Seventeen UK based companies, all keen to train and recruit Service leavers, attended the Industry Awareness Day, held in the Divisional Conference Centre (DCC) on Wentworth Barracks, Herford on Tuesday, March 31.

Service personnel thinking of leaving the Forces were given the opportunity to ask industry representatives how well their military skills suited civilian employers and find out about the options open to them.

Sgt Tim Sturgess, from 4 Scots in Fallingbostel, attended the event and was looking at possibly going into the security services upon leaving.

Tim said the event was very helpful: “The day is really good.  All the information is there for you, it’s just up to you to make the decision about what to do.

“You can fall flat on your feet in civvie street if you don’t take advantage of all this.”

Colin Syme, an ex RAF Sergeant himself, was representing CTTS (Cable Telecommunications Training Services) and explained why ex-military personnel are in demand in the work place: “The Forces’ can-do attitude is really respected by employers.”

Mick Foster, ex Police Inspector and current Recruitment Officer agreed: “Service leavers are successful in the police because the skills the military has given them make them stand out above civvies. 

“They have good communication skills, are worldly-wise and strong yet can show compassion.  They also have a higher percentage pass rate at the police assessment centres than civilians.”

Sgt Paul Brain from 35 Engr Regt in Paderborn said: “The day has been useful because it is a proactive way of getting some good advice.  I’ve got mixed feelings about getting out, but this really helps.”

As well as stands containing information, there were eight presentations delivered during the day by different companies.

Cpl Bev Southan from 24 Regt RLC said: “I’m still not a hundred per cent sure what I’m going to do, but I’ve got ideas from today.  The gas and plumbing presentation will be useful to me.”

Mandie Graham the day’s organiser and Information Resources Coordinator with CTP (Career Transition Partnership) said: “Although not as many Forces personnel attended as we’d hoped, all the industry representatives are happy they’ve come and have had a good day.”

Paul Mason, Business Director of Crownship, said: “I have companies that will always ask for a military leaver over civvies because of their skills and reliability.”