Category: Careers

Explore career opportunities and resources for effective job placement in diverse industries, including administration, recruitment tips, and remote work options.

Gain Knowledge, Build Networks And Develop Confidence

The Officers’ Association (OA) return to the historic city of York to deliver their flagship career event for officers in the North…

The OA Employment Symposium brings together transitioning and former officers with employers and industry experts, so they can take their next step towards a new career after the Armed Forces.

Employers from a range of industries will discuss the opportunities available to veterans, and how to increase employability in civilian life. Former officers, who have built successful commercial careers, will also share their experiences and insights.

The breakout sessions are a great opportunity to explore different industries in more detail. You can learn more about common career paths, such as project management, operations management and consultancy. There will also be networking opportunities.

Liz Stevens, OA Head of Employment Services, said: “The OA Employment Symposium in York is our largest career event in the North of England. It is a great opportunity for transitioning and former officers to gain knowledge, build networks and develop confidence to build the next steps of their career.”

A previous attendee said: “A good opportunity to obtain a general overview of different sectors and to meet others in the same situation – reassuring and encouraging!”

The OA Employment Symposium is on Wednesday 11th July at the University of York, Campus East. Tickets are £10 (plus Eventbrite admin fee) to cover the cost of the venue, lunch and refreshments. Register for the event here.

26th April 2018
Reward Greatness In Just 10 Minutes

Did you know you could nominate someone who has inspired you for an IET Achievement Award?

It could be someone you work with, or even someone you’ve never actually spoken to – but who has demonstrated real brilliance in the field of engineering.

We’ve improved our nomination form so it will now take just 10 minutes to complete; we’ve stripped it back and just want you to tell us about what makes them great, and for most of the awards they don’t even need to be a member!

Help us reward greatness – please take just 10 minutes to recognise someone’s great achievements today.

We have a variety of categories to recognise people from a range of disciplines, whether at the start of their career or more established.

Take a look at our website for more information on our range of awards and their individual criteria.

25th April 2018
Digital Skills For The Military Family
Recruit for Spouses (RfS), the award-winning social enterprise dedicated to returning military spouses to the workplace, has partnered with the Google Digital Garage to deliver digital skills training to those with connections to the military…

The initiative will launch in Helensburgh, Scotland, on Wednesday 9th May – 24 hours before celebrations for the 50th anniversary of HMS Neptune.

The training is available to military spouses, serving personnel and anyone with a proven connection to the military community and will offer free workshops and face-to-face coaching, with visitors having the option to either book in advance or simply drop by for on-the-spot help.

The training ranges from beginner to intermediate levels, meaning anyone can come and take part. Topics covered will include:

1) CV writing – how to define and highlight relevant skills to give CVs a competitive edge;

2) Social media strategy – how harnessing the power of social media is invaluable when it comes to reaching and retaining a new audience;

3) ‘I am Remarkable’ – an initiative aimed at empowering under-represented groups to celebrate their achievements in the workplace and beyond. The movement provides women and other under-represented groups with the tools for effective and positive self-promotion through an interactive workshop.

Join us in one of our locations up and down the country to gain key digital skills from the Google Digital Garage this summer:
- Helensburgh – 9th May
- Catterick – 18th May
- Staffordshire – 25th May
- Brize Norton – 1st June
- Portsmouth – 8th June
Ella Mountney, Marketing Manager at Recruit for Spouses, said: “The first Google office was a garage (really – Google it), so what’s stopping the front room of a military quarter becoming the launch pad for tomorrow’s exciting new brand or idea?

“Together, the adaptability and resourcefulness of our military spouses, coupled with a Google digital expert teaching the skills needed to gain a competitive advantage in an ever-changing work space, makes for a strong dynamic.”

These free, one-day packages will be fun, personalised and hands-on, preparing spouses for the career they deserve.
23rd April 2018
Scottish Veterans Fund – New Projects Added

Veterans in Scotland are set to benefit from initiatives to improve employment opportunities and help transition after serving…

Awards made to veterans and ex-services charities across Scotland from the Scottish Veterans Fund (SVF) now total more than £1.3 million.

Grant funding of £204,000 has been newly allocated to ten projects across Scotland to encourage employment opportunities for veterans, help them develop key skills when transitioning and improve community support. Six projects which continue from last year will also be given £67,000 in 2018/19.

This funding includes £93,000 from Standard Life Aberdeen, over the next two years, who continue to partner with the Scottish Government to enhance the fund.

On a visit to the Whitefoord House Scottish Veterans Residence (SVR) in Edinburgh, which has been awarded £3,268 to provide veterans living in supported accommodation with the skills to prepare nutritious food safely and to manage a budget for a healthy diet, the Scottish Veterans Minister Keith Brown said:

“We want to make Scotland the destination of choice for those leaving the Armed Forces, and their families. We want to support veterans, and enable them to realise their potential. The Scottish Veterans Fund provides vital funding to projects that promote employment and skills development, as well as creating opportunities for social inclusion.

