The challenges facing HM Forces personnel seeking post-Service redeployment

It is an unfortunate fact that a large proportion of civilian employers fail to recognise that many of the skills and attributes possessed by ex-HM Forces personnel are extremely valuable and transferable. This has always been a challenge facing ex-Services personnel, but in the face of the worst recession in living memory it has become even more acute.

So how should you go about maximising your chances of securing civilian employment?

It is clear that, in the present jobs climate, the competition is intense and, in general, there are more applicants than there are jobs – especially in the traditional redeployment career paths in general management, personnel management, security, HM Constabulary, etc. However, this is not the case in all sectors – there are still areas where there are severe skills shortages, as listed in the table below.

Software development

Testing

Help desk support

Managed services

Telecoms

Mobile phones

Offshore and onshore oil and gas

Civil and structural construction

Infrastructure projects

Offshore and onshore oil and gas

Petrochemicals

Electrical and electronics

Telecoms manufacturing

Hardware manufacturing

Mechanical

Vehicle maintenance

Production plant maintenance

Offshore and onshore oil and gas construction and

commissioning

Security

Marine security

Specialist security companies

Individual personal protection

Bomb disposal Unexploded ordnance clearance

Sports and leisure

Personal trainers

Fitness instructors

Whichever industries or sectors you decide to target, the key issue is to ensure that potential employers understand that your training and skills sets are transferable assets. It is also important to realise that civilian employers will be unfamiliar with HM Forces jargon and its use must be avoided. There are many aspects of your training and experience in the Forces that you take for granted but are important to highlight to prospective employers. For example:

levels of personal fitness attained
hardships endured
staying cool under fire
man management
self-discipline
leadership abilities
multi-tasking ability
teamwork.

It is also vital to understand the importance of a good CV and the necessity of a strategic approach to marketing yourself. You have to stand out from the crowd in order to get interviewed and secure a job.

This is where PrimeCandidate can help you. It offers a highly professional, bespoke online CV writing and posting service. Your CV is the most powerful sales and marketing tool at your disposal when searching for a new job, and should therefore be taken very seriously. PrimeCandidate will give your CV the edge it needs to get noticed. It comprises ex-recruitment and industry professionals with hiring manager status, and is in the best possible position to produce professional CVs and recommend CV posting locations. Social networking sites are fast becoming the resourcing tool of choice for many employers around the world. We can set you up on professional/social networking sites by creating a ‘fit for purpose’ profile page, attach your CV, generate connections and make suggestions for suitable groups to join. In short, we prime today’s job hunters into Prime Candidates for interview and selection!

You can order most of our services online at www.primecandidateuk.com or to speak to us in person about your requirements please call on +44 01423 563750.

See the advertisement on page 74.

Telecoms training in evolving technologies and next-generation networks

The investment and growth within the telecommunications industry will continue to increase substantially, especially with the release of additional frequencies and spectrum in both the licensed and unlicensed sectors. This will be good news for engineers with wireless skills – and certainly for Service personnel who intend to stay in or move to the telecoms industry.

Next-generation technologies such as WiMAX and long term evolution (LTE) will roll out throughout the UK and across the world. Business and private users are keenly awaiting the advances in technology that will enable them to communicate faster and more efficiently, and 4th Generation (4G) certainly heralds a new breed of telecommunications devices and applications. New high-speed wireless broadband 4G networks will provide communications platforms and devices that will enhance the experience of all users.

It is said that LTE will be mainly an application/access-based technology and WiMAX providing backhaul for data-hungry applications – whatever the argument, one thing is certain: both technologies can and will co-exist. This will invariably mean that engineers with the relevant skills will be much in demand.

To help meet this demand, a consortium of industry and academic bodies have formed to develop and deliver recognised telecommunications qualifications. Wolverhampton University, which has a first-class Engineering Faculty, has joined with Ubi-Tech, a training company that has trained for companies including QinetiQ, Arqiva, Nortel, Orange and Vodafone, and Networks by Wireless, who are industry leaders in wireless communications, to assist Service leavers in attaining a rewarding and interesting new career.

To discover more about training, qualifications and employment opportunities, please see our advertisement on page 15. Alternatively, call Rob Gardiner on 07792 660794, or email rob@ubi-tech.co.uk.

Published February 2011

Reach new heights as an Omega engineer

Omega Solutions Group Limited builds light, medium or heavy communications infrastructure to produce network connectivity and network coverage. We work for mobile operators, local government and the private sector, operating throughout the UK and overseas, and are currently recruiting engineers who can work at height safely and with confidence. Most people walk to work: we need to climb to get to our place of work before we even start carrying out the day’s tasks.

