Despatches June 08 - News, Views and Case studies

Train to work with the sporting elite

With the London Olympics fast approaching, there is an increased demand for people who have the skills and experience to work with athletes. Athletes training and preparing for Beijing, London and beyond have access to athlete support programmes. Such programmes may include athlete lifestyle support, sports nutrition, strength and conditioning, sports massage, and other linked disciplines.

The University of Bath offers academic and vocational programmes which focus on sports performance and/or athlete support. Training in the sports performance arena can be undertaken through an academic pathway, like a degree or foundation degree in sports performance, or by using a vocational pathway, as in a level 2 or 3 award in coaching, strength and conditioning for sport, sports massage or talented athlete lifestyle support.

Miltary people often have relevant skills which are transferable to the elite athlete working environment. These include teamwork, accountability, responsibility, the ability to make effective decisions under pressure, tenacity, commitment and determination. Additionally, individuals with an interest in sport often have an understanding of athlete pressures and demands.

Medical discharge leads to IT career

In 2007, ex-Lance Corporal Darren Read, 29, was medically discharged from the Army as a result of serious injuries including severe brain injury, a fractured skull and several broken bones. Facing an uncertain future, he did not know what he would be doing with the rest of his life, having been in the Army since he was a teenager.

He had joined the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in 1996 after completing his basic training and infantry training. In 1997, he joined his Battalion in Northern Ireland as an infantry soldier, where he stayed for two years. In the following years he went on numerous exercises in Canada, Kenya, Germany, Poland, Kosovo and finally Iraq.

After service in Iraq, he went on holiday to America. Whilst he was there, he was hit by a car and suffered serious injuries. During his recovery, he realized that he would be medically discharged from the Armed Forces and began looking for a way to restart his life.

He heard about Cerco IT an IT training and recruitment company that had a scheme that helped people who had served in the Armed Forces. As Read had been medically discharged, they offered him the opportunity to join their four-week fast-track course free of charge so that he could learn skills to help find a job in IT and settle into civilian life.

He was able to re-train whilst still in his final months with the Army, learning new skills and putting them to use during practical courses. When his training was complete, Cerco’s recruitment team helped him to find a job and, in December 2007, he started as a field service engineer for Fujitsu.

Cerco have trained and placed more than 20 medically discharged Service leavers since their scheme started in February 2007. The company is recognized by the charity Help for Heroes on their Wall of Heroes.

100% NEW

NEW LIFESTYLE. NEW ADVENTURES. NEW ZEALAND. NAVY

The Royal New Zealand Navy is an innovative, responsive and versatile organisation currently expanding their fleet with brand new state of the art ships. Looking for outstanding new team members with current or previous service in the Royal Navy to help contribute to the growth of their dynamic Navy.

The RNZN is responsible for the maritime defence of New Zealand and operates mainly throughout the Pacific and South Asia. It believes the ‘right’ people are the most important element of their maritime capability. Everyone has the opportunity to contribute to making the RNZN a world class organisation and their culture encourages people to use their skills to ‘make a real difference’.

New Zealand offers a fantastic lifestyle. Auckland is the single home port for all of the ships of the RNZN and is a vibrant and exciting city. The whole country is clean and green with golden beaches and is totally suited to those who have a passion for the great outdoors.

POMT(P) Tim Clubb joined the RNZN last year and is now serving as a Marine Engineer:

“I love every minute of it and have absolutely no regrets about the move. If you want more opportunities, brand new ships, shorter deployments to more interesting places, a relaxed family friendly atmosphere and to be based in one home port – this is for you!!”

There are vacancies across a variety of branches, especially the Marine Engineering specialisation, at the Leading Hand, Petty Officer, Chief Petty Officer, Lieutenant and Lieutenant Commander levels.

www.navy.mil.nz/join-us/uk.

Using your specialist experience as a trainer in the security sector

Armed Forces personnel who have gained outstanding skills and experience in their careers are often inspired to pass on their expertise to the commercial sector. Many choose a career in further education as a path to professional satisfaction. Lynceus Training knows that because its founders chose this route. It now helps other service leavers hone their training skills for a new and dynamic career.

The qualifications you’ll need to develop your career in this way have been made mandatory by the Security Industry Authority to ensure that all trainers meet the standards set by the new Lifelong Learning initiative. This is a positive move that will protect your professional integrity and the skills you worked hard to gain. It can also provide a better income than the circuit offers.

Known informally as PTLLS (no, not a flower) and CTLLS (not a brew either) these qualifications will open doors for you. PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector) is the first step to taking CTLLS (swap ‘Preparing’ for ‘Certificate’). Trainers such as Lynceus know you don’t want to waste time getting started, so instead of the six months others take, it offers the required 30 hours of contact time in a week-long course, and you complete the 30 hours of self-guided study at your own pace.

Lynceus (see advertisement on page 51) doesn’t stop with training either. Its graduates have gone on to deliver training for it in the UK and abroad, launching them into a fulfilling career.

Call Lynceus on 01452 856040