Quest January 2018

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

CONNECT WITH US questonline.co.uk questmagazine

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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?

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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

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01452 722528

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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

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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.

Situated 4 miles from Lympstone training camp.

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

financial year.

So:

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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

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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

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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; •

Level 2 Diploma in Electrical Installations (2365)

•

Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations (2365)

•

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•

Level 3 17th Edition Regulations (2382)

•

Level 3 Inspection and testing courses (2391)

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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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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 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 ÂŁ1,000 in three separate financial years;enquiries@gastectraining.co.uk the higher tier offers up to threewww.gastectraining.co.uk payments of up to ÂŁ2,000 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.

44

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

49

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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!

52

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

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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

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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

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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

Visit www.ctp.org.uk for further details

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13

61

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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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January 2018 l questonline.co.uk

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

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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

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VIEWING OF OUR FACILITY IS ALWAYS WELCOME. CALL NOW TO ARRANGE YOUR VISIT.

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they prepare for civilian life. At Gastec we provision. recognise the commitment you have made

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discharged

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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

questonline.co.uk l January 2018

63

Q

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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January 2018 l questonline.co.uk

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

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

65

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You don’t need to have a background of working in security. What’s more important is your ability to make our staff and visitors feel welcome and to stay calm in any situation.

For more information, please visit www.mi5.gov.uk/careers To apply you must be aged 18 or over, a British national and resident in the UK for nine out of the last ten years. Also, one of your parents must be a British citizen or have substantial ties to the UK.

Wanted: Keen and committed driver’s to deliver excellent customer service, responsible for the safe delivery of products on farm.

Do you have a Class C+E licence? Do you enjoy driving and working independently?

Are you happy to work flexibly? Then apply for this position at ForFarmers, the largest animal feed company in Europe.

Location: Nationwide What will you do?

As a driver you will be delivering our customers orders, directly to farm, accurately and on time. Building strong relationships between departments, and with customers, to ensure you have the ability to resolve queries wherever possible.You will be a champion of safe working, and eco-driving.

Tasks and responsibilities: • LGV Driving: - All legal requirements to be met fully. Consideration for other road users and members of the public. Clear, accurate completion of tachograph records, manual entries and defect reports.Vehicles to be operated within relevant speed and weight limits at all times.

• Feed Delivery: - Accurate, safe working on customers farms. Care to be taken at all times to achieve correct bins for feed and UFAS compliance. Safety of farm employees, children and stock are paramount. Damage to buildings or other property to be avoided.

• Paperwork: - All delivery records, cleaning records, defect reports etc., to be completed accurately, in full and on time.

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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.

INSPIRE

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