinking, cultivate more useful inner beliefs, and develop the skills and strategies to more easily achieve their outcomes. Combined, the many benefits of coaching, mentoring & NLP are now wellrecognised in the contexts of training, management and leadership, whilst specialist training & qualification offers a powerful framework for personal, professional & organisational development. Performance People are a niche consulting company: passionate about people & dedicated to people performance. As specialists in the areas of performance, learning, communication & change, we offer a powerful range of solutions & services with which to unlock people potential & maximise people performance. As ex-Service people ourselves, who are engaged as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) on a number of Defence contracts, we have a true understanding of the military mindset, a great respect for the military ethos, and a real passion for helping military people get the very best from themselves. As an approved Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) Scheme provider our comprehensive range of coaching, mentoring & NLP qualifications & certifications, includes: • ILM L5 Certificate / Diploma Coaching & Mentoring • ILM L7 Certificate / Diploma Executive Coaching & Mentoring • NLP Practitioner (ABNLP) & NLP Practitioner Coach (ANLP) • NLP Master Practitioner (ABNLP) & NLP Master Practitioner Coach (ANLP) Any person, team or organisation interested in developing themselves or other people with coaching, mentoring or NLP is invited to contact Mark Woodhouse on 07976-821333 or email their enquiry to mark@performancepeople.org. We look forward to speaking soon and any opportunity of helping with your performance, learning & development.
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11 questonline.co.uk l January 2018
Resettlement Guide 2016 / www.questonline.co.uk
19
Q
YOUR ELC HIGHER-LEVEL STUDY
Aim higher! Higher education at a college or university is about more than just degree courses – it offers a range of options, including Higher National Certificates and Diplomas (HNCs and HNDs), and foundation degrees, all of which generally have a more vocational slant. So, if you’re ready to step up to the next level, HE could be the option for you.
I
f you’re thinking of embarking on a
no good at it, you’re unlikely to end up with
(generally academic) and further education
higher education (HE) qualification
a good qualification at the end of it – and
(FE) (often vocational) can be unclear.
that’s great – you can use your ELC
may even fail altogether.
Credits from a selection of courses can
to fund anything above level 3, and that
often be added together to gain degrees
about the qualifications you already have
recognised diplomas. Other HE courses
and the subjects/areas you have a flair for.
open to you for consideration include
Other things you might want to think about
via distance learning. The difference
diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, foundation
include the course provider’s academic
between these is not always clear-cut,
degrees and postgraduate qualifications.
reputation (you can find university league
though, and in some cases (e.g. foundation
The only problem you are likely to have is
tables and subject ranking tables online),
degrees), both types are involved. Many
in deciding exactly what and how to study!
its graduate employment rates, and links
qualifications are modular; this means that
between the university or college and
you complete them in sections (modules),
employers.
often of your own choosing, and credits
Choosing an HE course You may already have a pretty good idea
Having decided what you want to study,
and other HE qualifications. Both HE and FE courses can be taken
gained from a selection of such courses
of what you’d like to study at a higher
you will be faced with a variety of ways of
can be gathered together to ‘add up’ to
level but, if you’re unsure, our advice is to
studying it.
degrees and other HE qualifications.
the subject you are considering, especially
How do HE courses differ?
access support under the FEHE scheme to
if it’s something new to you. So do your
The most basic difference is between the
commence studies at master’s level but
research, and ensure you know exactly
levels of courses. While most HE courses
they can utilise their ELC for study at this
what a course is offering you – topic areas,
lead to a degree, some lead to sub-degree
level.
what the modules will cover, etc. Whatever
qualifications such as a Higher National
else you take in to consideration, it goes
Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma
popular higher-level course options you
without saying that you must have a strong
(HND) or a foundation degree. In general,
could choose from …
interest in the subject and the course
such courses will be shorter than a degree
content, as you will be spending three
course, more vocationally orientated and
years or more occupied with it, which won’t
will have lower entry requirements. Some
be much fun if it turns out you’re not that
will be linked to degree courses, though,
struck with it after all!
giving you the option of progressing to a
TO HELP YOU CHOOSE …
degree if you perform well enough on the
Which? University is a free and
early parts of the course.
independent website packed with
make sure you understand the nature of
You are also likely to do better at a course if you already have an aptitude for the subject. It might be a really fascinating
20
It’s a good idea to start by thinking
includes university modules and nationally
With many qualifications being earned
Please note that Service leavers cannot
Here’s a rundown of some of the other
everything you need to find the right
course, which promises to lead to a host of
through students completing a number
university course for you. See
career openings, but if it turns out you’re
of modules, the distinction between HE
http://university.which.co.uk
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
Higher national certificates (HNCs) and higher national diplomas (HNDs)
already completed a bachelor’s degree. Most types of postgraduate qualification
SOURCES OF ADVICE
will include taught and research elements.
Your line manager should be your
HNCs and HNDs are work-related
They generally fall into one of two
first point of contact. Each unit has
(vocational) HE qualifications. While
categories: postgraduate certificate or
an education/learning specialist, and
bachelor’s degrees (see below) tend to
postgraduate diploma.
each Service also has a network of
focus on gaining knowledge, HNCs and
educational and learning centres
to put that knowledge to effective use in a
Think you’re missing the necessary basics?
particular job. Highly valued by employers,
If you aren’t already in possession of
both in the UK and overseas, they can also
the lower-level qualifications you would
count towards membership of professional
normally need to build on in order to
bodies and other employer organisations.
secure your place on an HE course, the
ELC funding for higher education
HNCs can take one year to complete full-
Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma
The good news is that your ELC provides
time and two years part-time (or via, say,
– often referred to by its shorthand form,
you with access to a first full level 3 or
distance learning). HNDs take two years
Access Diploma – could be for you. You
a first HE qualification (e.g. foundation
full-time and can also be taken part-time
can find out all you need to know about
degree, first undergraduate degree
(which takes longer). (The award of an HND
Access Diplomas in our feature starting
or equivalent) free from tuition fees.
requires more units to be passed than for
on page 38. It’s a qualification that
This commitment means that Service
an HNC.) They equate to approximately
prepares people for study at university,
leavers who have joined at level 2, say,
halfway between an A-level and a degree,
and is designed for those who would like
and have taken the opportunity to gain
although they are, as mentioned above,
to study in HE but who left school without
a qualification such as an advanced
more practically based than the latter.
the usual qualifications, such as A-levels.
apprenticeship, or other accredited
It is widely accepted by universities and
learning at level 3 or equivalent, may now
Foundation degrees
colleges, having been developed with their
be able to access their first higher-level
Foundation degrees combine learning with
support, and is designed to provide a good
qualification.
work experience if you decide you want
grounding in the knowledge and study
to ‘earn while you learn’. The equivalent
skills needed to succeed in HE. Although
– Defence Direction and Guidance for
of two-thirds of a full honours degree,
equivalent to A-levels, Access Diploma
Training and Education, which can be
this is a fully flexible qualification that
courses are put together with people who
accessed and downloaded at www.
allows you to study full- or part-time to
haven’t studied for a while in mind – and
enhancedlearningcredits.com Q
fit your lifestyle. On passing, you will gain
most don’t require prior qualifications.
240 ‘points’ towards a full degree course,
Many are suitable for study part-time or in
and full account will be taken of any prior
the evenings, which adds to their flexibility.
learning and experience you have accrued,
Most FE colleges in England and Wales
COURSE FINDERS Full- and part-time courses
too. Recent developments, including
offer such Access courses, and a number
l
Unistats: http://unistats.direct.gov.uk/
university partnerships and funding, make
are available through distance learning,
Compare official course data from
these qualifications increasingly available
so you should be able to find a course that
universities and colleges, including
to people in the Services.
is convenient for you, and that caters for
student satisfaction and jobs after
your interests or career ambitions. You
study (you have to apply to the college
Degree courses
can find out more about Access to HE
or university direct)
A bachelor’s degree is a course of HE
courses, browse courses and read success
l
UCAS: http://search.ucas.com
academic study leading to a qualification
stories on the Access to Higher Education
Search and apply for full-time courses
such as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor
homepage at www.accesstohe.ac.uk
HNDs are designed to give you the skills
of Science (BSc). They are sometimes
where advice can be sought and ideas explored.
Full details can be found in JSP822
by course name, provider name or location
known as ‘ordinary’ or ‘first’ degrees.
How to learn
A bachelor’s degree is designed to give
Qualifications can be earned through
learners a thorough understanding of a
full-time courses, part-time courses, day
subject, and usually takes three or four
release, night school, open and distance
years to complete full-time (some degrees,
learning (see the feature on page 24 of this
such as medicine, can take five or six
issue). There will usually be more times
years).
when students get together for joint study
Postgraduate study
periods in open learning, with distance
l
Postgraduate qualifications
learning generally catering for students
Postgraduate qualifications are HE
who are so far away that they study almost
qualifications that require learners to have
entirely by themselves.
l
National Careers Service: https:// nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/ advice/courses/Pages/default.aspx
Search for full- and part-time courses
Prospects: www.prospects.ac.uk/ postgraduate-courses
l
Postgraduate Search: www.postgraduatesearch.com
questonline.co.uk l January 2018
21
Q Hands-on higher education success YOUR ELC HIGHER-LEVEL STUDY
Barney Polden graduated from the College of Osteopaths in 2017 with a first-class degree and was nominated by the College for the Institute of Osteopathy’s (iO) Rising Star award. Here’s Barney’s back story …
appreciative of all the support
W
and tuition that I hile completing
have received from all
his degree with
the tutors, clinicians and
the College of
staff. I have met so many lovely and
Osteopaths, Barney Polden
interesting people at the College,
continued to serve with the
which I believe reflects the good
Royal Air Force, working as a
nature of everyone who decides to get
professionally Chartered Aircraft
involved with osteopathy. The Rising
Systems Engineer (CEng), having
Star award has renewed my
previously gained a master’s
commitment and passion for
degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Barney has a passion for and interest in health and fitness. His background is in military fitness, competitive and extreme sports (water
necessary.
polo, snowboarding, windsurfing and
This was a key factor
kitesurfing). He also loves taking part in
in Barney’s decision to
endurance events for charity. However,
study at the College of
taking part in such activities is not
Osteopaths as he wished to
without risk, and Barney’s knowledge
continue his Service with the
and appreciation of, and interest in, the
RAF while he studied.
musculoskeletal system and manual
when one embarks on such
‘thanks’ to the significant injuries he has
a journey, however, and in
suffered.
2013 Barney’s daughter, Lana, was born. Having a supportive
continuing to learn and develop my skills to be the best osteopath I can be.’ Barney still has four years of Service until he retires from the Royal Air Force but, after meeting
… The award has renewed my commitment and passion for continuing to learn and develop my skills to be the best osteopath I can be
the principal and immediate past president of the Institute of Osteopathy, Robin Lansman, at the iO
funding as ‘representing the RAF in
and caring wife helped to keep
snowboarding and water polo meant that
Barney focused on both work and
my completing the course would benefit
study. Juggling all these elements of life
the RAF in helping me and my teammates
can be challenging – but ultimately very
working part-time at the Body Back-Up
avoid and recover from injury’.
rewarding.
clinic in Maidenhead.
In 2012 Barney decided to study at
22
Life does not stand still
therapy have grown over the years largely
He says that he accessed ELCAS
I am so proud to have gained a first-class degree in Osteopathy and honoured to have received the Rising Star award from the Institute of Osteopathy …
In Barney’s words, ‘I am so proud
Convention 2017, he has already found an opportunity to start
To find out more about studying for a
the College of Osteopaths. The part-time
to have gained a first-class degree
career in osteopathy, visit
structure, which continues for the entire
in Osteopathy and honoured to have
www.collegeofosteopaths.ac.uk
length of the five-year course, allows
received the Rising Star award from
students to continue to work full-time if
the Institute of Osteopathy. I am so
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
Details of the Body Back-Up clinic can be found at www.bodybackup.co.uk Q
Readers must consult their Single Service Advisors BEFORE committing to courses When responding to advertisements please mention Quest
MSc Global Military Veteran and Family Studies Advance your career with a globalised perspective of veteran care. Starting January 2018 Ideally suited to those who are working, or who wish to work with military or civilian veterans and their families, at home and across national borders.
Quest January 2016_2015 22/12/2015 09:27 Page 11
For further information contact
01245 68 35 81 lyndsay.baines@anglia.ac.uk twitter.com/angliaruskin
facebook.com/angliaruskin Readers must consult their Single Service Advisors BEFORE committing to courses When responding to advertisements please mention Quest
questonline.co.uk l January 2018
23
Q
YOUR ELC DISTANCE LEARNING
Keep your distance! ... and let the classroom come to you
ASK YOURSELF … l
Does the course lead to the qualification I want/need?
l
Will the course train me to the level required (by me or a potential
T
What’s involved?
can study when and where you
Courses delivered through distance
want. There’s no need to be
learning range from those taking as
l
Can I chat to previous learners?
physically on-campus to study or take
little as a few hours, to degrees and
l
Do I have to pass an entry test?
(some) training courses. And that, of
postgraduate qualifications that may
l
How much support is available? And in
course, is a considerable benefit to those
involve several years’ study. So-called
of you posted to far-flung locations,
‘short courses’ typically last days or
meaning that you can continue your
weeks as opposed to months or years.
distance, or is it necessary to attend
studies wherever in the world you may
Even those subjects with a strong
training sessions at specific times?
be. Nothing need come between you and your preparations for life in the civilian world. As well as ‘distance learning’, you may come across other, related, terms such as ‘open learning’ and ‘distance supported learning’. In truth, all of these
practical element often have modules
To see a list of ODL QC-accredited learning providers, go to www.odlqc. org.uk and click on ‘Find an accredited provider’, bottom left.
likely to overlap, but, as a rough guide, open learning includes
l
Thanks to the wide availability of useful
what form? l
l
How much does the course cost?
l
Will there be an exam at the end?
l
Is the provider inspected or accredited by an independent body?
l
If I choose to study for a degree, do I have to complete it within three
provided by either one
years? l
following means: books,
Will I receive any special consideration for study problems as a result of
phone, DVD, CD-ROM, email, the internet, podcasts
How much time will I need to set aside for study?
and support may be or a combination of the
Can the whole course be done at a
l
technology these days, learning materials
Can I view the training materials first, before committing?
that are suited to distance learning.
types of learning are
24
employer)?
hanks to distance learning, you
operational duties? l
Is the course available via learning
and via mobile learning; the latter
tools that I will be able to access? (For
more face-to-face classes than distance
is where the student accesses course
example, if you are in an environment
learning, while the word ‘supported’
content stored on a mobile device or
where IT availability is limited, you
usually indicates that there are tutors
through a wireless server. Some providers
should select a course where it is
and physical material available to help
offer course elements via the iTunes
possible to use paper and telephone,
students.
Store, which can be downloaded free of
at least for a limited period.)
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
charge. Many courses make extensive
the entrance examinations of a particular
learning, and that use ICT systems to
use of the internet. Others involve tutor
professional body.
enable users to access learning.
groups, which may meet regularly,
Both higher education (HE) and
or ‘summer camps’ of a few weeks’
further education (FE) courses can
direct from the ‘horse’s mouth’
duration to provide classroom education
be taken via distance learning. The
(somebody who has first-hand experience
that complements regular, directed
difference between these is not always
of a course or a training provider),
coursework at a distance.
clear-cut though, and in some cases
written prospectuses and, of course, the
(e.g. foundation degrees), both types
internet. The website of the Open and
are involved. Many qualifications are
Distance Learning Quality Council (ODL
The great thing about distance learning –
modular; this means that you complete
QC) is particularly helpful (again see ‘Key
especially for those, like you, in the Armed
them in sections (modules), often of
contacts’).
Forces – is that it puts you in control of
your own choosing, and credits gained
your education. Once you have chosen
from a selection of such courses can be
and enrolled on your course (see below),
added together to ‘add up’ to degrees and
Who are the learning providers?
you are free to study when, where – and,
other HE qualifications. It is not always
Many learning providers are neither HE
these days, how – you choose, so you can
necessary to have an undergraduate
nor FE institutions, although they may
fit your education around your current
degree to gain a master’s; neither is it
have links of varying strengths with
work and/or family commitments. It’s
necessary to have one in order to achieve
one or more colleges or universities.
entirely up to you.
many professional qualifications.
Many companies run large training
At your convenience
And, of course, in these days of laptops,
Other information sources include
Increasingly, Service people like you
departments, and there are also many
notebooks, tablets and mobile learning,
are taking distance learning modules
commercial organisations that provide
you can set up and study at a location of
as part of the training that contributes
training to paying clients. Much of the
your choice – home or work, at a cafe, even
to career progression. So, you could
training such providers deliver is of
while travelling. Importantly, too, you can
be studying with a view to gaining
excellent quality and targeted carefully
work at your own pace – there are no term
qualifications that will help you while in
at the needs of civilian employers in a
times to be rigidly stuck to (although you
the Forces or when you leave, or just for
specific market sector. Many commercial
may have to sit exams, which may take
personal interest – out of enthusiasm for a
businesses offering training use the
place only at specific times).
particular subject.
premises of academic institutions to
To sum up, distance study enables you
But how do you know who is a good
deliver courses, and may have contracts
take responsibility for your own learning.
provider and who is not? And exactly
with employment agencies to help their
However, although you will be in control,
which course do you need? All this choice
students find work.
a good provider will offer support – so you
can prove confusing! In the accompanying
will certainly not be alone, left completely
‘Ask yourself …’ panel, there is a checklist
some of the bigger distance learning
to your own devices, but will have back-up
that should help you.
organisations, however – as mentioned
and assistance as and when you require it.
