Category: Careers

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

Business Start Up For Marines

The Royal Marines Charity Business Set Up Workshop is a fantastic opportunity for retired and serving Royal Marines in resettlement as well as their family members to connect and engage with Business Mentors…

Encompassing a wide range of industry knowledge, many of the speakers are former Royal Marines who have transitioned from the Corps to launch successful Business ventures of their own. This is an interactive event compiled by former RM Matt Williams, Managing Director of Brigantes Consulting.

The day will focus on all the key elements of developing your idea into a solid business plan.

Serving Royal Marines: If you are currently in resettlement or downgraded facing medical discharge, this is an excellent opportunity for you to hear from former Royal Marines about their own resettlement in the South West.

Retired Royal Marines: With the unique insight of your own resettlement into civilian employment, we invite you to connect with local RMs in business across the South West and share your advice with those currently transitioning from the Corps.

Royal Marines Families: This masterclass is also available to family members of Royal Marines to connect with the Corps Family and hear first hand from those who have started their own successful ventures.

The next Royal Marines Charity Business Set Up Workshop takes place on Wednesday 13th February and you can book your place here.

1st February 2019
Driving Support Of The Armed Forces Community
The work of NHS Employers, particularly the Step into Health programme, has been highlighted as a driver for organisations being supportive of the Armed Forces community in a new report from the Forces in Mind Trust…

The report entitled Benefit not Burden, highlights the importance of the Armed Forces Covenant which ensures members of the Armed Forces community do not suffer a disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen.

The work of NHS Employers and the Step into Health programme is specifically referenced as both a factor that encourages NHS organisations to sign the covenant which then helps drive action once employers have pledged.

The report acknowledges that Step into Health helps employers by:
- providing a springboard from which organisations can act
- creating the conditions in which organisations can do more to support the Armed Forces community
- combining with the covenant to help galvanise action
Aside from pledging to Step into Health, the report offers multiple examples of how NHS organisations can make themselves forces friendly employers. NHS Employers has a range of resources that can be used to assist with these activities.

As an organisation, find out how you can:
- Create a dedicated Armed Forces policy
- Have a dedicated Armed Forces contact
- Establish an internal Armed Forces network
- Promote Armed Forces Day
As a line manager, find out about:
- the process of joining the reserve forces
- training
- mobilisation
- operational tours
- returning to work
Read more about the Forces in Mind Trust report here. For more information about how NHS Employers can support your organisation to be a Forces-friendly employer, visit their dedicated web pages.
31st January 2019
Forces Cyber Pathways Announce Insight Day On February, 15

Two ex-paratroopers are on a mission to transform the cyber security industry. Their mission is to develop military grade talent from the UK Armed Forces.

Steve Maguire and Richard Housley are joint founders of Forces Cyber Pathways, a company that provides free training for veterans who qualify for enhanced learning credits. Steve and Rich both served in 2 Para before moving into Law Enforcement and Risk and Crisis management respectively. Their mission is simple, they aim to provide meaningful employment to veterans and to tackle the cyber security skills shortage that currently exists. “With over 1.5 million vacancies expected over the next 2 years, more talent needs to be developed and brought into the industry, we believe that military veterans are a perfect fit to meet this challenge”, says Steve.

It is without doubt that our Armed Forces are pivotal in the defence of our shores and territories against physical attack, but, there now exists a new vector that threatens to invade and potentially cause as much devastation as conventional warfare; namely, cyber-attack.

Technological innovation is changing at a blistering pace; however, whilst the rate of technology dependence is allowing organisations to become more efficient, the exposure of sensitive data on internet facing channels, is providing rich pickings for online criminals. There has therefore never been a greater need for the services of cyber security specialists.

The cyber security industry is booming. This can be put down to the increase in the number of high-profile attacks and the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), an EU directive that places fines of up to 4% of global turnover on organisations in breach.

For companies, the prevalence of cyber related crime, has prompted a marked increase in risk awareness, causing them to take measures to defend themselves against cyber-attack. Not dissimilar to an Ops Room, Security Operations Centres (or SOC’s for short), are the first line of defence against cyber-attack. Their function is to identify, contain and eradicate threats against a company’s network.

