Explaining your course to your employer
The Territorial Army Officers’ Course is conducted over 80 days including three weeks at the world famous Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
There is a strict selection procedure. Officers in the TA need to demonstrate that they have developed the leadership abilities and professional skills needed to lead and manage a team of soldiers – if necessary in extremely demanding conditions such as in Afghanistan. Even a junior officer will typically be responsible for a team of 20 to 30 soldiers. There is great emphasis on the student preparing for the responsibility of leading a team of soldiers (many of whom will be older and have more military experience) and where the consequences of an error of judgement could result in injury or death.
The training is designed for people who are highly competent, motivated and fit. It is extremely demanding, both physically and mentally, and can take up to two years to complete. It involves continuous assessment and each stage must be passed before a student can progress to the next one.
What does the training involve?
Basic military skills with an officer focus
- Leadership and management skills with practical application
- Character building, leadership and management skills in arduous and testing conditions
- Intellectual development through the study of War Studies and International Affairs
- Administration and career management of soldiers
- Writing military communications
What would it cost?
According to research endorsed by the Chartered Management Institute, if your employer were to pay for training to deliver equivalent employee development it would cost them in the order of £22,000. This only relates to the skills that would be relevant to a civilian workplace - areas such as leadership and management skills.
How does it benefit your employer?
To become an officer in the TA an individual is required to demonstrate the following, all of which have direct relevance within the civilian workplace:
- Core values and standards (selfless commitment, respect for others, loyalty, integrity, discipline, courage, high standards of personal presentation)
- Leadership (ability to inspire, motivate, make decisions, enable others to act and succeed)
- Management (ability to operate with or without supervision, organise, control, support, evaluate, inform, train team members)
- Planning (organise and deliver delegated tasks, use resources effectively)
- Teamwork (interaction, awareness of others, contribution to team spirit)
- Making an impact (determination, influence, involve, use initiative, confidence)
- Effective communication (verbal and written)
- Professional competence (military skills and physical ability)
- Effective intelligence (understanding of tasks, lateral thinking, analysis, probing questions, application of common sense)
- Reaction to stress (ability to think and act effectively under pressure, self discipline)
- The decision making, management and leadership aspects of this course are easily mapped against existing civilian qualifications. This course is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute and successful students can gain a Level 5 Certificate in Management & Leadership.
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