Course reports launched to help employers better understand value of Armed Forces training to their business
The transferable skills and experience that Reservists gain from military training would cost an average of over £8,000 a year for their civilian employers to buy, according to new research released today (13 July 2010). Leadership, management, team-working and communication skills are some of the key qualities developed through the training.
The research, commissioned by SaBRE (Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers) was carried out by education accreditation specialists in liaison with military training establishments. Courses were assessed for their transferable content and benchmarked against the National Qualification Framework (NQF) for qualification levels. Download the research overview (.pdf 203 KB).
As a result, the researchers concluded that on average an Infantry soldier* in the Territorial Army receives training worth just over £7,000 a year to their civilian employer. For an Infantry Officer** the figure is around £11,000. The findings are endorsed by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
The experience gained from a period of mobilisation, including pre-deployment training, is worth around £8,300 for a Private, £14,600 for a Sergeant and £18,400 for an Officer.
Reservists develop key transferable skills through their training and often take on greater responsibility earlier on in their military career. I would encourage employers who employ a Reservist to take time to find out more about the training they undertake to ensure that their organisation is making the most of the extra skills they bring to the workplace.”
Tim Corry, SaBRE Campaign Director
Learning to manage a team, whether in a company or during a military exercise, still requires many of the same key skills and abilities to be developed. This research shows that Reservists gain a wealth of experience in many widely-relevant core skills that employers can benefit from.”
Narinder Uppal, Head of CMI'S Awarding Body
In conducting the research we found that many common courses contain significant elements that are directly transferable to the civilian workplace. Training may be undertaken in military uniform but the team-working, leadership and communication skills developed are equally applicable to the office or factory floor.”
Lead Researcher Jacqui Fairbrass MA MDA BEd psc(j) MCMI of Trafalgar Personal Development Ltd
How the military training can be translated into the workplace
TA officer training
Skills developed include ability to plan, organise and deliver delegated tasks, train more junior colleagues and to motivate others. Also, an ability to use resources to carry out tasks, operating with or without supervision. This course is accredited by the CMI and successful students can gain a Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership.
Movement Controller Course
Qualities developed include ability to develop detailed documentation which has to follow strict procedures and be highly accurate. Also, an ability to communicate appropriately to all regardless of status. TA Movement Operators can also gain civilian recognised hazardous material (HAZMAT) and International Air Transportation Authority (IATA) Movement of Dangerous Goods qualifications, as well as their Category C driving licence.
Course Guides
Alongside the research, a series of 17 guides have been launched based on common Territorial Army training courses. The guides are designed to help civilian employers better understand the training their Reservists undertake and the skills they can benefit from. Reports covering the two week “annual camp” training and the series of basic annual training courses carried out by Territorial Army soldiers are also available.
* An Infantry solider is a member of the Army specifically trained to perform a close combat role
** An Infantry Officer commands, leads and manages groups of soldiers