ATTENTION! The Armed Forces are the biggest backer of apprenticeships in the UK.
Tomorrow is Armed Forces Day, when the nation shows its support for those serving.
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Around 11,000 new starters join the Army each year, with 90 per cent enrolling on an “earn as you learn” scheme.
Plus, 2,500 join the RAF and up to 5,000 the Navy.
The Army offers one of the largest range of apprenticeships, with 40 different programmes.
Choices range from plumbing, carpentry and driving to telecoms, cooking and animal care.
Col Jo Burgon, head of education branch, says: “We are proud to offer our soldiers a nationally-recognised and accredited occupational apprenticeship.”
Sign up to join with parental consent from 16.
Courses are open to anyone aged 18-36, with a GCSE in maths and English.
‘You can improve yourself while having fun’
L/Cpl Jason MacCormack swapped being a car mechanic for working on tanks.
He is a Tank Crewman in the Royal Armoured Corps based at Bovington, Dorset.
The 27-year-old, from Plymouth, said: “When you do an Army apprentice- ship, you’re already a qualified soldier, on full soldier’s pay.
“You also get learning credits which count towards further qualifications, such as a diploma or degree.
“I’ve travelled to Spain, France, Italy, Australia, Estonia, Poland and America.
“The Army is challenging but it makes you grow up. You can improve yourself while having fun.
“There are so many roles – you can find out about the ones you are most suitable for.”
Personnel care
EX-MILITARY personnel needed to safeguard and preserve vacant buildings are being recruited by Live-In Caretakers.
Ben Moses’s life was changed after being helped by the property protection firm.
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He says: “Live-in Caretakers has given me stability and a much-needed safety net. Within 24 hours of calling them I had a job and a roof over my head.”
Successful applicants earn a salary and close protection qualifications.
Founder and former British Army warrant officer Lee Rider says: “Many who leave the military don’t know how to survive in the civilian world.
Our aim is to rebuild their self-esteem and help them integrate back into society.”
Jobspot
BUILDING material suppliers SIG Distribution is seeking ex-military to join as managers, IT workers, transport coordinators and lorry drivers. See sigplc.com/careers.
Engineer a move
BRITISH GAS has up to 1,000 roles available in the next 12 months, including 70 smart meter apprentices.
Howard Bailey, head of resourcing, says: “At British Gas, we’re striving to be an inclusive employer and our apprentices come from all walks of life.
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“Almost a third of them are over the age of 30, and many are career-changers.”
Mark Addison served in the Forces for 22 years before becoming a smart meter energy engineer.
The 52-year-old says: “Fitting smart meters is about as far away from driving tanks as you can get, but British Gas offered me lots of support during my apprenticeship. You’re never too old to start anything new.”
Jobspot
HOTEL and restaurant chain Whitbread has joined forces with the MoD to help partners of serving personnel find jobs. See whitbreadcareers.com.
Keeping skills in reserve
HELP your country and boost your CV by joining the Forces Reserves.
Commit from 19 days a year and learn new skills alongside serving soldiers.
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Barclay’s Bank employee Simon Hailes, 38, from Clapham, South London, joined the Royal Naval Reserves two years ago.
Now a Sub-Lieutenant, Media Operations Specialist, he tells how the experience can help you climb the career ladder.
- GAIN NEW SKILLS: You will be put into challenging situations, which will help you become a better leader and team player.
- GET YOURSELF FIT: Take up adventurous sports such as skiing in the Reserves.
- TALK TO YOUR BOSS: Top employers provide extra paid leave for military training.
- BOOST SENSE OF ADVENTURE: You will travel the world.
- TAKE PRIDE: It’s an honour to serve your country.
See royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/royal-naval-reserves.
