Defence cuts prompt major event to help ex-Forces personnel return to civilian life

Defence cuts prompt major event to help ex-Forces personnel return to civilian life A major event is being staged in preparation for thousands of military personnel expected to leave the Armed Forces. The British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS) will be holding a career transition and networking event in Catterick on February 3 to help past, present and future service leavers and their family members access a range of support organisations and find meaningful employment when they return to civilian life. Over 40 exhibitors have already booked stands at the event, including notable companies such as British Gas, AMEC, Civvy Street, Yorkshire Water, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Drivers Direct. The event in Catterick follows two previously successful ones staged by the BFRS in Aldershot and is due to be attended by Garrison Commander, Colonel Nick Millen, and Mayor of Richmond, Cllr Barry Heap. The event will also include practical sessions in areas such as CV writing and interview skills, where common mistakes can make the transition to civilian life more difficult. In last year’s strategic defence review, the government revealed that defence spending would fall by 8 per cent over four years with the RAF and Navy due to lose 5,000 jobs each, the Army 7,000 and the Ministry of Defence 25,000 civilian staff. Neil Dean, business manager of BFRS, said: “We have already staged two incredibly successful events in Aldershot which proved very popular and offered practical advice and support for those who have either left the Forces or are thinking of doing so. The strategic defence review has brought the issue into sharper focus for many. There will be thousands of highly skilled ex-Forces personnel entering the jobs market over the next few years, many of whom don’t realise the benefits their skills can bring to civilian employers. “This is essentially why we’ve organised the latest event at Catterick at the earliest possible opportunity. It will help give Service leavers a head start in making the transition back to civilian life. Part of our aim is to help them understand the options that are open to them, to identify their skill sets and ultimately make themselves the most attractive proposition to potential employers. A first class CV for example is vital and by giving Service leavers some direction and guidance, we hope that they will be in the strongest possible position.” A major feature at the Catterick event will be the unveiling of Omnivil www.omnivil.com, the UK’s first fully functional virtual job fair. This will herald a whole new approach to ex-military recruitment, and will bring employers and prospective candidates together in an online forum that has all the facilities currently being offered in the “real world”. Available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, Omnivil will make the career transition process very easy and accessible. All the exhibitors at Catterick will have their own online booth, which will enhance the transition services available on the day. Colonel Millen said: “Although a somewhat daunting prospect in some regards, the completion of one’s military service is in an opportunity too: the key to exploiting this opportunity to its best effect is to be properly prepared. The British Forces Resettlement Services event in Catterick (which is complimentary to other local resettlement services provided by the MOD for those leaving) is an important occasion for those about to or considering leaving the services in the North East: for some it will not doubt be a ‘wake up call’, for others it will help widen their horizons and so broaden their opportunities, or perhaps simply provide advice as to the importance of an appropriate CV. I am in no doubt that for all those that are able to attend it will be useful and so form an important part of their transition from military service to a successful and meaningful civilian career: I look forward to it with real interest.” -ENDS-

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