You are likely to have heard of
above – there are many other providers
There are also likely to be self-checks and
Finding out more
interim tests to help ensure that you are
Service education and training staff,
of courses, some with discounts for
on target, and tutor-marked assessments
both within your unit and specialists, can
Service people (ask your education
to provide valuable feedback, as well as a
often provide the best advice about what
and training adviser for further
telephone helpline to call or someone to
you might want and what it is actually
information). Q
email for advice if you get stuck.
possible for you to achieve. They can also
How do I choose a course and provider?
provide you with information about the funding available to support your studies, and recommend
out there too, also offering a wide range
Q
Although necessarily influenced by
the subjects that you should be
demand from learners, there are loads
encouraged to pursue – particularly
of courses available in distance learning
with a view to a second career when
form. And because the choice of provider
leaving the Services. Increasing numbers
is huge, too, you are more than likely to
of Forces learning and education centres
be able to track down the course you
and personal learning advisers also have
are looking for. This may be something
access to e-learning opportunities.
that will give you a general grounding
Information about courses is also
or background in a particular subject or
available from learndirect (see ‘Key
area (that you may go on to study in more
contacts’). It, too, runs its own courses
depth later), or you might be looking to
and learning centres with tutor support,
focus on something very specific – such as
where students can undertake online
KEY CONTACTS
learndirect 0800 101 901 www.learndirect.co.uk @learndirect
Open and Distance Learning Quality Council (ODL QC) 020 8658 8337 www.odlqc.org.uk
questonline.co.uk l January 2018
25
Q
Simply a HE’s apprenticeship Life Changin revolution Education YOUR ELC HIGHER-LEVEL STUDY
Apprenticeships are at the forefront of a huge change in the world of higher education – it is now possible to be an apprentice at all levels of learning, right up to master’s
F
or years higher education (HE) has fallen mainly into one of two camps: the traditional 18–21 year
for higher education … First, it is now possible to be an
olds going to university to study and
apprentice at all levels of learning,
spread their wings, and those unable to
right up to master’s level. So forget the
study on campus and learning remotely.
traditional notion of an apprentice who
Apprenticeships are throwing an exciting
comes straight out of school to learn a
new option into the mix. Increasingly,
trade. We are now seeing CEOs and FDs
employers are looking to spend their
entertaining the thought of taking that
training and development budgets on
master’s degree they never got around
important) – this is about the people. For
their staff in order to upskill them in an
to in the form of an apprenticeship.
a tranche of employees, many of whom
area that will invigorate their business and
HE degrees comprise only 6% of all
have gravitated into leadership because
companies are seeing the levy as an
rewards that this brings.
ultimately increase staff retention. The catalyst for this paradigm shift is the apprenticeship levy. Since April 2017, all employers with an annual wage bill over £3m have been mandated to pay 0.5% of this wage bill as a levy
Logistics apprenticeships at present, but industry they are technically very good, this is a Business forecasts set this at 18% in two years’ once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain the time. that match their skills. For Humanqualifications Resource Managem Second, if the levy money is not used employers, there is a huge incentive to and Communica within 24 months it is lost. Engineering Effectively, spend on staff development and reap the enforced (or at least highly encouraged)
of money. This pot of money is then
training budget and want to spend it
accessible to the company to draw back
all rather than lose it. Furthermore, all
all in line with the government’s grand
LINCOLN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SCHOOL
The Business School Progra not just aboutoffers the moneyDegree (although that’s
(effectively a tax) to a government pot
in order to fund apprenticeships. This is
The Lincoln International Business
Our programmes are specific and relev apprenticeships to take advantage of, levy money is uplifted by 10% whenmilitary it is including the Chartered Degree both service and Managers civilian employ School (LIBS) offers a range of degree
extracted via PAYE and, for levy payers, if
Apprenticeship (CMDA), which, over the
vision to create a massive increase in
they exceed their levy contributions any
course of three to four years, allows the
apprenticeships by the year 2020.
additional expenditure is 90% funded by
PUT IN £100 AND YOU GET TRAINING WORTH £1,000. WHEN YOU’RE TALKING DEGREES THAT’S BIG BANG FOR YOUR BUCK!
26
Now here’s where it gets interesting
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
student to gain a full BA honours degree, alon We also offer Degree Apprenticeships the government under a scheme called Chartered Manager status with the traditional Degree Programmes for(CMI), military co-investment. There aren’t many deals Chartered Management Institute like it – put in £100 and you get training
and establish networks and skills that will
worth £1,000. When you’re talking
help them to flourish.
degrees that’s big bang for your buck! For
If you are interested in the
smaller companies who do not pay the
opportunities available at LIBS, please
levy, further news is expected in 2018, so
email mhickerton@lincoln.ac.uk to find out
Contact us and quote "QLIBS" for information:
askWBDL@lincoln.ac.uk watch this space … more. At the835514 University of Lincoln, we 01522 recognise that degree apprenticeships are See the advertisement on page 68 lincoln.ac.uk/lbs/militaryprogrammes/courses
Q
YOUR ELC QUALIFICATIONS TO FURTHER YOUR SERVICE CAREER
Boost your prospects while serving
How your ELC can benefit both you and your Service publication, the main purpose
A
that your Service role might require,
Skills with regard to building services
of ELC is to encourage serving
but that are also highly likely to prove
engineering-related courses. A great many
personnel to pursue higher-level learning
useful once you leave the Forces, could
other areas are likely to serve you well in
that benefits both the learner and the
include accountancy and management
future, too – not forgetting the benefit to
Armed Forces. This is to comply with
qualifications, or courses related to
your Service branch now, of course! Q
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) rules,
health and safety, and facilities or project
which state that any money provided for
management. Depending on your Service
your personal development has to be of
role, you could find yourself in a position to
immediate benefit to both the Armed
embark on a range of studies that will turn
Forces and the individual – if not, the
out to have a very useful crossover into
MoD would be liable for tax! (See the
the civilian workplace when the time comes
accompanying box for more tax-related
for you to make the transition.
s noted elsewhere in this
Some of the areas of education
Similar work has taken place with Summit
For example, thinking of IT training
TAX EXEMPTION MEASURES FOR THOSE WHO ARE NO LONGER SERVING
as an example, the Tech Partnership (a
Under the ELC scheme, most courses
those courses that will benefit your own
network of employers working to creating
of study undertaken by individuals still
career and promotion prospects in the
skills for the UK’s digital economy) has
serving are exempt from taxation, either
Services – and ultimately help you find
been involved in putting together a
as income or as a benefit in kind, if they
employment on leaving – as well as offering
matrix of eligible higher-level vendor IT
can be justified as ‘work related’. In
a benefit to the Service while you remain
qualifications, which in these high-tech
order for Service leavers to benefit fully,
in uniform.
times will prove as useful to you on leaving
too, HMRC and MoD worked together to
as they are while you remain in Service.
reach an agreement on tax exemption.
information.) The best of both worlds is offered by
This means that the Service leaver (or their surviving spouse, civil partner or eligible partner, where appropriate) will not be required to pay income tax on payments received under the ELC and FEHE schemes. This allows them to draw maximum benefit from the schemes.at least for a limited period.
questonline.co.uk l January 2018
27
Q
YOUR ELC ON COURSE: FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
Is your future in
facilities management? Performed well, FM can:
It’s one of the fastest-growing professions in the UK and vital to the success of any business. Perhaps it’s vital to your future success too? Read on to find out more … What’s involved?
deliver effective management of an organisation’s assets
l
enable new working styles and processes – vital in our current technology-driven times
l
enhance and project an organisation’s identity and image
F
At a corporate level, it contributes to
of running a business and is
provides a safe and efficient working
recognised as a profession in its own right,
environment, which is essential to the
defined by the British Institute of Facilities
performance of any business, whatever its
Management (BIFM) as an ‘organisational
size and scope.
l
help the integration processes
acilities management (FM) has
the delivery of strategic and operational
associated with change, post-merger or
always been an essential aspect
objectives. On a day-to-day level, it
acquisition
function which integrates people, place
28
l
Within this expanding discipline,
and process within the built environment
facilities managers provide, maintain and
with the purpose of improving the quality
develop services ranging from property
of life of people and the productivity of the
strategy, space management and
core business’. Put more simply, effective
communications infrastructure, to building
FM, combining resources and activities, is
maintenance, administration and contract
vital to the success of any organisation.
management.
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
GET TO GRIPS WITH THE TERMINOLOGY The BIFM provides a useful tool that will help you learn more about the world of facilities management. Its FM Glossary includes standard terms that don’t change much, as well as new ones that emerge and evolve based on what’s happening within the FM industry. Access it here: www.bifm.org.uk/bifm/knowledge/ Glossary
Every organisation has someone
Get qualified!
responsible for the FM function. They
BIFM qualifications allow you to gain a
may not actually be called ‘facilities
recognised, accredited qualification to
manager’ but they will deal with this area.
support your career and build your earning
The smartest of front offices will have
potential. All of its FM qualifications are
people behind the scenes to make sure
designed to be flexible and meet your
the lavatories work, the photocopier has
needs. You can choose a level and depth to
paper, and the internet server is up and
suit you and then select optional units to
running.
match your development needs.
Few companies or businesses have the
l
All qualifications come in three sizes
manpower or resources to deal with all
– Award, Certificate and Diploma – so
aspects of FM, and this has been one of the
you can choose the one that suits your
main reasons for the growth in outsourced
needs and the time you have available.
FM, which now accounts for well over half
l
of the total market. Functions can either
combination of mandatory and optional
be outsourced on an individual basis, or everything can be outsourced to a ‘total
units, offering flexibility and choice. l
FM’ company.
Skill up while serving
for you and your organisation. l
l
All assessments are practical and work based.
l
functions. Some may even be halfway to becoming professionally qualified in FM
The qualifications can be customised to suit your needs.
have, despite the fact that they may well have been carrying out many of its
There is no need to work up through the levels – you can start at the right level
You may never have heard of facilities management – many Service people won’t
Qualifications are built up from a
The qualifications cover real need-toknow FM knowledge and skills.
l
The qualifications are aligned with BIFM
without even knowing it. So read on … this
membership grades (see below) so you
could be you.
can enter at the appropriate grade and
The vast majority of those in the
gain extra recognition in the job market.
Forces have been involved in the
BIFM Recognised Centres offer a variety
management of facilities. Environments
of ways of learning – face-to-face, evening
from ships to ammunition sites, and from
class, distance learning, online learning – to
aircraft maintenance hangars to divisional
suit you. The centres are located across
deliver business continuity and
HQs, are complex and demanding, and
the UK, and many are ELC approved
workforce protection in an era of
someone has to run them. It is not just
providers. Indeed, the BIFM offers a
heightened security threats.
the job of the administrative or logistic
number of opportunities for Service
Legislation has had a considerable impact,
specialist – often it is a person with a very
leavers to develop their FM skills and
with laws and regulations covering many
different job title and other priorities who
expertise, thus helping you to build your
different functions, such as access for
actually manages the environment in
earning potential.
people with disabilities. Health and safety at
which Service people work.
l
Use your ELC
work covers a number of procedures, such
Many Service leavers find facilities
as fire and other emergencies, which have
management a natural next step when
Under the ELC scheme, a wide range
to be considered and implemented. Indeed,
leaving the Forces; according to a recent
of learning can be taken, provided it
the person responsible may have to answer
FM World Salary Survey, the third largest
is offered by an approved provider
to the courts as well as their CEO.
entry route into FM was through the
listed on the ELC website at www.
Armed Forces, with 10% of the sample
enhancedlearningcredits.com and is at
having come from that background.
level 3 or above. For full details of how to
Have you got what it takes?
Many Service environments differ
make the most of your ELC, refer to our
FM practitioners require excellent
from their civilian equivalents. However,
in-depth features on pages 6–27.
communication and management skills,
the principles are exactly the same:
as well as relevant knowledge, in what
modern threats such as fire, electronic
BIFM membership
has become a vital strategic discipline,
attack and mechanical breakdown may
As the professional body for FM, the BIFM
which translates the high-level, strategic
be very similar, and contingency plans for
represents and promotes the interests of
change required by senior decision makers
equipment redundancy, relocation and
members and the wider FM community,
into day-to-day reality for people in their
physical security translate easily to the
and offers several grades of individual
working and personal lives.
outside world.
membership.
questonline.co.uk l January 2018
29
Q
l
l
YOUR ELC ON COURSE: FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
Affiliate is its entry-level grade and is
Fellowship (FBIFM) of the BIFM is
on FM World Jobs, the recruitment website
suitable for anyone who has an interest
the most prestigious grade of BIFM
for FM World, the BIFM’s magazine – see:
in or is already working within the FM
membership – applicants are required
http://jobs.fm-world.co.uk/
industry – previous experience is not
to hold Certified (CBIFM) member
required.
status and are expected to have at
for members, to support FM professionals
least five years’ senior FM experience.
at any stage in their career. All career
Associate grade (ABIFM) is
The BIFM also offers a careers service
available for those with an FM-related
There are various routes to these grades,
coaching sessions are one-to-one to
qualification at level 2, 3 or above, or
including a vocational route to MBIFM.
ensure that you get tailored guidance that
with two years or more experience
You can gain professional recognition with
is relevant to you. Discover the career
in FM, while Member (MBIFM) and
BIFM membership.
direction that is best for you with added
Certified (CBIFM) grades are available
30
l
support to help manage the transition from
to those with FM-related qualifications
Finding employment
at higher levels, and expertise/practical
Many, if not most, FM jobs are with
experience across a wide range of
specialist companies in this field, often
well suited to a transfer from Services to
competences.
contracted out to a client organisation.
civilian life. Those in the Forces currently
These companies employ, permanently or
looking after facilities are likely to be
on contract, people who are competent
learning valuable skills for use in industry.
TRANSLATE YOUR SKILLS
in all the disciplines associated with FM.
However, as noted above, there are
It will be necessary to explain the skills and experience you have gained in the Forces environment to a civilian employer who may not immediately appreciate the similarities between a nuclear submarine and an office block, and how the skills you have acquired in the Services may translate to the civilian workplace. There is resettlement advice and training available in this field, should you either wish to specialise in it, or perhaps are looking to move in to a more general management role, part of which will involve being responsible for premises or facilities.
Many run huge contracts with military
some key elements involved in gaining
organisations, providing the infrastructure
professional recognition in the FM field, so
for bases throughout the UK and wherever
it helps to understand the importance and
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
the Armed Forces are serving in the world. In smaller organisations, including schools and partnership practices, FM may well be only a part – albeit an important one – of the overall management job.
Armed Forces to a civilian role in FM. There are few professions that are as
Q
If you’re planning to move into FM after leaving the Forces, you can find various job vacancies and support via the BIFM, to help you make your career transition. Search for the latest jobs in facilities management
relevance of previous experience. Q
KEY CONTACTS
British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) +44 (0)1279 712620 info@bifm.org.uk www.bifm.org.uk @BIFM_UK
Readers must consult their Single Service Advisors BEFORE committing to courses When responding to advertisements please mention Quest
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Approved by Future Awards & Qualifications to deliver RQF Courses
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This Level 33 Qualification includes: This Level Qualification includes: This Level 3 Qualification includes: • • Personal Track Safety DCCR (PTS) Personal Track Safety AC Initial (PTS) Personal Track Safety AC Initial (PTS) • • Health and Safety Training (Working Health and Safety Training (Working Health and Safety Training (Working Safely at Heights, Moving and Handling, Safely at at Heights, Manual Handling, Safely Heights, Manual Handling, Manual Handling, Harness Safety,and Fire Harness Safety, Fire Awareness Harness Safety, Fire Awareness and Awareness and Emergency First Aid) Emergency First Aid) Emergency First Aid) • Overhead Line Electrification Level 1 Common Induction (ICI) • Industry Industry Common Induction (ICI) (OLEC 1) • • Overhead Line Electrification Level 1 1 Overhead Line Electrification Level Overhead Line Electrification Level 2 (OLEC 1) 1) (OLEC (OLEC 2) • Overhead Line Electrification Level 2 Overhead Line Electrification Level • Overhead Line Electrification Level 3 2 (OLEC 2) (OLEC (OLEC 3) 2)
The course will be completed in in our indoor The course will completed our indoor The course will bebe completed in our brand practical rail training centre and includes practical rail training centre and includes new indoor practical rail training centre practical training sessions, classroom practical training sessions, classroom and includes practical training sessions, sessions and assessments. sessions and assessments. classroom sessions and assessments. For this qualification we can offer you a rail AsAs Akona is is anan ELCAS approved Akona Ltd ELCAS approved sponsor andLtd employment opportunities. training provider this qualification can bebe training provider this qualification can funded byby Enhanced Learning Credits. funded Enhanced Learning Credits. As Akona Ltd is an ELCAS approved training provider this qualification can be funded by Enhanced Learning Credits.
questonline.co.uk l January 2018
31
Q
YOUR ELC ON COURSE: PROJECT MANAGEMENT
What’s involved?
M
odern project management (PM) started in civil engineering, where proper management was essential
simply because the costs of not having it were too high! At first, other industries did
Are you organised, methodical, good at keeping work on track, confident about meeting deadlines and happy to take on responsibility? A career in project management will require you to deliver tasks on time and within budget by planning and organising resources and people. If you recognise your own skill set here, PM could be the perfect match for you.
not share civil engineering’s recognition of the importance of PM, so there were a
exactly what a project means for the way the whole business is
number of hugely expensive disasters because:
conducted.
people did not know what they were trying to achieve
the business benefits of the change were not understood
is measured before it even starts – and that it covers the precise
customers kept changing their minds
amount of change that was envisaged at the outset.
change was not adequately controlled
late technological changes were incorporated into projects at
Skill up while serving
disproportionate cost.
Whatever your rank or specialisation, you are very likely to have
… which is why the role of the project manager is now so vitally
delivered projects of varying complexity, although it is vital to
important.
distinguish between planning and carrying out relatively simple
These days, the project manager is the person on the ground
32
Effective PM will ensure that the result of a project process
routine activities and specific projects like the refit of a warship
delivering the customer’s wishes and dealing with suppliers,
or the design of a cockpit. However, experience gained by, say,
although any contractual relationship is usually between customer
moving a unit to a new base or running an NCOs’ course would
and supplier. It is essential that top management understand
certainly be relevant.