FCP, and its training partner Siker Cyber, which is also a military veteran led company, has developed a 4-week training course, branded the Analyst Pathway. The Analyst Pathway is designed to prepare candidates, leaving or have left the forces for a successful career in cyber security.

Key to this mission, is to secure SOC Analyst roles for service leavers. The team has secured a number of roles with industry-leading organisations, exclusively for veterans, throughout 2019 and beyond. Rich is clear of where the company is heading: “There are so many similarities between physical and cyber security, which makes this the perfect industry for service leavers.” “17 years ago, Steve and I were serving together in Afghanistan; our service now, is for veterans that desire a career in cyber security.”

FCP is hosting an Insight Day at the University of Buckingham on the 15^th February, to give military candidates a flavour of the course and what a career in cyber security looks like. Maj Gen Chip Chapman, former CO of 2 Para, will provide a keynote speech on the cyber threat landscape. Entry is free and registrations for attendance are available here.

FCP is now accepting applications for the four-week Analyst Pathway course, commencing on Monday 1^st April 2019 at the beautiful University of Buckingham. This course will prepare candidates to pass the industry leading CREST Practitioner Security Analyst Exam. The course is free for veterans that are within the qualifying period for Enhanced Learning Credits. A number of Cyber-Security jobs are available at the conclusion of the course. We encourage candidates who are undertaking, or have obtained IT qualifications to apply.

Links:

Website: https://www.forcespathways.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/11363404

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForcesPathways/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Forces_Pathways

29th January 2019
Understanding Employment Outcomes For SNCOs

The Forces in Mind Trust has awarded Warwick Institute for Employment Research, in partnership with QinetiQ and RFEA, £111,352 to conduct a year-long study to better understand the employment outcomes for Senior Non-Commissioned Officers…

Mixed-methods of research will be used, which will include: analysis of the latest employment statistics, surveys and interviews with veteran SNCOs and interviews with SNCOs’ spouses and partners.

Ray Lock, Chief Executive of the Forces in Mind Trust, said: “We have identified in our previous work that some Senior Non-Commissioned Officers may face a more difficult transition into civilian lives, in part due to employment pathways when they leave service.

“By researching the current situation, we can determine what is needed to create lasting positive change. We will then re-shape the environment by influencing policies to enable this group to have a successful post-service career.”

Clare Lyonette from IER added: “We are excited to find out more about the employment challenges for this particular group of veterans and to identify how their skills and experience can be successfully transferred to a civilian environment. Our research aims to provide lasting benefits, not only for the veteran SNCOs, but also for their families.”

29th January 2019
Nursing Associates Move To The Next Level

Three staff members from The Royal Star & Garter Homes in Surbiton have become the first from the charity to begin their trainee Nursing Associate course…

Health Care Assistants (HCAs) Leena Ghale, Karen Jakeman, and Fiona Mirembe started the two-year course in January. The charity is one of only a handful of care homes to successfully put staff forward for the course, and the three believe they are the only students in their class of around 70 not to come from a hospital or trust.

The Royal Star & Garter Homes has played a critical part in the roll-out of the pioneering course, commissioned by Health Education England to bridge the gap between Healthcare Assistants and Nurses, by providing placements to Nursing Associate trainees since the pilot began in 2017.

During their studies Leena, Fiona and Karen will continue working at the Home in Surbiton, while also attending St George’s, University of London, one day a week, and go on three four-week placements in other care settings. The charity is meeting the costs of covering their roles during the course, as both an investment in its staff and recognition of their dedication and hard work.

After successfully completing their course, the trio will be able to take on some responsibilities which currently lie with nurses, allowing the team to work more efficiently. As qualified Nursing Associates they will be able to take blood samples, administer oral medications, and assist nurses with residents’ care plans.

Lead HCA Karen works in specialist dementia care and has been with the charity for two years. She said: “This is a massive step in my career development, and I feel so proud. We give so much of ourselves emotionally and physically, so it’s nice when that hard work is recognised. I cried when I found out I was on the course, I felt like a valued member of the team.”