“I’d like to thank Standard Life Aberdeen for their continued support, which makes it possible for these fantastic projects to make a real, positive difference to the lives of ex-servicemen and women.

Sandy MacDonald, Head of Sustainability at Standard Life Aberdeen, said: “At Standard Life Aberdeen, we’ve seen first-hand the hugely positive impact that armed forces veterans bring to our workplace and community. We’re proud to be continuing our commitment to The Scottish Veterans Fund, and it’s great to see that such fantastic projects are going to be receiving this vital support.”

The Scottish Veterans Commissioner, Eric Fraser said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Government and Standard Life Aberdeen are continuing their support for our veterans community through the Scottish Veterans Fund. There are many innovative and exciting projects this year which will make a real difference and help even more veterans fulfil their potential.”

The full details of the successful bids can be found here.

18th April 2018
Celebrating Life-Changing Opportunities For Ex-Navy Personnel

X-Forces Enterprises (XFE), together with Greenwich Hospital, A Crown Royal Navy Charity, met with the 2017 cohort from the Naval Families Enterprise Project in Portsmouth…

The event, which was held in the stunning surroundings of the Portsmouth Room at the Portsmouth Guildhall, was sponsored by Kilfrost Ltd and hosted by Solent LEP. It was a reunion for the sixteen members of the 2017 cohort and celebrated their success.

It was also the launch-pad for the second programme which will start in September 2018.

The initial project, organised by XFE, covered enterprise learning, business planning, networking as well as on-going support for the naval families. As a proud gold award holder of the Armed Forces Employers Recognition Scheme, XFE is fully committed to supporting military veterans and their families in business, and organises regular courses and initiatives to equip them with the skills, support and mentoring necessary for self-employment.

Greenwich Hospital, partnering XFE in this initiative, is the unique Royal Naval Crown Charity founded in 1694 to support serving and retired Royal Navy seamen and their families. Today it supports beneficiaries through projects which include benevolence, annuities, education, housing, financial resilience, health and well-being, and much more.

In 2016-2017, Greenwich Hospital disbursed some £7.5 million through more than 50 separate projects which have assisted over 75,000 Naval Service beneficiaries.

The programmes with XFE fulfil the Hospital’s aim of supporting initiatives which provide an upstream, positive impact so as to prevent the need for downstream charitable interventions, helping to set RN personnel and their families on a secure and stable path for the future throughout both their service and subsequent civilian careers.

Hugh Player, Director of Greenwich Hospital said: “We are delighted to have funded this X-Forces’ Business Start-up Workshop which has been uniquely-tailored for Naval families and we look forward to participating in the next Workshop which will take place in Plymouth in September.”

Mr Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, was present for the event together with Steve Futter from Solent LEP, Gary Lydiate, Chief Executive of Kilfrost Ltd and Cllr Michael Cheshire, Leader of the Havant County Council. Joining them were both the XFE and Greenwich Hospital teams and representatives from the MoD, the Service Charities and Associations, Corporates including NatWest, Landmarc and Dell EMC, and beneficiaries.

Ren Kapur MBE, Founder and CEO of XFE, welcomed the 2017 cohorts and guests. She then facilitated an X-Forces Enterprise Case Study panel with beneficiaries John Geden, from Sinah Common Honey; Neel Singh from Dorking Brewery and Neil Hallsworth from Explorer Coffees. The panel showcased successful business start-ups that have benefitted from XFE assistance and support.

Reflecting on the event Ren said: “I am delighted to welcome back our successful cohort from last year. This project is a remarkable achievement, both within XFE and the supporting naval communities. To be able to see the progress and success of the first cohort, and then launch a new cohort to start later this year humbles us and at the same time demonstrates the great support there is from the community. This is a great start and augurs well for a sustainable path for ex-service personnel and their families.”

As Karen Blayney, one of the participants from the first cohort said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the X-Forces Business Start-Up Course and felt inspired from Day One that starting my own business – no matter how small it was actually going to be – was something achievable, challenging in a good way and very exciting.

“Roger Cawte delivered an organised and informative course with an abundance of humour and inclusiveness for all attendees. I have learnt loads, my business is growing, I’ve made some new friends and I’m now part of an exciting and supportive business networking group. I thoroughly recommend this course for anyone thinking of running their own business.”

In a comment, Gary Lydiate said: “X -Forces Enterprise enables and empowers all ex-service personnel to succeed and thrive in whatever business venture they choose and I’m delighted to be a part of celebrating that success. Given my early career in the Royal Navy, it was absolutely right that Kilfrost supports this event and I’m proud to be a sponsor.”