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
THE METHODOLOGIES YOU NEED TO KNOW
PRINCE2 PRINCE2 is a processed-based approach; each element is defined with its key inputs and outputs, together with the specific objectives to be achieved and activities to be carried out. The project is split into manageable stages, enabling efficient control of resources and regular monitoring of progress. The
• PRINCE2 • Atern • Managing Successful Programmes • Management of Risk
process is product based; plans focus on delivering results and are not simply a set of timelines by which various actions must have occurred. The project is driven by the business case, describing the organisation’s justification, commitment and rationale for the deliverable (or outcome). This case being met. PRINCE2 enables projects to have an organised and controlled start, middle
Have you got what it takes?
and end, with a series of processes that cover all necessary activities.
PM knowledge and experience are crucial
is reviewed regularly to ensure that the business objectives (which may change) are
skills in many civilian jobs. With this in Project team does the work
User will use its outcome Project manager organises and controls
Customer pays for the project
mind, consider enhancing your projectrelated skills, particularly leadership, team building and risk management. PM is an increasingly useful discipline – good project managers are in great demand, both within
Suppliers have the expertise to carry it out
the Services and outside. It is also an industry that is expanding into new areas every year. The basic skills required to manage a project are:
All will be represented on the project board to ensure that the right outcome is
l
recognising what it is that needs to be
l
planning how to deliver it
l
using the resources available
l
organising the project from start to
delivered
delivered within budget, on time and to the appropriate quality. Project assurance provides an independent view of how the project is progressing. There are two qualification levels: Foundation and Practitioner. The Foundation exam must be taken before the Practitioner exam.
finish. Foundation exam
Practitioner exam
1 hour allowed
2.5 hours allowed (no reading time added)
Multiple-choice format
Objective testing format
75 questions per paper
8 questions – 10 question items per
5 questions to be trial and not counted in scores 35 marks required (out of 70 available) to pass = 50% Closed book
question, each worth 1 mark – total number of marks available per paper 80 44 marks or more required to pass (out of 80 available) = 55% Open-book exam (official PRINCE2 manual only)
You can sit both exams in the same week or even day, or you can split them and sit them months (or even years) apart. You do not have to take a course to sit the examinations – it’s up to you! Foundation level will provide enough knowledge to enable you to act as an informed member of a project management team – it indicates understanding of the principles and terminology. Practitioner, though, is necessary for those who need the competence to run and manage specific projects. APMG-International administers the exams, and also accredits training providers to teach PRINCE2 and conduct the exams. (APMGInternational also offers a number of other qualifications relevant to this sector.) PRINCE2 Registered Practitioners must take a re-registration exam every three to five years, to maintain their certification. This is a similar exam to the original Practitioner paper, except it is only one hour with three scenario-based questions.
questonline.co.uk l January 2018
33
Q
COURSE YOUR ELC CHOICES ON COURSE: PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Get qualified!
Several methodologies are used for project management. Some of the most
want to advance their knowledge in this
qualifications as well as general ones that
important are Atern, Management of Risk
field. It has aligned its qualifications with
include an element of PM within them.
and Managing Successful Programmes, but
the standards set by the International
Many degrees, for example, have modules
the most common generic methodology is
Project Management Association (IPMA).
on PM and yet more test students by
PRINCE2 (see separate panel).
requiring them to carry out a project as
It is not cheap, though,
part of the qualification.
and you may have to costs yourself.
CONTROL PANEL The crux of Projects in Controlled Environments (PRINCE), now in version 2 (PRINCE2 see below), is embodied in the phrase ‘Controlled Environments’, which means: l tight, agreed specifications l quality control of the product and the process l reliability l full participation of the customer throughout l involvement of suppliers so requirements are understood l no surprises on delivery.
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
The Practitioner certificate is mandatory for civilian project managers employed in the MoD. Another source of advice
Visit the relevant websites to find out more (see ‘Key
meet some of the
34
and education programmes for those who
PM is a field in which there are specific
PM TO THE POWER OF THREE
contacts’). Short courses
To sum up PM, three factors make up every project: 1. time 2. cost 3. performance. These are interdependent, so any changes made to one will impact on one or both of the others.
is the Association for
regularly throughout the UK, and the APM can provide a list of approved training providers (again, see ‘Key
contacts’). Many British
Project Management (APM). It publishes a Body of Knowledge
in PM are run
universities and institutes offer a range of PM courses and
that provides basic information on the
programmes. Some are specialist, while
competences required by a project
others are aimed at the general project
manager. There are also training courses
manager.
Use your ELC
specifically PM – skills will be attractive to
find an employer, the job-finding process
Under the ELC scheme, a wide range
prospective employers. If you are thinking
is much the same as for other kinds of
of training can be taken, provided it is
of working freelance, there are agencies,
employment. Q
offered by an approved provider listed on the ELC website at www. enhancedlearningcredits.com and is at level 3 or above. For full details of how to make the most of your ELC, refer to our in-depth
Q
features on pages 6–27.
magazines and other intermediaries that can help you; if you want to
KEY CONTACTS
PRINCE2 (official) www.prince-officialsite.com
Finding employment One obvious employment area Service leavers is the defence industrial sector, with many projects to choose from.
APMG-International 01494 452450
CPD IS KEY
Continuing professional development is required to keep abreast of changes in the PM world
www.apmg-international.com @APMG_Inter
This has the benefit of immediate skills transferability, possibly working on
Association for Project Management
familiar equipment but from a different
0845 458 1944
perspective. But it’s true to say that
www.apm.org.uk @APMProjectMgmt
PM skills are of great value and in high demand in every conceivable occupation. The more junior ranks will tend to be employed on the basis of their technical skills and expertise, while if you have been in a managerial role in
Best Practice User Group (BPUG) 020 8144 5909 admin@usergroup.org.uk www.bpug.co.uk @BPUG_UK
International Project Management Association (IPMA) (Swiss) www.ipma.ch @IPMAFamily Project Management Institute (PMI) (US) www.pmi.org @PMInstitute
the Services, your management – and
Project Management Courses PRINCE2® - AgilePM® - Change Management
Free online course Quote: TKAQUEST18
Get the most from your allowance. Bundles are available! 01344 209944
info@theknowledgeacademy.com
questonline.co.uk l January 2018
35
Readers must consult their Single Service Advisors BEFORE committing to courses When responding to advertisements please mention Quest
Electrical Courses Ltd Train to become an Electrician! We offer the following industry recognised courses for aspiring and already qualified Electricians; •
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•
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•
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•
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•
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E LC 6414
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36
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
Assistant Rail Signalling Installer Training program Based in Ipswich (Suffolk), our training services have been fundamentally recognised as being pro-active, effective and, above all, technically competent. This program gives the candidate the required competencies to become a railway Signalling Installer. The training is an intensive 6 week course, filled with all the safety critical, signalling, technical and electrical knowledge needed to pursue a career within the rail industry. All attendees of this program will be given employment interviews. Consisting of 9 qualifications, this program is delivered in accordance with the IRSE (Institute of Rail Signal Engineers) licensing scheme conditions. As such, the program satisfies the knowledge requirements that enable delegates to apply for licensing after the appropriate experience criteria has been met. This program is mapped towards achieving IRSE category 1.2.110 (Installation). It is also mapped towards category 1.4.100 and includes the competences required for registration with the Engineering council at the grade of EngTech. (The Engineering Council stipulates a minimum education requirement Equivalent to BTEC L3 or NVQ L3).
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Q
YOUR ELC HIGHER-LEVEL STUDY: ACCESS DIPLOMAS
Ringing the changes for a new year For many people, the start of a new year is an exciting time as they think about what the coming year will bring (and work through their new year’s resolutions). For others it’s a less exciting time. Nevertheless, it is a chance to take stock, think about things that could make life better and to look forward to the coming year …
S
ome of you may be looking forward
Says Tommy Sharpe, former Royal
to a new job, or new home; some
Marine and currently studying a social
could be your first step towards your new
of you may be working towards
work degree after medical discharge: ‘It
life.
both, and trying to find ways to make the
wasn’t a quick and easy road to this point.
best choices for yourself and your
I had to pick myself up and
family. In this digital age there is information about just about everything on the internet, although to make the information work you often have to ‘know what you don’t know’ to find it. This was one of the points coming out of the AFF research
really think about what I
TOMMY’S STORY
wanted to do with my
You can view a short film about Tommy’s real-life experience with Access to HE here: www.accesstohe.ac.uk/ Access/Pages/ AHE4SP.aspx
symposium in November 2017.
life, as well as looking after my health. ‘Most people in
than 1,300 courses available throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland; most although the number of courses available to study online is increasing. Many Access
They want to earn the most amount of
might take a little longer but may be more
enforced because of injury or expiry of a
fulfilling in the long run.’ Read more from Tommy below …
just leaving a job, for many it’s leaving a
Let’s think big
way of life and a support network, a patch.
If money weren’t an issue …
Making the transition to a different way of
l
What do you really want to do next?
life has its challenges, and making time to
l
How do you make it happen?
think about what you want of your new life
l
Do you need to retrain?
is very important.
l
Do you need qualifications? A degree?
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
for study at university. There are more
a quick solution.
– be that through your own choice or
Services a change in career is more than
for adults, designed to prepare them
are available to study at local colleges,
that there are other options that
contract – but as a member of the Armed
Access to HE Diplomas are qualifications
included, want
away, and may not know
think about when you’re changing career
The Access to HE Diploma
the military, myself
money possible straight
There are a lot of things to
38
An Access to Higher Education Diploma
History of Access to HE and the role of QAA QAA regulates the Access to HE Diploma by licensing Access Validating Agencies (AVAs) to award the Access to HE Diploma. QAA manages the Diploma specification, which governs the structure of the qualification, and the licensing criteria that detail how AVAs must manage the qualification. The qualification was established in the 1970s and continues to be designed to increase participation in higher education by individuals who are underrepresented.
to HE students are studying courses that
couldn’t have been any more well suited to
Service leavers have several options to
prepare them for graduate professions in
joining the Marines when I was a 21-year-
fund their studies:
areas like engineering, health, education
old bloke. And, for all of the things I’ve
l
and social work.
been through and seen up until the start of
Enhanced Learning Credits (if you’re registered)
Students on the courses are all
my education, and what I’m learning now
looking to change their lives. They have
and what I hope to take on into this new
(your higher education study and
had different life experiences, and many
profession from the Access to HE course
Access to HE Diploma could be paid for,
didn’t think they would be able to go to
and from the university, I couldn’t be more
but you must do your higher education
university, but the figures show that each
well suited to it, in the direction that I want
course immediately after the Access to
year around 23,000 adult students go on
to go in.’
to study a degree after finishing an Access to HE Diploma.
From Marine to social work student
l
the Publicly Funded FE/HE scheme
HE course)
The courses are taught by people who
l
an Advanced Learner Loan.
understand what it’s like to be an adult
Advanced Learner Loan repayments don’t
going back into the classroom after a long
currently kick in until you start to earn
time away. Students receive support for
more than £21,000 per year. And if you
their academic and pastoral needs from
successfully complete a QAA-recognised
both tutors and fellow students.
Access to HE course, the balance of the
Access to HE students tend to be adults changing career. They may not all
loan will be written off when you complete your higher education studies.
be leaving the military, but they are leaving one life behind them as they work to change their lives. Some have left jobs and many had bad experiences at school. ‘There are probably a lot of people who, like me, didn’t have a wholly
Example repayment amounts Annual income Monthly income before tax
Monthly repayment
Up to £21,000 £1,750 £0 £22,000 £1,833 £7 £25,000 £2,083 £30 £30,000 £2,500 £67 £35,000 £2,916 £105 £40,000 £3,333 £142
positive experience of school, and as a result spent years assuming Tommy Sharpe joined
that academic study wasn’t for
the Royal Marines at
them. For me, undertaking an
offer bursaries to provide some financial
21 but had to leave
Access to HE course changed that
support for students. It’s important to
after 12 years because
view. With the help of supportive,
look into your funding options carefully
of ill health. His life
good-humoured and patient tutors
to make sure you make the best choice
was the Marines, now it was over and he
it provided me with the tools
for you and your family. Access to HE
had no plans for his future.
and, above all, the self-belief to
providers, your education officer or
undertake a higher education
transition staff should be able to help you
course.’
choose the best route.
His experience in military hospitals had made him aware of the challenges faced by veterans in the care system. He decided
Dr Mark Field, former Chief Petty
he wanted to do something about it and
Officer, Royal Navy
follow his sister into social work. He’d left school with few qualifications but a call to
Higher education is not for everyone, but it could be your route through transition. Find out about courses at
Joining an Access to HE Diploma
a university pointed him to an Access to
course may also help you build support
HE Diploma.
networks outside the patch – just one
‘I had very low confidence, believing
Many universities and charities also
your local college and check the ELCAS website. Q
element of transition. Access to HE
that I didn’t belong in the education
students have a common bond: they have
system. The Access to HE course gave me
achieved against the odds.
self-belief. I didn’t realise it at the time but, looking back on it, some of the problem of my lack of confidence came from not being
Find out more
very good at reading.’ However, with the
You may also find these websites helpful:
support of other students, he achieved his
Access to HE website
www.accesstohe.ac.uk
Access to HE Diploma and was able to take
Real-life stories
www.accesstohe.ac.uk/Access/RealLife
up the offer of a place to study social work
Diploma database
www.accesstohe.ac.uk/SubSites/PublicSearch/
at university.
Advanced Learner Loans
www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan
ELCAS
www.enhancedlearningcredits.com
UCAS
www.ucas.com
‘I genuinely believe that becoming a social worker will have as big an impact on my life as joining the Marines did, and I
questonline.co.uk l January 2018
39
Readers must consult their Single Service Advisors BEFORE committing to courses When responding to advertisements please mention Quest
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January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
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questonline.co.uk l January 2018
41
Q Plan ahead!
YOUR ELC EDUCATION AND FUNDING PLANNER
Your one-stop guide to personal development and education opportunities, improving your career prospects and the funding sources available help you do it
Personal development and education opportunities What is Personal Development (PD)?
PD is about self-improvement and satisfaction. It is open to everyone and can be done for one or many of the following reasons: >> to improve knowledge for personal interest >> to be introduced to new ideas or skills >> to broaden horizons
>> to enhance in-Service career prospects >> to gain qualifications >> to prepare for a second career
PD won’t just happen. You must take steps to find out what’s available and decide what you want to do. Use the flow chart below as a guide
Other sources of information include:
Individual talks to line manager about developing a realistic plan and maintaining a PD record (PDR)
A PD Route Map
>> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
Individual decides: >> subject to be studied and qualification (if any) >> level of study (basic/key skills, GCSE, S/NVQ, A-level, degree, postgraduate) >> mode of study (e.g. short courses, distance learning)
unit education or training officer in-Service publications in-Service education centre local library or civilian college the internet Quest magazine friends and family Quest website: questonline.co.uk
Q
In-Service
Local colleges or training providers
Distance/ open learning
eLearning – the Defence Learning Environment (DLE)
PD can mean anything from career courses to sports and adventurous training courses. See Q for other options for Service personnel
A range of further education (16+) and higher education (degree and above) courses are available. Ask your education/training officer or local college/library for a brochure
College attendance is not necessarily required. Flexible study can be undertaken by correspondence, or using the internet and tutorial support is usually available
There is now a huge amount of high-quality learning material freely available online to Armed Forces and Civil Service personnel, accessible either over the World Wide Web or via the Defence Intranet. The Defence Learning Environment (DLE) is the MOD’s central distance learning resource, providing ‘one stop’ access to a wide range of eLearning, courses, wikis, forums and other materials across a large number of key topics including: IT skills including ECDL, core competencies, health and safety, languages and business skills. Readily available via your Defence Gateway account. Visit http://www.da.mod.uk/ Courses/Online-E-Learning/DLE or www.defencegateway.mod.uk
Grants and funding are available for most forms of PD. See ‘Sources of advice and finance’ for details. Course complete? Look for your next learning!
Distance Learning
Q
Distance learning allows you to study at your own pace, no matter where you are. A range of schemes and courses are available but it requires discipline to organise your study time. Most colleges readily offer help and advice to their students. Standard Learning Credits (SLC) and Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) can be used for many of these courses but certain conditions may apply (see Sources of advice and finance).
To find out more, check out the article about distance learning on page 24.
42
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
College Courses
Q
You may prefer to attend a part-time class, or short course, at a local college. Your education officer may have this information to hand and most colleges publish a brochure. Some people prefer to study in this more structured environment. You must gain authority from your unit to attend and it is worth seeking unit guidance before making any financial commitment. You may also be able to claim the SLC and ELC. In addition, many in-Service education centres run classes specifically for Forces people and families, especially overseas. Some are free and most are discounted for families. Contact your education/training officer for details.
Personal Development Record (PDR)
Q
Everyone should keep their own PDR in which they should record educational plus other PD achievements, appraisals and courses. It encourages people to assess and evaluate what they are doing, what they have learned, and where they are going in terms of career and personal development. Ask your education/training officer where you can get your copy.