Pauline Shaw, Director of Care at The Royal Star & Garter Homes, said: “We are immensely proud to put forward our staff as trainee Nursing Associates – very few care homes have been able to do this, and it acknowledges the excellent service we offer to residents. What our staff will learn during the two-year course will benefit them, the team they work in, and help us continue to provide award-winning care.”

The next cohort from The Royal Star & Garter Homes will begin their trainee Nursing Associate course in September.

27th January 2019
Navy One Of UK’s Top LGBT-Friendly Employers

LGBT equality charity Stonewall has placed the naval service in 15th place on this year’s Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, which lists the nation’s top 100 organisations…

The Royal Navy was the first defence organisation to join Stonewall as a Diversity Champion in 2005 and has continued to support LGBT+ sailors and marines through its gender identity and sexual orientation network, Compass.

Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Tony Radakin said: “To fulfil our mission of keeping Britain safe, we rely on the skills of the most talented people regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Not only do we want to reflect the communities we serve, but we know our people perform at their best when they can be themselves.

“Therefore we are fully committed to providing a workplace where our sailors and marines feel supported. I am immensely proud to see our continued efforts recognised with such a high position on the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index this year.”

Last year, the naval service enhanced its support of the LGBT+ community when Royal Marines officially took part in London Pride – their first time appearing at a Pride event. Sailors and marines were cheered on by hundreds of thousands of spectators as they were led through the capitol by the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines from HMS Collingwood last July.

Commander Samantha Truelove, co-chair of the Compass Network, said: “Growing our position in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index is a ringing endorsement of who we are as an organisation. LGBT+ men and women should absolutely consider the Royal Navy or Royal Marines as a career option because we know our people are our strength.

“We will always provide a workplace where people can be themselves and differences are celebrated – it’s your talent and commitment that matters. It feels great to be able to serve my country knowing my sexuality has no impact on the acceptance and support of my colleagues. I am proud to say I can truly be myself in the workplace and am valued for my contribution to the Royal Navy and wider Defence.”

21st January 2019
Report To Study Support For Service Families
A new study that will assess the support available to military families including spouses, partners, and children, has been commissioned by Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson…

The report will be authored by Andrew Selous MP, who has previously served in the Honourable Artillery Company and the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. It will analyse the different experiences of service family members, focussing on:
- Spouses and civil partners
- Long term partners
- Children and dependents
The report’s findings, which will be completed by summer 2019, will consider the diverse needs of service families and assess whether the current support on offer is meeting these needs. The study will also allow the MOD to further enhance the delivery of vital support for military families.

The MOD supports service families in many aspects of their lives, including housing, education, and spousal employment. As part of the study, Mr Selous will engage with key stakeholders, including the three single service families federations, service charities, and the Covenant Fund Trust, which makes grants to support the armed forces community.

Gavin Williamson said: “The success of our armed forces would not be possible without the constant support of service families, often the unsung heroes of the military community. I’m always inspired by their unfaltering fortitude, and the pride they take in in their loved ones’ service. I’m delighted that Andrew will be considering how we can best support them, as they support those keeping this country safe.”

Andrew Selous MP said: “As a nation, we rely on the strength of our Armed Forces to keep us safe. The nation in turn, has a duty to support and strengthen service families to help them perform a challenging role to the best of their ability. I look forward to leading this critically important study to assess the current needs of military families and to advise on the support they need.”

The MOD has continued to bolster its funding for service families allocating £5 million to the Education Support Fund and investing £68 million into the improvement of family accommodation. Last year saw the launch of the Armed Forces Flexible Working Act and the announcement of a new scheme to support spouses’ employment.
20th January 2019
Business Start-Up Workshop For Naval Families
Funded by Greenwich Hospital and tailored for Naval Families, the X-Forces Enterprise award-winning Business Start-Up Workshop is heading to Portsmouth…

This 4-day course will be run over 8 weeks, beginning 22nd January, and is the start of your journey to successful business ownership.