Col. Andy Deans MBE, Assistant Director Through Life Development at the MoD delivered the closing speech and said that such initiatives are life-changing opportunities for ex-service personnel. The skills gained not only benefit the individuals and their immediate families but their wider communities and the UK’s business community. He concluded by urging beneficiaries to stay informed, offer support and become actively engaged in the project.

To find out more about this year’s programme or to register your interest please email craig@x-forces.com or call 0207 811 3969.

16th April 2018
From Military To Mission

Stuart Fitch, Operations Support Manager for Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) talks about his journey from the RAF to becoming a bush pilot for the world’s largest humanitarian aviation service provider.

How did you come to join the RAF?
I grew up in Norfolk, and joined as a pilot straight after leaving school – something I’d dreamed of since I was 13. I returned to University later to complete an MSc in Aviation Management.

What were the highlights of your military career?
I enjoyed flying in support of operations in the Balkans and Afghanistan and being part of a huge team. Personal highlights included air-to-air refuelling over Afghanistan and attending multinational exercises in Canada, USA, Malaysia, Japan and Europe.

What prompted you to become a bush pilot?
I felt it was the right thing to do to join the RAF to be a pilot. However, when I discovered MAF’s work, I felt a growing desire to serve their humanitarian mission and combine my Christian faith with my flying skills and help reach people in real need doing something to transform their lives.

How did your life change when you then joined MAF?
Living overseas in Kenya and South Africa with my family and flying in places such as South Sudan was a big change. The aircraft were smaller and the airstrips very different! It took me some time to adjust to working outside of such a structured environment as the military.

What has challenged you about serving with MAF?
Working in South Sudan supporting the aid community there was truly eye-opening. But serving in a developing country with huge needs has been a privilege. There are many hot, hard, tiring days of flying, but they end invariably with you knowing the world is a (slightly) better place because of the work you’ve done. It’s so rewarding.

What would you say to anyone considering service with MAF?
Do it! However, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons – don’t just rely on a desire to help people and do good. MAF is a great organisation to work for – the balance of being able to use my Christian faith, technical skills and aircraft for peaceful and humanitarian purposes is perfect for me.

This article is taken from the January 2018 issue of Pathfinder International magazine.

Click the cover below to read the latest issue of Pathfinder Internatioanl magazine.

19th January 2018
Treat candidates well or lose them as future employees and customers

A new survey of professionals across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), has found that, regardless of whether they felt the role was a good fit, a staggering eight-in-10 (81 percent) respondents are unlikely to accept a job offer if they were treated poorly during the recruitment process. The survey, conducted by the Futurestep division of Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY), demonstrates how critical it is for organisations to place a strong emphasis on the candidate experience during the recruiting process.

Whilst less than a fifth (19 percent) would remain a customer of a company if they had a bad experience as a candidate, almost half (48 percent) would actually be likely to urge their friends and family members to stop being a customer. What’s more, a quarter (25 percent) would consider taking to social media to share their bad experience as a candidate applying for a job.

“Companies risk alienating not only strong candidates, but loyal customers if they don’t make a concerted effort to create an efficient, welcoming and informative environment during the hiring process,” said Jonathan Brown, Managing Director, Solutions, EMEA, Futurestep. “This equates to significant costs, both in terms of the time and money wasted during the hiring process, as well as loss of revenue from fleeing customers.”

When asked what would aggravate them most during the recruiting process two issues came out on top. Whilst two-fifths (37 percent) said not hearing back from the recruiter or hiring manager would aggravate them the most, over a third (34 percent) pointed to people being rude during an interview. This is particularly important when considering that respondents are often looking for guidance and support from recruiters and hiring managers during the recruitment process, with nearly a third (31 percent) claiming they do not believe recruiters give them the tools and tips they need to land a job.

“There is absolutely no excuse for recruiters and hiring managers to not respond to candidates, even if that communication is electronic such as email or text. New technology and AI tools are automating many of the traditionally manual recruiting tasks, freeing up time for recruiters to provide stronger candidate care and strategic counsel to their clients,” continued Brown.

Word-of-mouth communications is also a key factor to potential hires, with nearly every respondent (93 percent) admitting to researching online sites that give feedback on working for the company. A key tactic to help win candidates over is through adopting an employer branding strategy, which can be brought to life using a company’s digital platforms. For over a third (34 percent), the elements that matter most to them on a career website are video or case studies from a range of employees on company culture and what it is like to work there.

“The research makes one thing clear – the need to stand out as an employer is paramount, and how employers’ sell themselves to potential candidates will be a key decision-making factor for future hires,” said Neil Griffiths, leads Employer Branding solutions embedded within RPO partnerships at Futurestep. “Recruiters and hiring managers should take a look at the company culture and make sure the go-to-market strategy is authentic to the brand. After all, a brand that communicates its true sense of purpose and how all of the organisation’s stakeholders, including employees, play a role in that purpose is and will be especially attractive to most prospective candidates.”

27th November 2017