Key: Q Service personnel
Courses 4 Forces Spring final 2015_C4F 16/03/2015 11:25 Page 52
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Q
The SLC scheme allows personnel to obtain financial assistance for learning EFS GPS )BWJOH DIPTFO (BTUFD BT UIF QSPWJEFS GPS course ZFBST costs. You are able to claimNZ SFTFUUMFNFOU USBJOJOH BGUFS ZFBST 80% of your fees, up to a maximum of ÂŁ175 E XJUI UIF TFSWJDF * XBT DPNQMFUMZ JNQSFTTFE XJUI UIF QSPGFTTJPOBMJTN BOE IFMQ BGGPSEFE NF CZ funding, the CZ course of study must lead to per financial year. To qualify for SLC BMM UIF JOTUSVDUPST BOE TUBGG a nationally recognised qualification, have substantial developmental value and 4HU + . .PSHBO 3FUE
directly benefit the Service. 0VS QBTT SBUF FYDFFET BOE PVS &-$"4 FWBMVBUJPO SBUJOH JT TFDPOE UP OPOF 1MFBTF UBLF UJNF UP WJFX UIF &-$"4 XFCTJUF UP DIFDL PVU PVS DVSSFOU FWBMVBUJPO SBUJOH
Enhanced Learning Credits
COURSE CARRIES LEVEL 3 ACCREDITATION
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Q
The ELC scheme offers currently serving or former Service personnel access to a first full level 3 (GCE A-level or vocational equivalent) or a first higher education (HE) qualification (e.g. a foundation degree or a first undergraduate degree or equivalent) free from tuition fees. Gastec Training & Assessment Centres Ltd. 6 Newmarket Court, Kingston, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK10 0AQ The ELC lower tier offers up to three payments of up to £1,000 in three separate financial years;enquiries@gastectraining.co.uk the higher tier offers up to threewww.gastectraining.co.uk payments of up to £2,000 in three separate financial years. A new Publicly Funded Further Education/Higher Education ELC was created in 2016. It’s an aggregated lower-tier award, which is a single payment of up to £3,000 for those with six or more years of qualifying service, which will count as all three awards. You must make a contribution to your learning of at least 20% of the cost, and must discuss your plans with your line manager and education adviser before making any financial commitment. Detailed information about ELC can be found in the first half of this magazine. For full details visit www.enhancedlearningcredits.com
CALL +44(0)1908 587665
Individual Resettlement Training Costs grant
Q
The IRTC grant is available to Service leavers with six or more years’ service and all Medical Discharges. It is a contribution to training costs and can be used internally at the Resettlement Training Centre (RTC) Aldershot, or at a Regional Resettlement Centre (RRC) for vocational training courses. It can also be used externally for training with CTP Preferred Suppliers. IRTC is available for tuition fees up to a maximum of ÂŁ534. A range of courses at the RTC Aldershot is delivered within the MoD contract, called Contract Funded (CF) training. These courses are pre-paid by the MoD and only ‘cost’ the Service leaver time and a portion of their ÂŁ534 allowance. No money changes hands for the training but days and funding are deducted from the GRT allocation at a rate of ÂŁ26.70 per day. The ÂŁ534 gives access to up to 20 days of CF training. Any exam or registration fees are extra and payable by the student, but other allowances may be available to help with these. The CTP also offers a range of courses that are not within the MoD contract. These are known as Non-Contract Funded courses and you can use your IRTC grant or ELC to pay for these.
Professional and Career Development Loans These are designed to help people change direction or increase their skills by providing a deferred repayment loan of between £300 and £10,000 to cover up to 80% of tuition fees for a vocational course of up to two years, plus a further year’s work experience if appropriate. Courses can be full-time or part-time, or involve open or distance learning, and people who have been out of work for three months can apply to have all their course fees covered. The low-interest loan is arranged through one of four high-street banks, and certain conditions and criteria apply. Find out which banks offer the loan and order an application pack by calling the National Careers Service on Tel: 0800 100 900. You can also check online to see if you are eligible – visit www.gov.uk/career-development-loans
QUEST questonline.co.uk
Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
Q
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) provides compensation for any injury, illness or death that is predominantly caused by service on or after 6 April 2005. The War Pension Scheme (WPS) compensates for any injury, illness or death that occurred up to this date. All current and former members of the UK Armed Forces, including Reservists, may submit a claim for compensation. For advice and guidance, call Veterans UK’s free helpline on 0808 1914218. Alternatively, you can visit: www.veterans-uk.info
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service UCAS deals with applications for first degree and similar standard courses at over 250 universities and colleges in the UK. Remember that you no longer need A-levels to go to university – vocational A-levels/NVQs and access courses now qualify students as well. If you are interested in entering higher education, call the UCAS hotline on Tel: 0371 468 0468 or visit www.ucas.com
University Short Courses
Q
The University Short Course Programme (USCP) exists to enhance the general educational development of Service personnel through providing short courses at a range of universities in topics such as leadership and management, regional and strategic studies, and languages. Course fees and accommodation costs are funded by the Services. Further details are available from education/learning centres or search in DINs.
learndirect learndirect is a free government service via which qualified advisers provide information on all aspects of learning, from UK-wide learning opportunities, to career guidance and sources of finance, and other national and local organisations that can help. Advisers can answer questions on any aspect of learning. The website address is www.learndirect.com The freephone number is Tel: 0800 101901.
Jobcentre Plus Finding a job
Jobcentre Plus has one of Britain’s largest databases of job vacancies, which is updated constantly. The database also lets you search for training, career information, voluntary work and childcare providers across the UK. You can search the database via Universal Jobmatch (www.gov.uk – search for ‘jobs’) or by using the Job Point in your local Jobcentre. When you find a job you are interested in, either using the Jobcentre Plus job search or at the Job Point in your local Jobcentre, Jobcentre advisers will tell you how to apply, send you an application form and may even contact the employer (so have your address, National Insurance number, date of birth and the job reference number to hand).
Benefits
If you’re unsure which benefits you can get, you can check online using the Gov.uk ‘Benefits calculators’ pages (www.gov.uk – search for ‘benefits calculators’). To find out more about Jobseeker’s Allowance, who can get it and how to claim online, go to the Gov.uk ‘Jobseeker’s Allowance’ pages (www.gov.uk – search for ‘Jobseeker’s Allowance’). You can also claim by phone by calling Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688. There’s a Welsh-language line on 0800 012 1888, and a textphone on 0800 023 4888 if you find it hard to speak or hear clearly. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am–6pm.
Armed Forces Champions
Q
Armed Forces Champions have been established in Jobcentre Plus districts throughout the country to ensure that the concerns of Service personnel and their families are addressed. Working with local bases and Families Federations, the role of the Champions is to raise awareness of the support available through Jobcentre Plus, such as information on the local labour market and how to claim benefits. (Any problems accessing Jobcentre Plus services can be fed through to local Champions via Unit Admin Offices.)
questonline.co.uk l January 2018
43
Q
YOUR ELC HELP AND ADVICE
Useful contacts
Need to know more? Here’s who can help …
F
or general enquiries about
Education and Resettlement Staff
RetResSO2or Civ: elc@detsa.co.uk
the scheme, eligibility and
seeking further clarification of sS
(
qualifications, seek advice from
instructions should contact SO3 EL3R,
Mil: 94391 7580 Civ: 01264
381580)
at DII: ‘NAVY TRG HQ-EL3R RESET
resettlement staff in the first instance,
SO3C’ (
not ELCAS. ELCAS’s role is to administer
625954)
Education Coordinators (REC) at RAF
Mil: 93832 5954 Civ: 02392
l
RAF: Personal Learning Advisors
the following single-Service education and
(PLAs), and Resettlement and
Army: Individual Education and
Learning Centres. Education and
guidance on eligibility or education/
Resettlement Officers (IERO), at Army
Resettlement Staff seeking further
learning or resettlement needs. Policy
Education Centres, which must be used
clarification of sS instructions should
helpline details are as follows.
by Service leavers on resettlement.
contact SO2 Accreditation at DII:
RN: RN/RM Education and
Education and Resettlement Staff
’22TrgGp-CTS-AndEWg-SO2’ (
Resettlement Officers (EROs), Naval
seeking further clarification of sS
95751 6888 Civ: 01400 266888)
Education and Training Support
instructions should contact the relevant
Officers (NETSOs) and Naval
SO2 Retention and Resettlement in
In addition, advice on any aspect of the
Resettlement Information Officers
Regional Command (RC) – DII: RC-Pers-
ELC and FEHE schemes is available from:
(NRIOs) at RN/RM Learning Centres.
ETS-N-RetResSO2 or RC-Pers-ETS-S-
applications, not provide advice and
l
l
Mil:
People-TESRR-ResetOffice@mod.uk Q
WANT TO WIN £250?
Tell us your story. Feature in QUEST and be in with a chance of winning our quarterly cash prize! Here at QUEST we’re always keen to hear from our readers. Whether you’re still serving and have already amassed an impressive array of qualifications (and are perhaps still working on others), or you’ve already negotiated the resettlement process and are well into your new life – and work – in civvy street, why not be an inspiration to other QUEST readers and let us know about your experiences? Your own personal learning or resettlement story could feature in a future edition, helping others see just where their own skills and qualifications could take them.
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January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
And that’s not all – aside from the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping and inspiring those who are following in your footsteps, you could also get your hands on our quarterly £250 prize! Every three months we’ll select one reader’s success story as our lucky winner. So, help others and potentially help yourself! What are you waiting for? Visit www.questonline.co.uk/ pages/the-quest-questionnaire where you can find out more and download a copy of the QUEST QUESTIONNAIRE. We look forward to hearing from you …
Readers must consult their Single Service Advisors BEFORE committing to courses When responding to advertisements please mention Quest
In a property or construction-related role in the Armed Forces? Why not study a Built Environment degree programme with UCEM? UCEM is a leading, supported online provider of accessible, flexible and cost-effective education producing leading talent for a better Built Environment.
“Flexibility and support was key for me as being in the Army I get deployed regularly… During these deployments I could not have wished for better support from the tutors and support staff.”
Andrew Dodson, BSc (Hons)
Construction Management student, WO2 – Deputy Facilities Manager, British Army’
1/4 page.indd 1
All our programmes are delivered via supported online education and we are an approved provider (1322) for the Ministry of Defence Enhanced Learning Credit Scheme (ELCAS) for armed forces personnel and all our programmes are available under this scheme. See www.ucem.ac.uk for more information
19/12/2017 16:39
questonline.co.uk l January 2018
45
Q
HUB THE
THE HUB
>> Course and training options, transition news and reader reports
Valuable training package awarded to first ‘deserving delegate’
Corporate Risk Systems Limited had a programme of donating an MoD Full House training package, valued at £2,600, to a deserving delegate at all remaining BFRS events in 2017. The first of these was Kimberley Edmunds-Jones, who was nominated by the charity Armed Forces Bikers. The reason behind her nomination was that she has not found things easy since leaving the military – she has PTSD, but has worked hard to overcome barriers due to this. At present she is having difficulty securing full-time employment, but does pick up some part-time work. The training package is of particular interest to Kimberley due to the path she wants to take, and the charity knows it will be the sort of training she can ‘really get her teeth into’. Kimberly was presented with the certificate that will allow her to claim her future training at the recent BFRS Catterick Jobs and Careers Fair, by David Hancock-Dexter, Sales Manager for Corporate Risk Systems Limited, and Amanda Wood-Woolley from Armed Forces Bikers. David and Kimberley initially thought that the combination of the Nebosh National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, Nebosh Certificate in Environmental Management and Nebosh Fire Safety and Risk Management Certificate would be ideal for future job applications. Get in touch 01332 527107 advice@crsrisk.com www.crsrisk.com See the advertisement on page 11
>> SECURITY CAREERS
Security events website If you’re considering a career in the security industry, find out key information about events that may be of interest to you by visiting the All Security Events website at http://allsecurityevents.com/
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January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
Your choice for specialist customised learning solutions
Train2Train has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the Armed Forces, with most of its tutors having experienced full colour service. They are specialists in creating customised learning solutions and are committed to designing high-quality, bespoke training programmes that are delivered by expert tutors. The company has also developed a reputation for going the extra mile for its customers and, as such, is trusted by some of the UK’s largest brands. Looking to continue its success in 2018, Train2Train has now released dates for two of its most popular courses … l Compliance Training Instructor (CTI): 29 January–9 February 2018, Doncaster/Wakefield; 14–25 May 2018, Catterick Garrison; 5–16 November 2018 Greetham Valley l NEBOSH combined General Certificate and National Certificate in Fire and Risk Management: 19 November–14 December 2018. If you are looking to deliver either accredited or non-accredited training through your own company or a training provider, or are looking to add a great compliance string to your bow, then the Compliance Training Instructor course is a brilliant addition to any CV. If you are looking to get into the world of health and safety, or similarly looking for a generalised specific-to-all qualification, then the NEBOSH ticks all the boxes. For further information on Train2Train, visit www.train2train.org
I DID IT!
>> SECURITY CAREERS
Name: Jamie Fanneran Final rank: Sergeant Years served: 15 Course: Open I.T (various courses)
Jamie Fanneran, 31, served in the Royal Signals, specialising as a Communications Systems Operator, before leaving the Services in January 2016 ‘to settle my family in a fixed location, to give my children stability and schooling. I also wanted to start early on a second career rather than playing catch-up later post-military.’ We asked Jamie to tell us about the training and experience gained during his Service career that he now finds useful in civilian life. Jamie says, ‘I have various IT and telecoms skills that I can apply to the commercial environment. Although most skills are transferable, the more technical elements are bespoke to the MoD, therefore recertifying through resettlement was vital for me.’ While serving, he also achieved civilian qualifications including various management NVQs as well as NVQs in engineering and telecoms (mainly through Foundation Modern Apprenticeships). During resettlement, as well as his CTW, he also undertook the ISO 27001 Lead Implementor and Lead Auditor course, which was completed using IT Governance. Jamie’s online-based training with Open I.T was, he says, ‘very useful’. ‘They provided me with some good certifiable attributes. That was the reason I was able to gain such fast and solid employment. I decided to move into the information/IT security space and Open I.T provided me with the training to get certified in a number of key areas that employers were screaming out for from their IT professionals. Through Open I.T I have managed to achieve the following certifications: CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, CCNA Routing and Switching, CCNA Security and CISSP, and I’m currently going through the process of certifying in Microsoft’s MCSE: Server Architecture. These are vital certifications for me that give my employer the confidence that I can work in a multitude of technical areas, and be able to provide the necessary support and guidance from a security perspective.’ He is now working for FIS Global in Birmingham as a Senior Information Security Officer for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Jamie says that the job involves ‘managing the information security compliance aspects for various business lines such as retail payments solutions and banking hosted services, as well as provisioning of key contracts, providing technical solutions to the financial and retail sector. I also ensure that corporate information systems are kept in a secure manner and are up to current regulatory standards. ‘Working in a small, close-knit team of professionals is fantastic – being given a task, and allowed the freedom to run it and provide periodic progress reports. Knowing that cyber-security is the next big thing, any competence in IT or security in general is a bonus when looking at future employment prospects. ‘The relaxed atmosphere of my new role makes it easier to integrate with different areas of the business, and engage with many external agencies and clients. Not wearing a uniform took some getting used to, although having the freedom to choose your own suit for work makes you feel more integrated with the local community. My salary is currently slightly higher than it was in the MoD, and is due to shoot up in line with the current commercial rate for my job role, which means it will surpass my MoD salary by a long way.’ Open I.T is a UK Learning Centre that helps thousands of working professionals, Service personnel and jobseekers into IT training programmes every year. Open I.T works with the MoD to provide resettlement training and accreditations on behalf of all major vendors such as Microsoft, Cisco and CompTIA, covering industryrecognised professional courses and certifications such as the MCSE, CCNA, CCIE, CompTIA A+, Security+, ITIL, Prince2, CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker). For full course listings, information and prices, please contact our resettlement training staff (see contact details below).
Licensing matters: photographs When you apply for a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence, you are asked for a passport-sized photograph of yourself. Depending on the specific circumstances of your application, this photo may be taken by counter staff at a post office, uploaded by your employer or be physically posted to the SIA by you. People sometimes ask why the SIA doesn’t just use photographs that have already been provided to other government agencies – for example, Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) or the DVLA. The answer is, before the SIA can issue you with a licence, it must confirm your identity. One of the ways in which it does this is by comparing the photograph you provide with the photograph on your identity documents. There is little point in doing this if the photograph it is checking and the photograph it is checking it against are the same! If you are applying for a front-line licence, the photograph you provide will be printed on the front of the licence. The photograph must therefore meet SIA requirements. If it doesn’t, it will be rejected and your application will be put on hold until you supply another photograph. For more useful info like this, on security careers and the security industry, visit www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/Pages/home. aspx
Get in touch 0800 599 99 98 or 01279 621 750 resettlement@openittraining.com www.openittraining.com/elc See the advertisement on page 9
One man’s transition to traditional boat building Geoff Bowker tells us how the courses he took at Lyme Regis-based Boat Building Academy set him on course for a successful new career … ‘Having had a life around boats of all shapes and sizes, and with my Royal Navy (RN) commission coming to its natural end after 35 years, I was seeking a second career. I had a lifelong passion for woodworking and found myself at the Boat Building Academy at Lyme Regis, first on the one-week Traditional Boatbuilding course, using some resettlement allowance, and then on the 38-week Boat Building, Maintenance and Support course (this has now been extended into a 40-week course). I graduated in summer
2015 with a City & Guilds 2463 level 3 Diploma in Marine Construction, Systems Engineering and Maintenance, as well as the industry-wide recognised Boat Building Academy Certificate. ‘At the end of the course I found a workshop, amassed tools (old, antique hand tools are often better quality than new ones), arranged appropriate insurance and had some business cards printed. I started building an 8ft wooden boat for my own experience, which should have taken three to four months to complete. However, the distributed business cards and conversations with boat owners and marina operators generated work and the dinghy build stretched into a couple of years. Most of the jobs were carrying out repairs and restoration on wooden boats, both
in my workshop and in local boat yards. My most interesting job was probably designing, making and installing a set of teak cockpit furniture in a fibreglass pleasure boat. ‘The BBA course was an extraordinary experience. It has given me a new career in wooden boats and woodworking, which I love.’ Get in touch 01297 445545 office@boatbuildingacademy.com www.boatbuildingacademy.com See the advertisement on page 59
questonline.co.uk l January 2018
47
Q
THE HUB
>> SPORTING CHANCE
>> FIRST WORLD WAR COMMEMORATION
Former Army Major tries out with Team BRIT
Centrepiece of commemorations announced for 100th anniversary of Armistice Day in 2018
Bernie Broad, a former Army Major with the Grenadier Guards, recently spent the day with Team BRIT, which aims to be the first ever alldisabled team to race in Le Mans. The team took part in the UK Fun Cup championship in 2017 – the first stage of their motorsport journey – and will move on to GT4 racing in 2018. He met the team at their recent race at Oulton Park and was invited back to take part in a testing day at Brands Hatch. After medically retiring from the armed forces in 2014, having lost both legs below the knee due to injuries sustained in an explosion in Helmand Province in 2009, Bernie has used sport to kick-start his drive and fitness, and regularly swims, walks and plays golf. Last year he was invited to head up the UK team at the Invictus Games in Toronto. At Brands Hatch, Bernie was able to test the team’s world-leading hand controls, which have been designed to ensure that the team’s disabled drivers can compete on a level playing field with able-bodied drivers. He was also taken out in the cars by current rookies undergoing coaching at the track. Bernie was invited back for further coaching sessions over the winter so that he can learn more about the team and the potential to become a driver in 2018. ‘I had such a great day at the track with Team BRIT,’ says Bernie. ‘The last time I had such an adrenaline rush was when I was dodging rockets in Afghanistan, however the racing was definitely a lot more fun! The team, the ethos and the supporting staff just inspire confidence in what is a very demanding sport. What a fantastic opportunity to be able to participate in such a challenging sport, only made possible by the team and the supporting staff who give drivers the confidence to achieve.’ Fancy yourself behind the wheel? Find out more about Team BRIT here: www.teambrit.co.uk You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for regular updates.