Whether you’ve already started working on your business idea or just considering self-employment, why not come along to this X-Forces Enterprise business workshop and meet like-minded people.

This practical workshop will equip you with the relevant information needed to decide if self-employment is right for you.

Key content covered in the workshop includes:
- The good, the bad and the ugly of self-employment
- Attributes required for business success
- If after attending this course, you wish to pursue self-employment, X-Forces offers further business planning days to progress your business idea and bring it to reality
Learn more and book your place here or call Faye on 0207 811 3969.
17th January 2019
Development Programme For Emerging Leaders

Clore Social Leadership, together with the Forces in Mind Trust, and Cobseo are delighted to announce details of over 20 successful emerging leaders who will participate in the second Cobseo Emerging Leader Programme designed for the Armed Forces charities sector…

The Cobseo Emerging Leader Programme is a 6-month leadership development journey aimed at emerging leaders working in the Armed Forces charities sector. Designed in partnership with Cobseo and FiMT, the programme will seek to build agile, resilient and effective leadership while consolidating solidarity, collaboration and joint action within the sector.

The 2019 cohort consists of over twenty leaders working in a variety of Armed Forces charities sector organisations, including larger charities such as SSAFA, Poppyscotland, The Royal British Legion and Seafarers UK, as well as smaller ones, for example Bravehound and East Sussex Veterans’ Hub.

Commenting on the 2019 intake, Air Vice-Marshal Ray Lock CBE, Chief Executive of Forces in Mind Trust and a Cobseo Executive Committee member said: “We are delighted to be funding this second bespoke Cobseo version of Clore’s prestigious Emerging Leader Programme, particularly in light of the achievements of participants on the inaugural programme last year.

“Some of FiMT’s aims are to encourage collaboration and enhance leadership, thus strengthening the Armed Forces charities sector. The Clore programme is a perfect example of this in action. This programme delivers a measurable impact on the broader sector and the benefit to the participants will also enable them to empower their colleagues.”

Participants will have the opportunity to develop their social leadership abilities and utilise their applied learnings in team challenges to immediately transfer the skills they gain from the programme back into their organisations.

Commenting on the impact of the previous programme, Rob Thorburn, Grants Officer at the Forces in Mind Trust, said: “The programme is a holistic leadership experience and you benefit from the support of experts and peers. It will give you and your organisation the best possible preparation in order to confidently lead and succeed in your working life.”

As it builds on all aspects of Clore Social’s Social Leaders’ Capabilities Framework, the programme will help leaders become more empowered, focused, and generous, so that they can effectively transform the Armed Forces charities sector to meet current and future challenges, and lead social change.

You can find more information about the programme and the announcement here.

15th January 2019
Rosyth Yard Awarded HMS Queen Elizabeth Contract

A Scottish dockyard has been awarded a contract to carry out the first planned dry-dock maintenance of Britain’s largest warship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, Defence Minister Stuart Andrew has announced…

The £5 million contract, won by defence company Babcock, will allow the 65,000-tonne carrier to undergo a routine, planned hull survey and maintenance of her underwater systems over a six-week period at the company’s Rosyth site. The work will sustain 100 jobs at its peak and be carried out in the summer.

Defence Minister Stuart Andrew said: “After a phenomenal year of trials off the East Coast of the US, this dry-docking contract is an important step for HMS Queen Elizabeth as she gears up for operations. The largest ship in our history, which was assembled in Rosyth, will now return for this multi-million-pound routine maintenance work as she gets set to represent Britain across the world for decades to come.”

The dry-docking period will mark the cutting-edge carrier’s return to the shipyard where she was built. Her sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, is currently undergoing the final stages of construction at the Rosyth yard and was powered up for the first time in November. She is due to be handed over to the Royal Navy later this year.

Russell Brown, Director Ships Support at Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), said: “The teams at Defence Equipment and Support are committed to bringing the national flagships into operational service and this dry docking is a crucial step on that journey. This significant national enterprise is built upon the excellent relationships across defence and the unparalleled skills within UK industry.”

12th January 2019