Despatches October 2007

Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd

The major civil engineering part of BBCEL handles major infrastructure projects throughout the UK and has a vision to be 'the contractor of choice'. It takes 'pride in proven and extensive civil engineering and project management skills, delivering excellence through cost-efficient, customer focused solutions, from minor works through to major infrastructure projects.'

From a pool of 1,000 qualified employees, it provides a wide variety of services to customers, ranging from construct-only civil works to complex asset based service driven solutions. 'We value our customers, our supply chain and our employees. We are committed to customer satisfaction, first class service, safety and a responsible approach to the environment. As a business, we are committed to continual improvement in everything we do. This emphasis is to the fore in health, safety, environmental and quality performance.'

The company currently has opportunities for all categories of support staff within civil engineering and quantity surveying, and, is also looking for project based administration staff throughout the UK. For more in formation.

Becoming part of the modern private security industry

As a Service leaver it can be difficult to navigate through a range of courses to adequately prepare for life in the civilian world. For a career in the UK private security industry, training leading to a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence will probably be required. This includes roles in security guarding, door supervision, close protection, consultancy, management or some other sectors.

Anubis Associates Limited (see the advertisement on page 45) provide a range of services; with former current operational ex-Armed Forces and police directors providing a variety of skills and experience. They advise Service leavers to 'thoroughly research the best available high quality training that is value for money. Focus on the quality of the instructors and the reputation of the company. Who trained you can often be the key to employment.

'It is important to check the accreditation of a training provider through an independent organisation. For Service leavers this is the CTP, whilst Skills for Security can advise on approved training companies in the security industry.

Anubis is approved by Buckinghamshire Chilterns University to deliver Level 3 SIA licence to practice close protection qualifications and the new Level 5 Certified Security Consultant Course. They are also accredited for these qualifications with Skills for Security and are preferred suppliers in delivering CP, CSC and security management courses for the CTP.

For further information visit www.anubisltd.com

Hands on at Bluescreen

Many companies supply IT training, some use simulations. The method in use at BluescreenIT (see the advertisement on page 25) is hands on training. 'When people leave the Armed Forces,' say the company, 'they often need new skills. Imagine you are retraining as a mechanic or carpenter, and you turn up for your first day only to be told that "on this computer is your simulated engine or piece of wood." This might seem very strange, and there is no good reason why IT training should be any different.'

If studying for Cisco they believe people should work on real routers and switches, while Microsoft training should include real clients and servers. Their training includes technologies from many different environments. 'With simulations everything works how it's meant to, first time with no problems. In the real world this rarely happens.

'When you are employed you will be expected to troubleshoot complex networking problems in large enterprise networks. You may have a piece of paper which states you are MCSE, but may not have experienced real network environments. Experience gained in hands on training provides confidence and knowledge that comes with using computers in a wide variety of situations and knowing how to troubleshoot issues.'

Whether students are resettling from the military, retraining for a career change or furthering their IT employment possibilities, BluescreenIT promise to 'ensure that you are armed with real world knowledge, gained from hands on training.'

Can you feel it?

If you enjoy working outside, meeting new people and hitting targets, then a lucrative sales job with one of the world's largest energy suppliers could be right up your street.

E.ON (see the advertisement on page 77), the energy behind Powergen, are recruiting full-time and part-time Home Energy Consultants to sell electricity and gas on a door to door basis. As well as receiving a company car and a wide and varied benefits package, successful applicants will have the opportunity to earn up to œ36k* per year.

"We recognise that the British Forces attract the best, which is why we're considering ex-military personnel to fill these crucial sales roles," said Field Sales Manager Mike Rogerson. "Previous sales experience is not required, just self-discipline, resourcefulness and bags of determination."

In addition to selling an exceptional range of products and services, Home Energy Consultants receive an in-depth two week training course, the very latest sales equipment and ongoing training and in the field coaching to help them earn exceptional rewards.

"There's what we call a 'wind of change' sweeping through the energy market," added Team Manager Jon Mason. "In other words, E.ON wants to change the way people think about gas and electricity, and the way we sell it. So if you have powers of persuasion and a sunny personality - even on the greyest of days - we'd love to hear from you."

If you're interested in applying, please call 0800 068 5274 or email fieldsales@powergen.co.uk.

*œ15K basic, which depending on satisfactory performance, rises to œ17K after 6 months and œ19K after a further 12 months. Plus realistic commission of œ17K (uncapped).

Scaffolding shortfall undermines construction

Five years ago a plumbing drought swept the nation, with thousands of potential plumbers fighting to register for a limited number of courses. Now the scaffolding industry faces a similar shortage with nearly 20,000 more qualified scaffolders needed by 2010. This shortfall has seen demand and salaries steadily rising. Work on the Olympics, Heathrow Terminal 5, the new Wembley Stadium and numerous housing and regeneration projects around the country has made this a lucrative time to become a scaffolder.

Before current shortages, plumbers were considered by many to delight in conning customers with shoddy performance. Now, however, improved standards, escalating salaries and job security have transformed plumbing into an honourable and sought-after career. Scaffolding now looks to follow this lead and overcome negative images. One recruitment route is to attract mature career changers, as opposed to school leavers, to resolve these shortages.