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January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
A major piece of art, depicting the more than 72,000 Service personnel killed in Britain’s bloodiest battle, will form a focal point as the nation commemorates 100 years since the end of the First World War on 11 November 2018. The ‘Shrouds of the Somme’ project will bring home the sheer scale of human sacrifice in the battle that came to epitomise the bloodshed of the 1914–18 war – the Battle of the Somme. Somerset artist Rob Heard has had the painstaking task of making more than 72,000 hand-stitched shrouds, each wrapped around a 12-inch figure, one for each of the Servicemen killed in the Somme but with no known grave. This unique and thought-provoking project will also give members of the public the opportunity to take part as a plea goes out for relatives of the dead to participate. Shrouds of the Somme is ‘Asking the Nation’ to search their family archives for pictures and details of those who died during the Battle of the Somme and are commemorated on the largest Commonwealth war memorial in the world: the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme in France. Members of the public will be able to upload their own photographs and stories of these men to the digital archive via the Shrouds of the Somme website at https:// shroudsofthesomme.com/ Speaking as the Shrouds of the Somme was officially launched, project chairman, Cdre Jake Moores OBE DL, appealed for members of the public to get involved: ‘Remembering
those thousands who fell as individual men is crucial to honouring their sacrifice – but so little is known about so many of them. We are calling out to the nation, asking them to send us photos and stories of these remarkable men - these fathers, husbands, brothers. Tell us who they were, where they were from, what they did – make them real, give them dignity. Bringing the individual to the forefront of these unimaginable numbers will help the nation to truly understand the scale of the loss of those who gave their all.’ Although Shrouds of the Somme is aimed at creating a visual memorial in the 100th anniversary year of the end of the First World War, it will also act as a rallying point for public donations to military charities still supporting the veterans of today, such as SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. To find out more, visit https://shroudsofthesomme.com/
Make Miricyl’s Get Fit for a Miracle event your new year’s resolution This January, QUEST is pleased to support the charity Miricyl – Mental Illness Research in Children and Young Lives. You can help too. Read on to find out how … Mental illness is the number-one cause of illness in children and young people. And the children of veterans can be particularly at risk if one of their parents is suffering from a mental illness. To help fund research, why not take part in Miricyl’s January Get Fit for a Miracle event? Its aim is to raise funds and awareness for young people affected by mental illness – and to help you turn your new year’s resolution into a habit for life. Here’s how you can get involved … 1. Take Miricyl’s 66-day challenge (research shows that the 66-day length of the challenge is the time needed to form a new habit).
2.
Commit not just to yourself but to friends and family in exchange for sponsorship to complete the challenge. 3. The Get Fit for a Miracle website lets you track your fitness and fundraising progress, and links with fitness apps like MapMyFitness, Strava and Fitbit. You can create a team on the website so you have buddies to train with. Sign up today at www.getfitfor amiracle.miricyl.org and register as being introduced by QUEST – that way, we will know how much money we have raised and everything you raise will go specifically to support research for the children of veterans. Make it your 2018 resolution to help yourself get fitter, and to help children and young people affected by mental illness.
Technique – the way
Airline ops and dispatch: forward for ELCAS users meeting the challenge of change
Technique Learning Solutions is a popular training provider for Forces leavers eligible for ELCAS funding. Based in four UK training centres (Chesterfield, Watford, Stirling and Aberdeen), Technique has firmly cemented itself in place as one of the UK’s top providers of electrical, air conditioning and refrigeration, and PLC courses. Its aim is to provide all candidates with the very best usable knowledge at a competitive price, and with more than 200 years of combined experience between its tutors, it certainly has the wealth of knowledge to fulfil that. In addition, its dedicated and helpful staff are all on hand to make the process of booking your course and claiming your funding as smooth as possible. The process is a simple one for ELCAS users. First, you must decide which of the courses on offer most interests you and speak your training/resettlement officer. He/she will then give you authority to proceed to book the course. You will then be given your MoD 1746 form, which you simply fill out and fax it over to Technique. All that remains to be done after that is to forward over your Credit Authorisation Note (CAN Form) when you receive it and pay your personal contribution. A recent benefactor of the ELCAS scheme, Corporal Joshua Davis, left the following review after his course: ‘I would 100% use and recommend this provider again in the future. The training, tuition, instruction, facilities and the overall relaxed and professional environment made for an excellent learning environment. Staff were extremely friendly and were always there to help. If there were any issues in the day, all staff were approachable, including the owner. Again, this added to the relaxed environment.’ Dates for Technique Learning Solutions’ 2018 courses are now available to view on its website at www.learntechnique.com
Some things don’t change but, being at the forefront of technology, aviation does – constantly. Operational standards, and training, must meet the challenges of such changes. Operations and flight dispatch personnel are responsible for flight planning and preparation for flights, so that pilots don’t need to spend their vital duty periods doing it themselves. In the USA there is a Dispatchers Licence, but in the rest of the world, the nearest thing to verified approval is the City & Guilds accredited award. Both have their origins in the recommended syllabus from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which seeks to promote safe standards that are common worldwide. As air transport advances, so does training. Programmes to meet these standards are often available only ‘in house’ as airlines provide for their own staff, and some locations in the USA provide classroom courses tailored to US standards and procedures. Courses designed according to worldwide procedures are also available via open learning, which enables candidates to take the full City & Guilds course in their own home at their own speed. Exams can be taken in the UK or at British Councils around the world. Avtech2000 provides such programmes and is ELC approved, so you need only pay a small proportion of the total cost of course and exams. It’s a considerable qualification involving five exams totalling nine hours (or add another extra two-hour exam if you have no previous experience and need the foundation course as well). Avtech is currently making significant upgrades to all of its units to keep up to date, so not surprisingly it is used not only by UK military personnel on resettlement, but also intercontinental airlines like Qantas, many major European carriers and indeed the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Get in touch 01452 722528
See the advertisement on page 19
administrator@avtech2000.co.uk www.avtech2000.co.uk See the advertisement on page 12
>> JOB FAIRS CTP Employment Fair 15 February 2018, Salford CTP Employment Fair 22 March 2018, Newbury These CTP employment fairs offer: l a fantastic networking opportunity, whether you’re ready to apply for live jobs or simply researching the market l the chance to meet employers who already recognise the skills and experience Service leavers can offer l presentations from key employers about their recruitment processes and vacancies l a wide range of companies, from small regional organisations to large multinationals, across a host of industry sectors l the opportunity to chat with Service support organisations, CTP staff and other Service leavers who are also going through the resettlement process. They are open only to serving and ex-military personnel who have pre-registered to attend through the CTP. This is a great networking opportunity. Don’t miss out on the chance to meet employers with current and future job vacancies! In addition, the full list of Employment Fair dates for 2018 are now available and ready to book (see right). If you wish to book on to any of these dates, call the CTP Central Bookings Team on 0203 162 4410, email CTPEvents@ctp.org.uk or visit https://www.ctp.org.uk/events to find out more.
Event Date North West Employment Fair
15 February 2018
South Central Employment Fair
22 March 2018
East Midlands/East Employment Fair
19 April 2018
Scotland Employment Fair
10 May 2018
South West Employment Fair
6 June 2018
South East/East Employment Fair
5 July 2018
North East Employment Fair
27 September 2018
South Coast Employment Fair
11 October 2018
West Midlands Employment Fair
29 November 2018
questonline.co.uk l January 2018
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Q
YOUR RESETTLEMENT SUCCESS STORY FACTFILE
Josh Keeley, 26, is something of a recruitment industry superstar. Having joined recruitment company Huntress Search Ltd in June 2016 as a consultant, the ex-Royal Marine has already been promoted four times and now manages an entire department. Undoubtedly one of the company’s biggest hitters, he tells us how he aced his resettlement! In uniform
H 50
down and talk us through our options, give us advice on particular courses and help with the transition to civvy street.’
Qualified success Josh has racked up an impressive array of telecoms qualifications using his ELC funding (listed in the accompanying box). And, although his working life has since
Education-wise, as well as the wide
taken a completely different direction, his
aving enlisted at the start of 2010,
range of driver licences, First Aid at
enthusiasm for ELC has not and he has
Josh spent six years as a Royal
Work and Mortars HW3 and Driver D2
his sights set on a business management
Marine in 40 Commando RM,
qualifications he got under his belt while
course in the near future. He says, ‘I
specialising in Heavy Weapons (Mortars). ‘I
serving, already with an eye to his future
would advise all Service leavers to make
had a fantastic experience during my time
he made sure he registered for ELC. ‘The
the most of ELC, especially during their
in the Corps and I would highly recommend
education officers within the Royal Marines
12-month notice period. You will never have
people to join. The life skills, friends you
and especially at 40 Commando RM were
more spare time on your hands than in
make and experiences are like no other and
very helpful,’ he says. ‘They would book in
resettlement.’
will stay with you for the rest of your life.’
time slots during our resettlement to sit
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
IF YOU KEEP YOUR DISCIPLINE AND HARD WORK GOING INTO CIVVY STREET, THAT GIVES YOU A REAL EDGE
within the telecoms/fibre-optic industry,
to employ Associate Consultants within the
but the course was very well run. The make-
IT team and I decided to go for it! Having
up was 90% Service leavers, which really
a technical background has really helped
helps when you are all going through the
when speaking to both candidates and
same transition. Also it was a mixed-ranked
clients, and I soon found myself at Senior
course, which again helped a lot, as the
Consultant level of Huntress’s career
junior guys leaving could draw from the life
pathway.
experiences of more senior personnel. It’s
‘I have been working for Huntress
also worth noting that all the instructors
since February 2016 and have been
were ex-military, meaning they were
promoted four times. In September 2017,
empathetic towards our situations.
I was appointed recruitment manager
‘The course was a mixture of academic
GETTING ON COURSE Josh used his ELC towards … l Level 3 BTEC Advanced Award in Managing PONs and Air Blown Fibre Systems l Level 3 BTEC Advanced Award in Access Networks l C&G 6157-01 Unit 002 Signing, Lighting and Guarding l C&G 3667-02 Unit 101 Basic Principles of Communications Cabling l C&G 3667-02 Unit 102 Fibre Optic Cabling in an Internal Environment l C&G 3667-02 Unit 103 Fibre Optic Cabling in an External Environment l C&G 3667-02 Unit 104 Copper Cabling in an Internal Environment
of Blackthorn Trace – a new brand that
(BTEC) and vocational,
operates under the Huntress group of
as this helps you find a
companies – specialising in cyber security
job you’re more likely
and cloud computing. I currently manage a
to enjoy and remain
team of three consultants. Having started
in. There were weekly
working at Huntress as an entry-level
tests to pass certain
recruiter, I managed to work my way up
modules, and sharing the
pretty quickly to a Principal Consultant role,
same accommodation
following which I was given the opportunity
allowed us to come
to lead Blackthorn Trace.
together and draw on
‘Being a recruiter at Huntress gives
our collective strengths
you a really varied working environment.
and weaknesses
One day you can be out of the office
when revising. There
all day on client meetings, the next you
was a fair amount of
can be at one of London’s top law firms
practical hands-on
hosting an employment law seminar. We
workshop training as well,
are well rewarded for hard work, showing
Moving on
with fantastic facilities. However, the
integrity and being successful. I have won
Despite enjoying his time in uniform, Josh
course certainly isn’t easy, and it requires
a few of the quarterly business incentives,
decided it was time to leave and began
dedication and revision to pass the exams.
including a trip to Amsterdam and a few
his resettlement in 2015, attending his
‘We also got exposure to employers
CTW at RAF Northolt. ‘The workshop was
and CTTS has an in-house recruiter who
extremely useful,’ he says. ‘It allowed me to
really helps with potential job openings.
engage with all ranks from across the three
You are put in touch with employers who
Services, and listen to their experiences and
have a military intake programme, such as
the way they were looking at approaching
Huntress Search Ltd.’ Indeed, on leaving
the civilian job market.
the Services, Josh first found work as an IT
‘I also signed up to the Institute of Telecoms Professionals, which allowed
network engineer. ‘I acted as a field engineer around
me to attend networking courses.
London,’ he says. ‘However, there was a
These were very helpful and I would
lot of travelling required and I would often
recommend all Service leavers to attend
find myself in Torquay, Liverpool and all
as many networking events, relevant
over the place. The transition was too
to your potential industry, as possible.
difficult – going from being around 30 of
I have recently attended JP Morgan’s
your closest friends daily to being on your
and Barclays’ military engagement
own in a van for hours on end was too big
programmes.’
a contrast. I left after four months.’
Starting out in telecoms Initially, his interest lay in IT and telecoms:
Finding his niche in recruitment
‘I signed up for the CTTS Fibre Optic and
Unhappy in his field engineer role, Josh
Network Engineering course in Lincoln.
got talking to a family friend who was an
I had ex-colleagues who had previously
employee at London-based recruitment
been on the course and it came highly
consultancy, Huntress Search Ltd. ‘She
recommended. I had no prior experience
explained that the company was looking
questonline.co.uk l January 2018
51
Q
COURSE YOUR FACTFILE RESETTLEMENT CHOICES SUCCESS STORY
days out in London. I love the fact that, when I joined Huntress, senior management made it very clear that we have a meritocratic culture: your career path is determined by you and no one else at the company. That’s why I believe ex-military personnel make for such great recruiters. You are rewarded for your hard work and successes. ‘It doesn’t come easy though. Don’t be surprised to find yourself working at 9
ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT THE MILITARY IS THE AMAZING EXPERIENCES AND PLACES YOU GO TO
o’clock on a Sunday night to arrange interviews for the Monday morning. But the look on candidates’ faces when you tell them they have a new job they dreamed sure you find the right team. It’s a very
Transferable skills
competitive industry, but if you are good at
In terms of the training or experience
sales and have a genuine persona you won’t
gained during his Service career that he’s
‘My role is very much like a Section
be short of offers from agencies. That’s why
now finding useful in civilian life, Josh
Commander in the military. I have a team of
finding the right team fit is so important –
cites: ‘Mainly the core values that are
four consultants who I am responsible for
you will spend a lot of time with those guys,
instilled in us from our basic training –
on a daily, weekly, quarterly and yearly basis
lots of ups and downs. You also need the
courage, determination, cheerfulness and
(including performance and appraisals). I am
right company, with an environment that
unselfishness. If you keep your discipline
also a billing manager, which means that I
supports your career goals. Too often you
and hard work going into civvy street, that
still work a 360-degree recruitment job (the
find recruiters’ CVs with no stability – quite
gives you a real edge, and it’s the reason
full recruitment process from sourcing to
ironic when we are meant to be career
you see so many ex-military people in
placement), servicing both candidates and
experts!’
senior positions for some of the world’s top
of makes it all worthwhile.’
The day job
clients.
organisations.’
‘Recruitment is a very demanding job. We work long hours, and must be well organised and have strong core values. Huntress rewards its people and that is something I have brought over to my team too. We go on days and evenings out, enjoy trips abroad (Amsterdam, Paris, etc.) and have a fantastic time trying out all sorts of new experiences, like climbing the O2 or going to Nobu for dinner! ‘For anyone looking to get into recruitment, I would advise that you make
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO WORK IN RECRUITMENT? Josh on his job …
‘My team and I always plan our days the evening before, according to the balance of our business. Your desk is treated as your own business and you prioritise things however you feel necessary. For example, when I have a high volume of jobs to fill I will adjust my day to ensure I have enough time to resource and speak to/meet suitable candidates.’ ‘I would be lying if I didn’t say recruitment is hard work.’ ‘I am motivated by personal and professional goals – we all need a reason to get out of bed early and leave the office later than others. My personal goal at present is to save enough money to move from my flat to a house and relocate closer to London.’ ‘Knowing there are other consultants in other agencies potentially working on the same vacancies, I need to work harder and smarter to beat the competition. If you have an innate need to win, you will succeed in recruitment.’ ‘Recruitment isn’t like most other jobs. You need to be flexible and adaptable to understand there are many factors out of your control. For example, you might have a job offer for a candidate who has three other offers – how do you show the candidate that your offer is the best suited to them, while providing a great service to your client?’
My amazing team at the Huntress Christmas party!
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January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
‘You will make mistakes, but more importantly, you have to learn from them quickly otherwise you won’t be in recruitment for very long.’
As for the skills and aptitudes picked up
in create these bonds. You don’t get as
networking events. I would have thought
in uniform and transferable to civilian life,
much downtime in civvy street, and being
very long and hard about the sector/job role
there are plenty of positives there too: ‘In
young in the military you are somewhat
to go into, and not just followed what my
particular, our ability to manage difficult
looked after from a welfare point of view. If
colleagues had previously done. I would have
tasks in stressful situations. In recruitment,
you run out of money, you can still eat and
done more research, research, research!
there are a lot of external factors you can’t
sleep under a roof. Nobody looks after you
control, like a candidate not turning up to
when you leave, you must grow up fast and
asking questions and doing your research.
an interview or a client no longer wanting
take responsibility for your own actions.
