News

03 Mar, 2017

Quest ‘civvy’ contributor Ryan Mansfield reports from the resettlement frontline on an issue likely to be of concern to our readers: the unforeseen difficulties you may encounter with colleagues in the civilian workplace. While his focus here is on teaching, much of Ryan’s guidance has wider applications …

James Scott-Barrett

James Scott-Barrett trained at Sandhurst and served in the Scots Guards for six years, three of which he spent as a platoon commander in Afghanistan. Now, he’s halfway through an MBA at London Business School (LBS). So what made him step out of uniform and into student life?

09 Feb, 2017

Using learning credits with individual resettlement training costs

08 Feb, 2017

The MoD has optimised funding for Service leavers so they can use learning credits during resettlement with their individual resettlement training costs (IRTC) grant to pay towards the cost of eligible learning activities.

Loans

08 Feb, 2017

Professional and Career Development Loans are designed to help people change direction or increase their skills by providing a deferred repayment loan

Sponsorship

08 Feb, 2017

You may be able to access sponsorship through schemes set up to benefit Service leavers, such as that run by X-Forces

Stephen Beck

On completion of my foundation degree I was able to gain entry at the University of Plymouth, where the qualifications I had gained at college allowed me to join the final year of an accounting and finance degree.

John Bathgate

‘Throughout my eight-month journey from application to the CRB to passing my Part 3 test, I received excellent support and guidance from all concerned.

Former RAF Wing Commander sets up Drone Pilot Academy

Having served in the RAF for 17 years, former Wing Commander Jim Ixer hung up his flying gloves and entered the rapidly expanding commercial drone industry.

Paul Bailey

I believe that the experience and qualifications, together with Oak Tree’s CV and interview techniques coaching, enabled me to secure my current role.

Learn a trade: plastering, tiling, plumbing, carpentry, kitchen fitting, bricklaying …

Working for yourself as a self-employed tradesperson after completing an intensive training course may seem impossible but, as the following case study shows, with the right training and support you can do it …

Ricky Burt

‘I joined Lockforce because I wanted to be my own boss. I’m doing a job I love, but have a network of colleagues who are there to help.

Beverley Thorogood

I realised that the skills and knowledge I’d gained throughout my adult life were much greater than I’d given myself credit for

Ron Fellowes

Having left the Marines in 2012, I followed the crowd onto the ‘circuit’ for about three years – however, having spent too much time away from my family, I decided to put my ELC to good use.

Terverr Beynon

After choosing to leave the Army after 20 years’ service I knew that I required some commercial business education, exposure and some valid qualifications to underpin the management skills learned in the Army.

Gary Burden

The training I received from Oak Tree set the foundations for a successful second career: using the qualifications I gained, I have achieved professional recognition for my qualifications and experiences gained in Service and since leaving.

Jamie Fanneran - Open IT

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.'

Scott Berry