Scaffolding is by no means an easy career, as SCS's Stephanie Simons explains: 'It takes commitment. People must be comfortable to work at heights and in all weather conditions. Financial rewards can be substantial.'

Reasons to consider a new career in scaffolding include:

l salaries of œ20,000 to œ26,000 during the first year of employment

l self-employed, skilled trades people and management salaries of œ65,000 or more

l work on the most prestigious products in the country

l skilled trades people are often contracted internationally and enjoy excellent perks

l the luxury of picking and choosing jobs and taking on as much work as is required.

For further information visit www.scaffoldingcareer.co.uk, call Stephanie

on 0870 766 2247 or see the advertisement on

Opportunities in the ambulance service

They used to be known as simply 'ambulance drivers', then thanks to a greater public awareness and improved training opportunities, the term 'paramedic' has become a household phrase.

The green uniform is familiar the length and breadth of the country and paramedics are recognised as highly skilled clinicians within their field.

South Central Ambulance Service, covering Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Hampshire, is one of 11 ambulance trusts across England.

It currently employs more than 3,000 staff across a wide variety of disciplines, and ex-Servicemen and women make up a significant number of its frontline staff.

The ambulance service is embarking upon a very exciting phase in its development with the creation of new roles and the expansion of training programmes to further develop skills. There is also a greater focus on patient care - treating more patients within the community or ensuring they are taken to the most appropriate place to receive that care - and that's not always the local emergency department. there are now paramedics working alongside GPs in the community, often providing the first response when a doctor's surgery is closed and there are also emergency care practitioners - paramedics with extended skills who provide a high level of clinical care to people with traumatic injury or serious conditions such as cardiac arrest.

The Trust also offers opportunities to follow a degree course in pre-hospital emergency care to suitable applicants

South Central Ambulance Service (see the advertisement on page 73) already employs a number of ex-Service staff, and would welcome applications from people in the Services who may be thinking about a change in their career. Your skills and experiences can prove very useful within the ambulance service.

You can log on to the Trust's website at www.southcentralambulance.nhs.uk for more information about their vacancies as they are currently recruiting for several different roles.

Free IT training for medically discharged Service leavers

Specialist IT training and recruitment provider, Cerco, (see the advertisement on page 5) is making an offer to all medically discharged Armed Forces people, offering them a successful transition to civilian life. They will train, free of charge, anyone who has been medically discharged on their four-week Fast Track Course as long as they meet essential criteria.

Many enforced Service leavers were committed to serving in the Armed Forces long-term and then have to re-establish themselves in a new career; not necessarily an easy experience. There are many options available and leaving the Forces for medical reasons can be a very stressful experience.

Peter Gude, 35, served sixteen years as an RAF firefighter in Iraq, Germany, the Falkland Islands, Croatia and Italy. A knee injury gained while representing the RAF at football developed into arthritis. Since he was no longer able to carry out his duties, he left the RAF on 14th June 2007.

Having decided that IT would be a good field of work, Gude's CTP careers consultant told him about the scheme for medically discharged personnel. He achieved 80% in the online test, and decided to take the fast track course. 'I enjoyed the training considerably, it was very intense and the practical side of the course was the most enjoyable. Everyone at Crewe did their utmost to help.'

Now working with Fujitsu, a job obtained through Cerco's recruitment division, he reports that: 'My first job is very interesting. I'm meeting different people and fixing problems in a range of situations. I use the communication and people skills developed in the military every day.'

As a CTP preferred supplier, Cerco has been training and placing Service leavers in challenging careers for many years. Steven Emden, managing director, believes that they can translate valuable experience and life skills into a civilian context. He wants to provide the training that enables them to do this, and also to support people who are injured while serving their country.

Anyone interested in further information on this offer or other Cerco resettlement opportunities, should ask their career consultant for a copy of the book - A Successful Career in IT Support - and then take the Online Test at www.cercotraining.co.uk to see if a career in IT support is right for them.

RAF offers opportunities for professional development

Royal Air Force people are now getting official recognition for their management and leadership capabilities through a new partnership with the Chartered Management Institute. Fast-track membership of the Institute is available to all RAF people, and individuals have access to professional development and qualifications, as well as management information and advice on how to develop their expertise.

The partnership also allows Servicemen and women to complete nationally recognised qualifications in management and leadership. The Diploma in Management, Executive Diploma in Management and Executive Diploma in Strategic Management take between six months and a year to complete. Courses cover core skills in teamwork, communication, resource management, how to maximise team performance and strategic team management, all of which are transferable to other professions. Programmes are designed to help individuals in their current and future roles, as well as any future careers.

People using the scheme will also have access to the CMI's resources including up-to-date research and a network of other managers in many different fields. They can also send specific questions to the Institute's Management Information Centre on a range of issues from how to manage change effectively, interview techniques or how to give a good appraisal.

As part of the scheme, the Institute's membership levels have been mapped with the RAF's internal rank structure and promotion courses so individuals can join at a level which matches their experience. Flying officers, pilot officers, first tour flight sergeants and sergeants qualify for associate status and ranks above flight lieutenant can become full members. To become a fellow of the Institute, individuals need to have achieved wing commander or group captain rank and above.