Finding new careers for Armed Forces personnel

The University of Wolverhampton is helping Armed Forces personnel to develop new careers after leaving the services.

Sports and leisure courses as well as teacher training opportunities are being developed for those leaving the Royal Navy, Army and RAF.

The aim is to translate their existing knowledge and experience into nationally and internationally recognised qualifications that can be transferred into their existing role in the Armed Forces and future careers.

The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) is a partnering agreement between the Ministry of Defence and Right Management, who are global career development and outplacement specialists. As part of the initiative, representatives of CTP visited the University’s Walsall Campus to see the facilities and meet with staff members.

The University has appointed Lianne Bradbury as its new Armed Forces & Uniformed Services Co-ordinator and she been working with the CTP and other organisations to develop the courses.

She said: “The University is striving to develop opportunities that meet the needs of Armed Forces personnel. The aim is to support Armed Forces personnel currently in service and leaving the services by providing quality courses designed to enhance personal and professional development.

“I have been actively engaging with the Career Transition Partnership, MoD organisations, service charities and academic Schools within the University to assist all involved in gaining a better understanding of what Armed Forces personnel want and the support that they require.

“The University has a dedicated HM Armed Forces webpage which gives service personnel all the information they need to know about University courses and funding. It has also developed a two-day business start-up course which has been specifically designed to assist service personnel in setting up a business.”

The CTP provides resettlement services for those leaving the Royal Navy, Army and RAF and operates as an intermediary service for employers wishing to hire Service leavers.

The visit to the Walsall Campus was to discuss opportunities for developing short sports & leisure courses for service leavers with the School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure. The group also discussed the ‘Troops to Teachers’ programme run by the School for Education Futures for service leavers in teaching.

ENDS

Picture: Left to right: John Chorley & Patrick Smith from the School for Education Futures, Laura Brown & Liz Taylor from The Career Transition Partnership, Lianne Bradbury, the University’s Armed Forces & Uniformed Services Co-ordinator and Pat McCarthy from the School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure.

For more information please contact Vickie Warren in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736