Reach out to senior managers/directors
to hire for a particular vacancy you’ve been
Also you must learn to be politically correct
in top organisations in the UK who are
working on. Being able to stay calm under
very quickly – they have HR teams in civvy
ex-military. You will be very surprised by
pressure while coming up with a solution
street!
how willing they are to help you – the more
is a great asset to have in recruitment. It
‘I can’t stress enough the importance of
‘One of the best things about the
senior they are, the more likely they are to
makes you an indispensable member of the
military is the amazing experiences and
help! Second, I would look at organisations
team; someone your teammates can rely
places you go to – and get paid for it. You
that have military engagement programmes,
on for help when things don’t go according
have to create these opportunities for
such as BT and the top banks. This is all part
to plan.
yourself in the corporate world’ … However,
of their corporate social responsibility and
‘It also takes a lot of resilience to work
‘you are home every night and your time is
they hold frequent events, so put yourself
in a sales role. You need to be able to take
your own. You can take annual leave when
out there.’
rejection and brush it off quite quickly so as
it suits your lifestyle and for as long as you
not to affect team morale – also a great deal
like. I personally believe that civvy street
Get in touch with Josh
may be just around the corner so you need
offers more opportunities to take whatever
Josh has kindly said that he would be very
to keep going and not give up.’
career path you choose, and there truly are
happy to answer any questions you may
no limits to what you can achieve.’
have: ‘please just drop me an email and we
If there are any downsides to leaving, they are largely to do with the fact that,
can arrange a time to speak’ – josh.keeley@
says Josh, ‘you will never find the bond
Sound advice
you had with your friends in the military
‘If I could do my resettlement all over again,’
elsewhere. The situations you find yourself
says Josh, ‘I would have attended more
blackthorntrace.com Visit Huntress Search Ltd’s website here: www.huntress.co.uk/join-huntress/ Q
Is your future with Turners? Class 1 drivers required Nationally
Please phone or email for an application form or for more information on the following
Class 1 Training available
Trudy Crane T: 01205 820972 ext 1216 E: trudy.crane@coolfoodmovers.com
Tramping/Days/Nights out/Markets/Supermarkets
turners-distribution.com questonline.co.uk l January 2018
53
Q
FACTFILE YOUR RESETTLEMENT TRANSITION SUPPORT
It’s all about that base
Stoll is the leading provider of supported housing for Veterans, helping the most vulnerable Service leavers by providing them with an affordable home to rent and the support they need to lead independent lives. Former Para Steve Plume tells us how they gave him a firm foundation on which to build his life …
Veterans since it started as a pilot in 2009. It covers the whole of England and there are currently more than 90 partner landlords. Steve met his then wife and went on to have children. Sadly, their relationship broke
O
riginally from Germany, Steve
threw me and I ended up moving into Mike
down and Steve left the property: ‘I wanted
Plume joined the Army in 2006
Jackson house [supported housing for
my kids to have a roof over their heads and
when he was 21. Steve was based
single Veterans who are homeless or at
somewhere established to live. After my
in Catterick with the Parachute Regiment.
risk of homelessness and who have support
wife and I made the decision to separate,
Paratroopers are trained to conduct a range
needs]. I had my surgery and then spent
I stayed in the house for a few days but I
of missions, from prevention and pre-emption tasks, to complex,
six weeks recovering. My case worker at Mike Jackson house referred
high-intensity war fighting. In 2008, Steve was medically discharged: ‘I loved my time in the Paras,’ he says, ‘and I didn’t want to leave, but I had no choice.’
me to Stoll and I was given a
Stoll provides safe and secure housing that allows Veterans to live comfortably and independently
Returning to civvy street, Steve went into construction work because he
54
Steve is currently primed to move in to one of the new homes in Aldershot that Stoll is building for Veterans
property of my own through their Veterans’ Nomination Scheme.’ The Veterans’ Nomination Scheme (VNS) provides access to housing for ex-Service men and
women who are looking to move on from temporary accommodation
didn’t want the situation to become toxic, so I stayed on a friend’s sofa. I wasn’t sure what to do next. I got back in touch with Stoll and, within about three weeks, I had moved in to a Stoll property in London.’ With a stable home, Steve was able to continue his professional development; he took a series of courses in construction to increase his skills and better his career prospects. He now works as a site manager and is currently working on the Battersea Power Station renovation.
had a qualification from his teenage years.
after a period of homelessness or for
He found out, though, that he needed
those who have found themselves living
am to 7 pm, and Steve would then drive
two major operations on his wrists, which
in unsuitable accommodation. The VNS is
to see his children in Farnborough at least
meant he would have to stop working for
run by Stoll in partnership with The Royal
four or five times a week. Eventually, this
a time: ‘I fell flat on my face. It completely
British Legion and has housed over 370
caught up with him: ‘I wasn’t coping with
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
Often, his working day lasted from 5
the distance from my kids. They
Stoll is the leading provider of
are four, three and 18 months
supported housing for Veterans.
old, and I couldn’t handle being
Most people who leave the Armed
so far away from them. The
Forces transition effectively
drive really was horrendous and
back into civilian life. But not
I was exhausted. I was ready to
everyone does. Stoll supports the most vulnerable Service
hand in the termination of my tenancy, but Stoll worked with me to find a property closer to Farnborough, which significantly improved my
Leavers by providing
Stoll offers a unique combination of housing, health and well-being support to vulnerable and disabled ex-Service men and women
people with an affordable home to rent and the support they need to lead independent charity, Walking
provides Stoll with an
Steve is currently primed to move in to one of the
Employment Advisor to support
new homes in Aldershot that Stoll
Veterans to get a job or training.
is building for Veterans. The £10 million development, on schedule
Find out more
to open in spring 2018, will
Stoll’s outreach team provides
create 34 much-needed homes
advice and support to Service
in Aldershot for those who have
leavers and Veterans on a wide
served in the Armed Forces and
range of issues, from housing
have support needs.
to work and benefits to access
With his family life looking
to expert healthcare: email
more balanced, Steve plans
outreach@stoll.org.uk or call
to continue his career in
020 7385 2110. To find out more
construction: ‘I can’t wait to move
about the VNS, visit www.stoll.
in – I will be even closer to my
org.uk/housing/elsewhere/
children. Stoll has been key in
and, for details of the new
my success and a massive help.
accommodation being built by
I think 100% that there should
Stoll, go to www.stoll.org.uk/
be more places like Stoll to
housing/at-stoll/aldershot/ Q
support Veterans throughout the resettlement process.’
Q
LUXURY SECURITY SOLUTIONS
lives. The
With The Wounded,
living circumstances.’
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Stoll 446 Fulham Road London SW6 1DT 020 7385 2110 outreach@stoll.org.uk www.stoll.org.uk Drop-in Stoll’s drop-in runs every second Wednesday of the month at its Fulham site (see above), in the Community Hall
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questonline.co.uk l January 2018
55
Q
YOUR RESETTLEMENT BOOKS
BOOK REVIEW
Words of wisdom
Ph o
to
by He a
e th
sfa or rH ll
An eclectic mix of war, love, fun and sadness, The Words of the Wise Old Paratrooper, by Robin Horsfall, is a collection of humorous short stories with a military flavour, accompanied by poetry and philosophical thoughts – some deep, others satirical …
into time and time again. I recently read two of my poems at a ‘slam’, which was fun’, Robin told QUEST. ‘Some of the audience and readers were very complimentary and linked me to Owens, Sassoon and Kipling.’
l
Thought provoking, humorous and often moving, the anthology uncovers
what you can do. l
Cartoon by Ernie McGookin
many of the emotions and inner thoughts
Wanna job? Tell me how you can make me or save me money!
of the ‘tough guy’. Its voice is a blend of
l
warrior poet, martial arts sage, military
l
If something needs doing do it now! To be special you don’t have to do
historian and just plain soldier-comedian.
extraordinary things, you only have
It takes the reader from the sublime to the
to do ordinary things extraordinarily
ridiculous and back again, without pause.
well.
Satirical and humorous stories are
l
balanced with maxims that demand
R
Don’t tell me what you think. Tell me
”
There’s can-do people and might-do people. I know which ones I prefer.
introspection and self-examination. The
l
Always volunteer.
collection is short and fast moving, but
l
Don’t do half a job.
once finished the reader is compelled to obin Horsfall was a soldier from
return to the beginning to discover what
The Words of the Wise Old Paratrooper
the ages of 15 to 32. He served
was missed the first time around.
is out now, retailing at £4.99 for the
with the Parachute Regiment,
the SAS, the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces and the Army of Sri Lanka, and was a Major in ‘Frelimo’, the Army of
“
Mozambique. He studied karate for most of his adult life, achieving the rank of
Here are some ‘wise words’, to give
you an idea:
and £7.99 in paperback. Order your
l
Do one thing well – not many things
copy from Robin’s Amazon author page
badly.
at www.amazon.co.uk/dp/197329981X/
High achievers start by doing what
ref=pd_ecc_rvi_1
l
others won’t do and finish by doing
6th Dan Black Belt until, in 2011, a neck fracture halted his career. During his
recovery he went to Surrey University,
Kindle edition (free on Kindle Unlimited)
what others can’t do.
l
Find out more about Robin’s work and background at www.robinhorsfall.co.uk Q
A man who constantly looks
backwards will make little progress.
where he studied English literature and
creative writing, graduating in 2016. He began posting ‘The Sayings of the Wise
Old Paratrooper’ on Facebook and later decided to collate them, along with his short stories and poetry, into this new collection. Its aim, says Robin, is to invoke introspection in the reader. ‘It’s a coffee table (or toilet!) book,’ he says, ‘that can be put down and picked up – and dipped
56
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
HHHHH A ‘WISE’ LOOK AT LIFE AND EXPERIENCES Review by Ian MacGregor, November 2017 A mixture of thought-provoking, amusing and, at times, reflective pieces of writing, making for an interesting outlook on the world and life in general. Contains snippets of Robin’s experiences in the SAS and Parachute Regiment. A book for everyone to read and most will decipher the tongue-in-cheek humour. Be warned, though, once you start this book, you will find it very difficult to put down again. Source: www.amazon.co.uk
Q
YOUR RESETTLEMENT TRAINERS IN FOCUS
Trades salaries in the spotlight Electricians’ salaries remain the highest in the building trades. Training provider Trade Skills 4U has some advice on how you too can join their well-paid ranks
What are trainees’ salaries like? An option many of the clients of Trade Skills 4U choose is to front-load their
While self-employed electricians
training and complete their technical
tend to earn more than those who are
certificates first (C&G2365 levels 2 and
employed, they have other costs to
3). This allows those entering the market
take into account, such as the cost of
as electricians’ mates to earn between
tools, van, costs of quoting and business
£21,000 and 25,000 per year (this is a
insurance, as well as registration on a
guide only and will vary depending on
competent persons scheme.
employer, location and type of job). A great way to increase your earnings
T
How realistic is it to earn over £30K as an electrician?
£30,765, while the 2017 results show
While salaries represent what you can
through further training. These courses
that there has been a slight increase of
earn when employed by a company the
will help you to qualify for higher pay
0.1%, with the average electrician earning
amounts earned as a contractor tend to
grades:
£30,784.
be more realistic. An experienced self-
1. Trainee Electrician – apprenticeship
he latest electricians’ salaries results are in! In 2016, the average UK electrician’s salary was
Salary ranges depend on a number
employed electrician should be earning
potential is to get plenty of on-the-job experience, build a good reputation, work hard and improve your knowledge
or electricians’ mate usually with C&G
of factors, such as experience, location,
on average above £30K per year, but our
qualifications, professional credentials
research suggests that earnings are more
(NVQ and ECS card level), employer and
likely to be around £35–40K per year,
level 3 NVQ and AM2 (these days, a
job responsibility. The starting salary for
and higher if working in London and the
2357)
an entry-level electrician will inevitably
south-east.
be lower, but will rise once they have gained the relevant electrical NVQs and
Ways to earn more
experience.
As with any career, the better you are at
Other trades’ salaries have increased
your job the more you can earn. There are
2365 Diplomas 2. Electrician – relevant qualifications,
3. Approved Electrician – as for 2 above, plus periodic inspection and testing qualification such as C&G 2394/2395 4. Site Technician – as per 3 above plus
across the board too, with roofers showing
a number of ways you can increase your
five-plus years’ experience (three
the biggest increase (5.8%), followed by
earnings, which really come down to how
in a supervisory role) plus a level 4
plumbers at 4.4%, however electricians
much effort you are prepared to put in.
qualification such as an HNC.
still earn nearly £1,000 more than any
l
other trade, on average.
Hourly rates/day rates Obtaining accurate data is a challenge as
l
Overtime: this is a great way to
We believe that if you are prepared to put
increase your earnings, especially
in the hours to build your business and
as overtime is often paid at a higher
work hard there is no limit to what you
hourly rate.
could potentially earn.
Agency work: if you are starting out,
Trade Skills 4U has a long affinity with
many electricians are either self-employed
working for an agency will allow you
the Armed Forces, with many Service
or contracting. Most self-employed
to gain the confidence and experience
leavers choosing us for their training. We
electricians generally charge a day rate,
to go on to apply for contracts direct.
are ELC registered so you can use your
Up-skilling: taking further training to
ELC for any of our resettlement courses.
an hourly rate or fixed rate for individual
l
jobs, therefore their earnings tend to
improving your grade could increase
fluctuate year on year, because work is
your earning potential; courses
For details of our full range of electrical
not guaranteed. That’s why it’s difficult to
to consider are the C&G 2394/95
courses, speak to our course advisers on
gauge exactly how much they earn as there
Inspection and Testing courses (for
01293 527999 or visit www.tradeskills4u.
are no statistics available on a national
Approved Electrician status) and the
co.uk/resettlement
level. However, depending on where you
C&G 2396 Electrical Design course
are based in the country, on average it
(for Site Technician status).
To find out more about building trades
Going self-employed: you will be able
careers take a look at our feature at
working in the south-east charges around
to earn a much higher wage once
www.questonline.co.uk/careers/career/
£45 per hour, or £350 per day.
you’ve set up on your own.
building-trades Q
appears that an experienced electrician
l
questonline.co.uk l January 2018
57
N ew
se ri es
Q
YOUR RESETTLEMENT HOW NOT TO LEAVE THE FORCES – PENSION PLANNING
STEVE BULLEYMENT
Your attention please!
L
ots of you won’t need
13 YEARS AFTER LEAVING, I’VE ONLY JUST STARTED TO PLAN MY FUTURE
to read this (if you’re leaving after more than
22 years), and some of you just won’t want to read it (pensions are very boring), but I’m hoping that some of you will – and that you will learn from my mistakes. I made a very bad effort at
It’s so easy to bury your
leaving the Forces. I didn’t follow
head in the sand, and as
the resettlement advice and, 13
motivational speaker Brian Tracy
years on, I so wish I had …
always says, ‘The time is going to pass, whether you do it or not.’
Pensions
I’ve found that the time will
Pensions are dull and you
pass so much faster than you
need to put some effort in to
think it will, so make a plan. One
understanding them. Why should
day you’ll be pleased you did.
you worry about retirement when it’s so far away? For me, 13 years after leaving (without completing my 22 years), I’ve only just started to plan my future. I’m 49, totally unprepared for the big birthdays that are rushing towards me, and I want to get hold of my younger, busy self and drag him to a financial advisor.
Why do I tell you all this?
Regular QUEST contributor, Steve Bulleyment, director of Lincolnshire-based specialist auto locksmith company Car Key Man, is here with the first in a new series of regular features on how not to leave the Forces. First under the microscope is pensions – undeniably boring, but at the same time vitally important to your future me that I don’t need to know
top of that I was a member
anything about it: there are
It would be easier not to. I’m
of the school parents group.
experts that will help, just like I’m
embarrassed that, as clever as I
So, it’s true. I was busy, but
an expert in car keys. The most
that doesn’t cut it I’m afraid.
painful truth – and I’m blushing
about business, I didn’t stop for
2. I couldn’t afford it. Again, kids are expensive. We had a
not sorting it out sooner was
plan. A plan that involved taking
good life then, and any extra
that I’d be embarrassed at what
the first £200–£300 out of every
money available was used
I had in place on leaving the
pay packet and investing it for
in the business. But, again,
Forces (not much). I also wasn’t
my old age. Now, I have plenty
another poor excuse.
prepared to cut down that £200–
of good excuses why I didn’t do
3. I had plenty of time, I’d do
£300 needed for the future. I so
it later. Unfortunately time passes by quickly. Now 13
1. I was too busy. That was true back then – I was very busy.
regret that.
a business, build it so that one day someone will pay you good money for it. Fortunately, my business has real value now, so in some ways my gamble has paid off. However, I’ll be investing my profits to play behind. So be smart, put this magazine down and make a plan.
Visit the Car Key Man YouTube Channel at: www.youtube.com/ channel/UCEyGDGBNdu9 qlux2VM8IWLw
So, I’m telling you this in the
years have passed and I’m
hope that one person will read it
only just doing it.
and recognise themselves in the
I had a son just learning to
58
as I type – is that one reason for
a while and take time to make a
this, so here goes …
If you’re planning on starting
catch-up as I’m some way I was trying to grow, and on
am, and as much as I’ve learned
P.S. Here’s the good news
same position. If you are leaving
Get in touch
talk and a daughter who’d
The truth is a mixture of all these
the Forces before qualifying for
just started school. That’s
things. I still know nothing about
your full pension, you’ll need to
enough running around for a
planning for my retirement, but
plan. Talk to your partner, and
Lincolncarkeyman@gmail.com
start. Then I had a business
having a business has taught
talk to an expert.
thecarkeyman.com Q
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
07832 147601 or 01522 514141
Quest March 2015 Final_2015 06/03/2015 13:16 Page 15 March 2015 Final_2015 06/03/2015 13:16 Page 15 Quest
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questonline.co.uk l January 2018
59
Q Courses and events YOUR RESETTLEMENT COURSES AND EVENTS FACTFILE
This guide includes the courses currently scheduled to run from February 2018 to April 2018 Additional courses may be scheduled by each Resettlement Centre according to demand. A list of all scheduled courses is available from your nearest Resettlement Centre. All the dates given should be confirmed with the relevant Resettlement Centres. Dates are correct at time of going to press.