Current work streams including the installation of microwave equipment technologies, transproving, decommissioning, surveying and the upgrading of sites to include 3G. We are a one-stop shop, including the reselling of hardware into the industry. We work alongside our training company, High Work Limited (a specialist in industrial access, rescue and resources), to ensure that our engineers are trained to the highest standards.

Engineers who show good aptitude and attitude are moved up the ladder to become team leaders and senior field engineers. Those that display the ability to project manage will be invited to join the office team. We are looking for team players who will use the skills they have learned in the Forces and adapt them to our industry.
   

Is there a downturn in our industry? Absolutely not. Can we get the right calibre of engineers? Absolutely not! We are not looking for Spider-Man or particularly technical wizards – just guys who can climb, are willing to learn and show that they can get the job done. As a company we are small enough to remain highly flexible. That’s why we are winning the work.

For more information, call: +44 (0)1737 824034, fax: +44 (0)1737 822679 or email: enquiries@osg9.com.

See the advertisement on page 49.

Published November 2010

Careers and training within the telecommunications industry

Telecommunications, or telecoms, is a fastmoving, exciting and global industry, providing a wide variety of interesting jobs and careers. With growth coming from new technologies, new products, new services and new users, there are always opportunities available for those with the right skills.

There is a vast range of different careers in the telecoms industry, providing opportunities for new entrants at every level across a great many roles. These include fieldbased engineering and maintenance jobs, from radio and core network design and testing through to sales and marketing.

The employers offering these roles are just as diverse, and include network equipment and handset manufacturers, network operators, technical support services, software designers, emergency services, government agencies, retailers and so on.

The industry’s rate of technological advancement is simply amazing. Breakthrough, or ‘disruptive’, technologies are the norm. As allIP and 4G systems are beginning to be rolled out, we remember the excitement generated by the first digital (2G) systems only a few short years ago.

In order to keep pace with this technological advancement, telecoms companies generally provide good training for their employees. This is delivered internally and through external training companies, such as Wray Castle, which provide general and specialist training in telecoms technologies and markets through short courses.

So whether you’re leaving the Armed Forces or from a different background, the telecoms industry has an interesting and fulfilling career for anyone with the right skills and training.

Published March 2010

Training for your future

Choosing a new career can make any Service leaver perplexed. Do you want to start your own business? Does teaching appeal? How about close protection work? You want to make the right choice, but you may not know immediately what that is. Former RAF Regiment Sergeant Nigel Ellis had served in Northern Ireland, Kuwait, Iraq, Germany, Belize and the USA, and as an instructor in first aid, small arms weapons, and arrest and restraint at RAF St Mawgan's Survival School.

Before leaving he had trained as a close protection officer, intending work in the UK. But UK-based opportunities could be irregular, so he decided to look at using his knowledge and skills in the learning sector instead. Research showed that, to become a trainer, he would need at least the new Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Sector (PTLLS) qualification. It did not matter that he was already an experienced instructor; anyone who wants to teach adults now needs this qualification.

Having read about Gloucester-based training company Lynceus (see the advertisement on page 22), Ellis enrolled on their PTLLS course in January and qualified as a facilitator. Recognising his experience, the company offered him a Middle East training contract. Just back from his fourth trip to Kuwait, he believes that this 'was a good move, because not only did I get excellent training from like-minded people, I also got a job. The PTLLS course was invaluable too. At first, I couldn't see why an experienced instructor would need to be taught how to train adults, but PTLLS gave me a different view on how to teach and at what level to pitch a subject. It's different in the civilian world - you must establish the learner's needs and adapt your teaching style to suit them.

'I'm looking forward to returning to Kuwait and conducting my next teaching phase within the local oil sector. I now have great job opportunities with excellent pay rates, and in addition I still have the time and flexibility in which to enjoy my time off.'

Renewable energy training from MET-UK

Gas engineers and plumbers are the gatekeepers of renewable energy in the home. With massive government and public awareness of rising energy bills and green politics, there are many opportunities but few skilled people qualified to carry out the work.

The renewable energy installer course comes in two forms, a full resettlement option for complete

Telecommunications - Despatches

The challenges facing HM Forces personnel seeking post-Service redeployment

Telecoms training in evolving technologies and next-generation networks

Reach new heights as an Omega engineer