To book onto any CTP courses, workshops or events, please call the central bookings team on 0203 162 4410 Visit www.ctp.org.uk for further details
RC Aldergrove
rcaldergrove@ctp.org.uk
RRC Catterick
RRC Cottesmore
rrccatterick@ctp.org.uk
rrccottesmore@ctp.org.uk
START DATE END DATE
START DATE END DATE
START DATE END DATE
CTW Mixed Class
CTW Junior Ranks
CTW Junior Ranks
19 February 2018 21 February 2018 12 March 2018 14 March 2018 16 April 2018 18 April 2018
20 February 2018 16 April 2018
Employment Support Programme Wksp
05 February 2018 19 February 2018 26 February 2018 05 March 2018 19 March 2018 16 April 2018
19 February 2018 15 March 2018
CTW Mixed Class
21 February 2018 15 March 2018
RRC Aldershot rrcaldershot@ctp.org.uk
START DATE END DATE CTW Junior Ranks 13 February 2018 15 February 2018 12 March 2018 14 March 2018 10 April 2018 12 April 2018
CTW Mixed Class
07 February 2018 21 February 2018 28 February 2018 07 March 2018 21 March 2018 18 April 2018
07 February 2018 14 February 2018 21 February 2018 28 February 2018 01 March 2018 08 March 2018 14 March 2018 21 March 2018 28 March 2018 12 April 2018 25 April 2018
06 February 2018 05 March 2018 20 March 2018 09 April 2018 30 April 2018
08 February 2018 07 March 2018 22 March 2018 11 April 2018 02 May 2018
20 March 2018
12 February 2018 12 March 2018
12 February 2018 12 March 2018
FAR All Ranks
Employment Support Programme Wksp
26 February 2018 28 February 2018 (Course location Brize Norton) 26 March 2018 28 March 2018 (Course location Brize Norton) 26 April 2018 28 April 2018 (Course location Brize Norton)
20 March 2018
CTW Officer
27 March 2018
06 February 2018 08 February 2018
27 March 2018
CTW SNCO
14 March 2018
14 March 2018
20 February 2018 22 February 2018 06 March 2018 08 March 2018 17 April 2018 19 April 2018
RRC Colchester
Employment Support Programme Wksp 06 March 2018
06 March 2018
FAR All Ranks 08 February 2018 08 February 2018 (Course location The Bell, St Omer Barracks)
New Horizons in Retirement 27 March 2018
27 March 2018
Self Employment Awareness 09 March 2018 13 April 2018
09 March 2018 13 April 2018
CTW Mixed Class 05 February 2018 12 February 2018 19 February 2018 26 February 2018 27 February 2018 06 March 2018 12 March 2018 19 March 2018 26 March 2018 10 April 2018 23 April 2018
05 February 2018 08 February 2018 (Course location Preston) 30 April 2018 03 May 2018 (Course location Preston) CTW Officer/SNCO 20 February 2018 22 February 2018 12 March 2018 14 March 2018 09 April 2018 11 April 2018 23 April 2018 25 April 2018
20 March 2018
Employment Support Programme Wksp 20 March 2018
22 February 2018 18 April 2018
FAR All Ranks Self Employment Awareness
rrcnortholt@ctp.org.uk
START DATE END DATE CTW Mixed Class 05 February 2018 19 February 2018 05 March 2018 12 March 2018 09 April 2018 23 April 2018
07 February 2018 21 February 2018 07 March 2018 14 March 2018 11 April 2018 25 April 2018
22 February 2018 22 March 2018 26 April 2018
23 February 2018 23 March 2018 27 April 2018
Employment Support Programme Wksp
CTW Officer/SNCO
Employment Support Programme Wksp
08 March 2018 08 March 2018 (Course location External Venue) 18 April 2018 18 April 2018 (Course location Cosford)
Self Employment Awareness 13 February 2018 19 March 2018 17 April 2018
13 February 2018 19 March 2018 17 April 2018
RC Germany
rcgermany@ctp.org.uk START DATE END DATE CTW Junior Ranks 20 February 2018 22 February 2018 13 March 2018 15 March 2018 24 April 2018 26 April 2018
CTW Officer/SNCO 13 February 2018 06 March 2018 17 April 2018
15 February 2018 08 March 2018 19 April 2018
19 February 2018 19 March 2018 16 April 2018
19 February 2018 19 March 2018 16 April 2018
Employment Support Programme Wksp
FAR All Ranks 22 February 2018
60
January 2018 l questonline.co.uk
22 February 2018
Employment Support Programme Wksp 27 March 2018
27 March 2018
Central London
resettlementinfo@ctp.org.uk START DATE END DATE CTW Senior Officer 13 February 2018 13 March 2018 10 April 2018
15 February 2018 15 March 2018 12 April 2018
FAR Senior officers 01 March 2018
01 March 2018
Interview Techniques (Snr Officer) 05 March 2018
05 March 2018
RC Northolt
rcnortholt@ctp.org.uk START DATE END DATE CTW Mixed Class 12 February 2018 26 February 2018 12 March 2018 09 April 2018
14 February 2018 28 February 2018 14 March 2018 11 April 2018
19 February 2018 19 March 2018 16 April 2018
21 February 2018 21 March 2018 18 April 2018
CTW Officer
Employment Support Programme Workshop 01 February 2018 19 April 2018
01 February 2018 19 April 2018
FAR All Ranks 15 February 2018
15 February 2018
Self Employment Awareness 28 March 2018
28 March 2018
RC Plymouth
rcplymouth@ctp.org.uk START DATE END DATE CTW Junior Ranks 12 March 2018
14 March 2018
CTW Mixed Class 05 February 2018 26 February 2018 05 March 2018 13 March 2018 19 March 2018 09 April 2018 23 April 2018
07 February 2018 28 February 2018 07 March 2018 15 March 2018 21 March 2018 11 April 2018 25 April 2018
CTW Officer/SNCO 19 February 2018 16 April 2018
21 February 2018 18 April 2018
Readers must consult their Single Service Advisors BEFORE committing to courses When responding to advertisements please mention Quest
Employment Support Programme Wksp
Employment Support Programme Wksp
Employment Support Programme Wksp
08 February 2018 12 April 2018
22 February 2018 12 April 2018
22 February 2018 22 February 2018 15 March 2018 15 March 2018 (Course location Faslane) 22 March 2018 22 March 2018 12 April 2018 12 April 2018
08 February 2018 12 April 2018
FAR All Ranks
FAR All Ranks
20 February 2018 26 April 2018
15 March 2018
20 February 2018 26 April 2018
Self Employment Awareness 01 February 2018 08 March 2018
01 February 2018 08 March 2018
RC Portsmouth rcportsmouth@ctp.org.uk START DATE END DATE CTW Junior Ranks
22 February 2018 12 April 2018
15 March 2018
Self Employment Awareness
FAR All Ranks
15 February 2018 19 April 2018
28 February 2018
15 February 2018 19 April 2018
26 February 2018 26 March 2018 30 April 2018
15 February 2018 15 March 2018 19 April 2018
CTW Officer/SNCO 27 February 2018 03 April 2018
01 March 2018 05 April 2018
CTW SNCO
RRC Tidworth
START DATE END DATE
rrctidworth@ctp.org.uk
CTW Mixed Class
START DATE END DATE
Employment Support Programme Wksp
RRC Rosyth
rrcrosyth@ctp.org.uk
21 February 2018 21 March 2018 25 April 2018
A career in law e without a law degree
CTW SNCO
28 February 2018
13 February 2018 13 March 2018 17 April 2018
06 February 2018 20 February 2018 06 March 2018 20 March 2018 10 April 2018 24 April 2018
05 February 2018 07 February 2018 (Course location Kinloss) 27 February 2018 01 March 2018 (Course location Faslane) 05 March 2018 07 March 2018 CTW Mixed Class 12 March 2018 14 March 2018 12 February 2018 14 February 2018 (Course location Lossiemouth) 12 March 2018 14 March 2018 20 March 2018 22 March 2018 16 April 2018 18 April 2018 Make a successful uccessful tr transition ansition (Course location Faslane) 26 March 2018 28ying March 2018 ond career b y stud into a second by studying CTW Officer 09 April 2018 11 April 2018 SL16NHApril S X\2018 HSPĂ„JH[PVU I ` 2018 MVY H WHYHSLNHS X\HSPĂ„JH[PVU I` 05 February 2018 07 February 2018 18 April 05 March 2018 07 March 2018 (Course location Kinloss) earning distance learning 09 April 2018 11 April 2018 17 April 2018 19 April 2018 vider no. location 1105 Faslane) (Course 19 February 2018 19 March 2018 23 April 2018
CTW Officer
cilexlawschool.ac.uk and 28 February 2018 CTW Officer/SNCO ch box.21Contact S 19 inFebruary the sear2018 28 March 2018 February 2018 02 May 2018 [ TApril VYL V U 02 May 2018 \30 2018 SH^'JPSL_SH^ZJOVVS HJ \R
Self Employment Awareness 21 March 2018
21 March 2018
CTW Junior Ranks 05 February 2018 12 February 2018 19 February 2018 05 March 2018 12 March 2018 19 March 2018 09 April 2018 16 April 2018 23 April 2018 30 April 2018
07 February 2018 14 February 2018 21 February 2018 07 March 2018 14 March 2018 21 March 2018 11 April 2018 18 April 2018 25 April 2018 02 May 2018
08 February 2018 22 February 2018 08 March 2018 22 March 2018 12 April 2018 26 April 2018
FAR All Ranks 07 February 2018 07 February 2018 (Course location 1 RHA Lecture Theatre) 05 April 2018 05 April 2018 (Course location 1 RHA Lecture Theatre)
Self Employment Awareness
CTW Mixed Class 26 February 2018 26 March 2018
08 February 2018 22 February 2018 08 March 2018 22 March 2018 12 April 2018 26 April 2018
08 February 2018 22 February 2018 08 March 2018 22 March 2018 12 April 2018 26 April 2018
28 February 2018 28 March 2018
14 February 2018 12 March 2018 23 April 2018
14 February 2018 12 March 2018 23 April 2018
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16 week BPEC Foundation Course leading to ACS for those service leavers with little or no experience. Guaranteed placement & interview at the end.
Kier Kier Group Group is is one one of of the the leading leading construction, construction, services, services, property property and and Kier Group is one ofinthe leading construction, services, property residential companies the UK with 23,000 staff worldwide residential companies in the UK with 21,000 staff worldwide and and an an and residential in the UKsatisfaction with 16,000 staff worldwide annual turnover ÂŁ4.3bn. Wehave have 99% satisfaction score from annual turnover of ofcompanies ÂŁ3bn. We a a99% score from our and an annual turnover ofofÂŁ3bn. 298 people have trained our previous learners, most of them ďŹ nding work after ďŹ nishing.on one previous learners, withwith most them finding work after finishing. of our courses and 93.4% of previous learners are in employment. Give us a call to get started. Give us a call to get started.
For more more information, information,contact contactus uson on0191 0800643 9992233 5427 or gastraining.info@kier.co.uk gastraining.info@kier.co.uk Visit www.gastrainingatkier.co.uk thelatest latestnews, news, www.kier-gastraining.co.uk forforthe case studies studies and and training trainingcourses. courses. questonline.co.uk l January 2018 March 2015 / www.questonline.co.uk
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YOUR RESETTLEMENT TRANSITION FACTFILE FACTFILE
Transition factfile:
Preparation for leaving the Forces Advice from the CTP, official provider of career guidance, skills training and job-finding assistance to Service leavers CTP provision is delivered from ten Resettlement Centres in the UK and Germany, and the Resettlement Training Centre (RTC) in Aldershot. The CTP provides a number of workshops, seminars, one-to-one career advice, and a range of in-house resettlement training for entitled Service Leavers from up to two years before discharge. CTP RightJob is the CTP’s online job-finding service, listing thousands of live vacancies for Service Leavers from local, national and international employers.
Contact the CTP on 020 7469 6661 or visit the website at www.ctp.org.uk
A Service leaver’s route map Service leaver completed under 4 years’ Service: CTP Future Horizons – registration upon discharge
Employment Support Programme
>> Prepares PRP with Consultant >> Receives regional employment advice
No Service Leaver completed at least 4 years’ Service: registers with Career Transition Partnership (CTP)
Served more than 6 years – or medical discharge?
Yes
Attends Career Transition Workshop (CTW) or equivalent
Prepare Personal Resettlement Plan (PRP) with Career Consultant
Attends: • further CTP workshops • training at RTC/ Resettlement Centre • civilian training attachment • external training • Financial/Housing briefings
Receives advice on or notification of matched job opportunities
Makes job applications
Secures employment
Career Consultant led Wounded, Injured and Sick Service personnel: CTP Assist – registration upon discharge
ORANGE ELEMENTS ALSO AVAILABLE TO THOSE WITH 4–6 YEARS’ SERVICE
Develops, reviews and actions PRP: • further advice on: • career options • self-employment • job finding
• training • attachments • research activities • civilian work attachments Consultant supports and monitors progress
CTP support for up to 2 years after discharge; OA job finding support until retirement
Resettlement Services
Resettlement Centres
1st LINE The first stage in your resettlement process is with 1st Line, who offer information and administrative support. They are: >> RN – Education & Resettlement Officers (ERO) >> Army – Unit Resettlement Officers (URO) >> RAF – Resettlement & Education Co-ordinators (REC).
Career Transition Workshops (CTW), career counselling and other CTP workshops, briefings and events usually take place at one of the ten Resettlement Centres in the UK and Germany. Further information can be obtained from any of the Resettlement Centres listed below.
2nd LINE The principal task of 2nd Line is to provide advice and guidance on the resettlement package that will best suit the individual Service Leaver. For those entitled to CTP this will normally be a referral to a CTP consultant and/ or enrolment on a CTW, both of which will require the Service Leaver to be registered for CTP services. 2nd Line are: >> RN – Naval Resettlement Information Officers (NRIO), located at Base Learning Centres; for medical discharges the RN has a single 2nd Line point of contact referred to as NRIO (Medical) based in the Institute of Naval Medicine, Gosport >> Army – Individual Education and Resettlement Officers (IERO) and AGC(ETS) Officers are located at Army Education Centres (AEC) and Theatre Education Centres (TEC); AGC(ETS) Officers may deliver 2nd Line resettlement advice when deployed on operations and occasionally when IERO are unavailable >> RAF – Each Regional Resettlement Adviser (RRA) is allocated a group of RAF stations to visit on a regular programmed basis. 3rd LINE Resettlement support at 3rd Line is provided by the CTP as outlined at the top of this page and in more detail on its website at www.ctp.org.uk
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Resettlement Centre Aldergrove Tel: 02894 421639 Regional Resettlement Centre Aldershot Tel: 01252 348336/339 Regional Resettlement Centre Catterick Tel: 01748 872949/2922 Regional Resettlement Centre Cottesmore Tel: 01572 812241 (ext 7716) Resettlement Centre Germany Tel: 0049 5254 982 x 5448 Resettlement Centre Northolt Tel: 020 8842 6063/6064 Resettlement Centre Plymouth Tel: 01752 555834 Resettlement Centre Portsmouth Tel: 02392 724130 Regional Resettlement Centre Rosyth Tel: 01383 858230 Regional Resettlement Centre Tidworth Tel: 01980 650689
For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.ctp.org.uk
Courses 4 Forces Spring final 2015_C4F 16/03/2015 11:25 Page 52
Sponsored by
www.gastectraining.co.uk
01908 587665 l enquiries@gastectraining.co.uk l www.gastectraining.co.uk
Gastec has more than 1 years experience in the resettlement training of MoD Service Leavers, with over successfully trained students now working within the industry. Other providers promise - we deliver!
OUR W ORK PLACE MENT FREE IS - GUA AND G RANTEED ENUI NE
Graduated Resettlement Time (GRT) * XPVME MJLF UP FYQSFTT NZ HSBUJUVEF UP BMM BU (BTUFD 5IF GBDJMJUJFT BOE DPVSTF TUSVDUVSF SJHIU UISPVHI UP UIF EFMJWFSZ XFSF DU QFSGFDU BOE B SFBM FZF PQFOFS Q FSGFDU B .Z UIBOLT UP BMM . Z UIBOL
VIEWING OF OUR FACILITY IS ALWAYS WELCOME. CALL NOW TO ARRANGE YOUR VISIT.
GRT is the length of time that a Service Leaver is eligible to spend on resettlement activities, including workshops, training Gastec Training has for many years worked courses, civilian work attachments or individual resettlement closely with Britain’s armed forces as 4VF ,JOH .#& they prepare for civilian life. At Gastec we provision. recognise the commitment you have made
Transition services and entitlements
while serving and welcome the opportunity to ensure you have a prosperous future as
you leave the armed forces. The Gastec New COURSE CARRIES LEVEL 3 ACCREDITATION Entitlement Entrant Gas Course will prepare you for an EFS GPS )BWJOH DIPTFO (BTUFD BT UIF QSPWJEFS GPS discharged All Service Leavers, other than those asinteresting Earlyand lucrative career in the gas NZ SFTFUUMFNFOU USBJOJOH BGUFS ZFBST ZFBST utility sector. Call now for a special reduced E XJUIresettlement TFSWJDF * XBT DPNQMFUMZ JNQSFTTFE XJUI UIF to receive UIF pricing offer on this course. Service Leavers, are entitled the support QSPGFTTJPOBMJTN BOE IFMQ BGGPSEFE NF CZ CZ BMM UIF JOTUSVDUPST BOE TUBGG detailed in the table below. 4HU + . .PSHBO 3FUE
Principle COURSE CARRIES LEVEL 3 ACCREDITATION 0VS QBTT SBUF FYDFFET BOE PVS %VSJOH NZ UJNF JO UIF BSNZ J IBWF BUUFOEFE NBOZ EFE NBOZ Longer service is rewarded with entitlement to increased DPVSTFT BOE TFFO NBOZ JOTUSVDUPST CVU UIF MFWFMT PG IF MFWFMT PG &-$"4 FWBMVBUJPO SBUJOH JT TFDPOE UP JOTUSVDUJPO BU (BTUFD XBT FYDFMMFOU * BN OPX B WFSZ OPX B WFSZ OPOF 1MFBTF UBLF UJNF UP WJFX UIF resettlement time. All Medically Discharged ServiceTVDDFTTGVM TFMG FNQMPZFE HBT TBGF FOHJOFFS BOE SFNBJO Leavers BOE SF &-$"4 XFCTJUF UP DIFDL PVU PVS JO DPOUBDU XJUI (BTUFD XIP XJMM BMXBZ PGGFS BEWJDF automatically qualify for the maximum DVSSFOU FWBMVBUJPO SBUJOH entitlement. Entitlement 8BZOF $IBOU &Y 3PZBM "SUJMMFSZ
includes grants, allowances, travel warrants, resettlement leave, consultancy, transition workshops and subsidised training.
Yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Service 1. <1 2. 1+ 3. 4+ 4. 6+ 5. 8+ 6. 12+ 7. 16+
Normal Discharge
Medical Discharge(2)
Outflow
<4 Yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; service or administratively discharged
CALL +44(0)1908 587665
CTP GRT(1) IRTC CTP GRT(1) IRTC Gastec Training & Assessment Centres Ltd. 6 Newmarket Court, Kingston, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK10 0AQ No 0 No FRP 10 Yes enquiries@gastectraining.co.uk www.gastectraining.co.uk No 0 No FRP 30 Yes ESP 0 No FRP 30 Yes FRP 20 Yes FRP 30 Yes FRP 25 Yes FRP 30 Yes FRP 30 Yes FRP 30 Yes FRP 35 Yes FRP 35 Yes
Notes 1. Amount of GRT is in working days. 2. This includes Reservists who are Medically Discharged due to injuries sustained during operational commitments. ESP: Employment Support Programme FRP: Full Resettlement Programme
Duty Allowances for Resettlement Activities Individual entitlements to allowances are found in JSP 752 and other single-Service regulations. If in doubt, Service Leavers should ask their resettlement advisers or Unit HR for advice. As with other duty entitlements, payments made in the pursuance of resettlement are made only for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;actualsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and administered through Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) self-service menus. At all times, receipts must be retained and produced in the event that a Service Leaver is selected for audit. Service Leaversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; entitlement will depend upon the nature of their discharge and the length of their Service. When selecting a training provider to deliver resettlement services, Service Leavers should be aware that the MOD operates a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Local Training Firstâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; policy. Wherever possible, resettlement training should be undertaken local to (i.e. within 50 miles by road or 90 minutes by public transport) Service or home accommodation. Notwithstanding this, external training, including training undertaken overseas, that will incur subsistence costs may be arranged through any training provider in the event that there is no available CTP in-house training or training providers that can deliver an equivalent training outcome locally. All overseas training (see overleaf) must survive HQ scrutiny; and all accommodation, UK or otherwise, other than that offered under exceptional residential arrangements, must be booked through the Defence Hotel Reservation Service (DHRS). All residential accommodation offered by training providers must be pre-authorised by the Unit.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.ctp.org.uk
â&#x20AC;¢ Vulnerability Assessment â&#x20AC;¢ Resettlement Brief â&#x20AC;¢ Resettlement Interview â&#x20AC;¢ Gateway to 3rd Sector: â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Housing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Finance â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Social Benefits â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Employment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pensions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Health
Employment Support Programme >4<6 Yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Service
â&#x20AC;¢ Job-Finding Service â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;RightJobâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Access â&#x20AC;¢ Consultant Interview â&#x20AC;¢ Housing Brief â&#x20AC;¢ Financial Aspects of Resettlement Brief â&#x20AC;¢ Access (on a standby basis) to 50 Various Resettlement Training Centre Courses â&#x20AC;¢ Post Discharge Consultant Support (up to 2 years) â&#x20AC;¢ Employment Fairs and Events
Full Resettlement Programme >6 Yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Service
â&#x20AC;¢ IRTC Grant (£534) â&#x20AC;¢ Resettlement Leave (up to 35 days) â&#x20AC;¢ Career Transition Workshop (3 days) â&#x20AC;¢ Other Workshops â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Self-Employment Awareness â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Small Business Start-Up â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CV Writing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Interview Skills â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Networking â&#x20AC;¢ Career Consultancy â&#x20AC;¢ Travel Warrants (up to 7) â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;RightJobâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Access â&#x20AC;¢ Financial Aspects of Resettlement Brief â&#x20AC;¢ Housing Brief â&#x20AC;¢ Access to 50 Various Resettlement Training Centre Courses â&#x20AC;¢ Post Discharge Consultant Support (up to 2 years) â&#x20AC;¢ Employment Fairs and Events
Standard Learning Credits Enhanced Learning Credits Access to first FE/HE qualification Resettlement Grant - Officers with 9 years service up to £14,686 - Other Ranks with 12 years service who are AFPS 75 up to £10,302 - Officers (9 years) and Other Ranks (12 years) who are AFPS 05 up to £10,302
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YOUR RESETTLEMENT TRANSITION FACTFILE FACTFILE
Resettlement Training
Service Leaver Support Teams (SLSTs)
Training provided by the CTP
Can be found at Army UK divisional and district HQs and at some regional brigades. They provide Service leavers with information and help on a wide variety of subjects, including employment, housing, schooling, finance and other resettlement issues. They work in close cooperation with other agencies, including the RFEA, single-Service specialists and the CTP.
Skills training takes place at the Resettlement Training Centre (RTC) in Aldershot and at a selection of Resettlement Centres. The RTC has bespoke workshops within its Building and Engineering Departments, and also offers Management and IT courses. Many of those on offer result in civilian-recognised qualifications. To find out more about the wide range of courses available, and to search for dates and locations, visit our website at www.ctp.org.uk For all other enquiries, to check availability, or to make a booking or payment, contact our Course Booking & Information Centre (CBIC): Civilian: Tel: 02894 456 200 Military: Tel: 9491 56 200 Email: coursebookings@ctp.org.uk
Training provided by Preferred Suppliers ThePreferred Suppliers List (PSL) identifies a range of local training providers offering some of the most common vocational training that Service leavers undertake. In order to qualify for the PSL, the training organisation is obliged to demonstrate financial reliability, appropriate insurance cover, past performance, future plans, training facilities, accreditation levels and quality standards. The PSL is published at www.ctp.org.uk and is also held in each of the Resettlement Centres. Preferred Supplier status is subject to continuous evaluation, on each course by the Service Leaver, by the CTP and by annual review.
Overseas Resettlement Training Resettlement training should, wherever possible, be undertaken either in-house (given the value for money and quality assurance available on those courses) or locally in recognition of the local training first policy. Authorisation for overseas resettlement training can only be made by HQ SDE staff on a case-by-case basis and through the intelligent application of the following conditions. >> The training outcome is not available under the local training first policy, either within the UK for those serving in UK or within their normal theatre of operations for those serving overseas. >> The total costs of the training overseas to the MOD, including eligible subsistence allowances and travel costs, which will be claimed under current regulations, are less than those that would be incurred if undertaking the training in the UK, i.e. the value for money consideration. >> SDE staff have reasonable assurance of the quality of the training and its recognition by UK employers. Any request for overseas training must arrive with SDE HQ staff at least eight weeks in advance of the intended departure date, to enable the necessary political clearances for successful applications to be made.
CTP RightJob CTP RightJob is the CTP’s online job-finding service, listing thousands of live vacancies for Service leavers from local, national and international employers. The CTP works with hundreds of organisations that recognise the benefits of recruiting from the ex-military talent pool, and value the experience and strong working ethos Service leavers bring with them. The site is accessed via the CTP website and the login required is issued during CTWs. Call the Central Employment Team for more information, on 0121 236 0058.
Useful CTP Contacts TO BOOK A CTP WORKSHOP OR BRIEFING…
Call 0203 162 4410 For booking your Career Transition Workshop (CTW) or any other workshop or briefing. (This is a not a premium rate number and you should only be charged at the normal national rate, dependent on the phone provider) Alternatively, if you are calling from a military line, contact the Resettlement Centre running the workshop which is normally the Resettlement Centre that you are registered with for your resettlement. Contact details can be found in the list of Resettlement Centres provided earlier in Factfile. CALL OUR COURSE BOOKING & INFORMATION CENTRE (CBIC) Civilian: Tel: 02894 456 200 Military: Tel: 9491 56 200 or Email: coursebookings@ctp.org.uk
FOR RIGHTJOB ASSISTANCE…
CALL OUR CENTRAL EMPLOYMENT TEAM (CET) Tel: 0121 236 0058 If you have forgotten your RightJob password, have been locked out of your account or require support using RightJob.
CTP Employment Events
CTP Future Horizons
Our events can be of great benefit and provide an excellent opportunity to network with potential employers and discuss the job market in general, as well as within specific industry sectors. The main types that we hold are: >> Employment Fairs – attended by a wide range of national and local employers, seeking the skills, quality and experience that Service leavers have >> Live Online Chat Events – enable Service leavers to chat one-to-one with employers during dedicated time slots, about their company, current vacancies and any training needs >> Company Presentations – these focus on one particular company, which is normally actively recruiting for a number of vacancies. >> Search for upcoming CTP events on our website at www.ctp.org.uk
CTP Future Horizons understands that leaving the Armed Forces is a key point in the lives of all Service leavers, and believes that everyone who has served, even for a short period of time, is entitled to support in transitioning from the military into civilian life. The programme will provide support and assistance to enable you to find suitable employment upon leaving the Armed Forces. Through its network of partners, it will link you in to the most appropriate level of support you need to help with the transition. CTP Future Horizons has been developed in response to the recognition and commitment from the MoD to improve resettlement provision to Early Service Leavers (ESLs). It is open to ESLs across all Services, regardless of how long you have served or the reasons you have for leaving. The programme has been designed and is delivered by the RFEA – The Forces Employment Charity. To discuss any aspect of CTP Future Horizons, please call Richard Jones, Programme Manager, on 07428 705 770 or meet with a CTP Future Horizons assessor at the following locations: >> ITC Catterick, Hook Company: 01748 872949/2922 >> ATC Pirbright, Sword Company: 01483 798614 >> Resettlement Centre Plymouth: 01752 557635 Follow Future Horizons on Facebook, and receive the latest news and updates from the programme.
RFEA – The Forces Employment Charity We exist to provide life-long, life-changing support, jobs and training opportunities to Service leavers and veterans, irrespective of circumstances, rank, length of service or reason for leaving. Founded in 1885 and operating across the UK, we have the specialist knowledge and understanding to bridge the gap between military life and civilian employment. We work in partnership with other organisations and employers who, like us, respect and value the unique qualities and abilities of all those who have served. We are the leading provider of job opportunities and employment advice for ex-Forces men and women. We have thousands of job opportunities with employers who value military experience. We advise you on careers suited to you and we know which employers are recruiting in your area. We work with you so that you have a good CV, and support you through the application and interview process. To register with us … Tel: 0121 2360 058 Website: www.rfea.org.uk
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CTP Assist CTP Assist aims to help wounded, injured and sick Service personnel who have the greatest need to find a new, fulfilling career that meets their individual needs, and to assist them in moving on with their lives. The support given will help to pinpoint a rewarding and realistic change of career. Service leavers who are likely to be medically discharged and are ready to engage in resettlement will be referred to the programme by their Chain of Command. To find out more about how CTP Assist can support you, visit www.ctpassist.ctp.org.uk
Courses 4 Forces Spring final 2015_C4F 16/03/2015 11:25 Page 52
Sponsored by
www.gastectraining.co.uk
01908 587665 l enquiries@gastectraining.co.uk l www.gastectraining.co.uk
Making the transition OUR W ORK PLACE MENT FREE IS - GUA AND G RANTEED ENUI NE
Gastec has more than 1 years experience in the resettlement training of MoD Service Leavers, with over successfully trained students now working within the industry. Other providers promise - we deliver!
* XPVME MJLF UP FYQSFTT NZ HSBUJUVEF UP BMM BU (BTUFD 5IF GBDJMJUJFT BOE DPVSTF TUSVDUVSF SJHIU UISPVHI UP UIF EFMJWFSZ XFSF DU QFSGFDU BOE B SFBM FZF PQFOFS Q FSGFDU B .Z UIBOLT UP BMM . Z UIBOL 4VF ,JOH .#&
VIEWING OF OUR FACILITY IS ALWAYS WELCOME. CALL NOW TO ARRANGE YOUR VISIT.
Gastec Training has for many years worked closely with Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s armed forces as they prepare for civilian life. At Gastec we
Even if you have a job to go to on leaving the Armedrecognise Forces, you are still the commitment you have madestrongly while serving and welcome the opportunity advised to attend the CTP Career Transition Workshop (CTW), with other to ensure you havealong a prosperous futureany as you leave the armed forces. The Gastec New CARRIES LEVEL 3 ACCREDITATION that you will find of benefit,COURSE such as CV Writing or Interview The Entrant GasTechniques. Course will prepare you for anpurpose EFS GPS )BWJOH DIPTFO (BTUFD BT UIF QSPWJEFS GPS interesting and lucrative career in the gas NZ SFTFUUMFNFOU USBJOJOH BGUFS ZFBST ZFBST sector. Call now foroptions a special reduced of these workshops is to help you to recognise and utility assess your 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 donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know.
The Self-Marketing Approach is based on the application of well-established 4HU + . .PSHBO 3FUE
marketing concepts to the task of getting a new job. Marketing is about delivering COURSE CARRIES LEVEL 3 ACCREDITATION products and services to meet case, are 0VS QBTT SBUF FYDFFET BOE PVS customers needs. In this %VSJOH NZ UJNF JO UIF BSNZ J IBWF BUUFOEFE NBOZ you the EFE NBproduct, OZ DPVSTFT BOE TFFO NBOZ JOTUSVDUPST CVU UIF MFWFMT PG IF MFWFMT PG &-$"4 FWBMVBUJPO SBUJOH JT TFDPOE UP JOTUSVDUJPO BU (BTUFD XBT FYDFMMFOU * BN OPX B WFSZ customer OPX B WFSZ that the the customer is your next employer. the OPOF 1MFBTF UBLF UJNF UP WJFX UIF Your task is to persuade TVDDFTTGVM TFMG FNQMPZFE HBT TBGF FOHJOFFS BOE SFNBJO BOE SF &-$"4 XFCTJUF UP DIFDL PVU PVS JO DPOUBDU XJUI (BTUFD XIP XJMM BMXBZ PGGFS BEWJDF range of benefits, which you bring, DVSSFOU FWBMVBUJPO SBUJOH match his or her needs. 8BZOF $IBOU &Y 3PZBM "SUJMMFSZ
Throughout 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.
E XJUI UIF TFSWJDF * XBT DPNQMFUMZ JNQSFTTFE XJUI UIF QSPGFTTJPOBMJTN BOE IFMQ BGGPSEFE NF CZ CZ BMM UIF JOTUSVDUPST BOE TUBGG
pricing offer on this course.
Define the product >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
CALL +44(0)1908 587665
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 Gastec Training & Assessment Centres Ltd. 6 Newmarket Court, Kingston, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK10 0AQ Demonstrate yourenquiries@gastectraining.co.uk value to the employer www.gastectraining.co.uk 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 (USPs)
Prepare self-marketing literature Your CV should include: >> a personal profile â&#x20AC;&#x201C; your USP >> major achievements â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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 >> clichĂŠs, jargon, abbreviations and untruths
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?
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?
Research the market
Networking advice
>> >> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> >>
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 jobfairs and conferences
Implement a marketing campaign Use a variety of approaches, including: >> responding to advertisements >> direct approaches by phone and letter >> networking >> employment agencies >> develop a system and keep records of all activities >> follow up approaches systematically >> learn from your mistakes
Start early Create mutually supportive relationships Use these at all stages of career development, not just at time of job change 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.
Sell yourself on a face-to-face basis >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
Research the employer 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 employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 questonline.co.uk l January 2018
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• Health & Safety: - Comply fully with company & customer health and safety policies. • Environment: - Fully adhere to rules set out in the site IPPC, comply with company environment policy and assist the transport manager to improve the site EMS. You must have: • Qualification:- LGV Class C+E licence (minimum C) • Ownership of a digital Tachograph Card • Driver certificate of Professional Competency. Are you... A keen driver, strong communicator, passionate about safe working and delivering excellent customer service? Then we are looking for you! Are you the driver we are looking for? If so, please send your CV with a covering letter Do you have any questions? Don’t hesitate to ask. Get in touch with Hannah Reeve: email hannah.reeve@forfarmers.eu We offer: Excellent employment conditions, a good work atmosphere and plenty of freedom ForFarmers offers a good salary which suits your role, as well as excellent fringe benefits.
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Volunteer at Sea Cadets to inspire young people in your community with the skills you learnt in the Armed Forces. sea-cadets.org volunteer@ms-sc.org Supported by Community Covenant Fund
Patron: HM The Queen Marine Society & Sea Cadets, a charity registered in England and Wales 313013, Scotland SC037808
Simply a Life Changing Education
LINCOLN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SCHOOL
The Business School offers Degree Programmes in:
Logistics Business Human Resource Management Engineering and Communication
Our programmes are specific and relevant to both military service and civilian employment. We also offer Degree Apprenticeships alongside our traditional Degree Programmes for military personnel. Contact us and quote "QLIBS" for information:
askWBDL@lincoln.ac.uk 01522 835514 lincoln.ac.uk/lbs/militaryprogrammes/courses