Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Andy Lee explains the benefits of volunteering as a core element of a resettlement plan which include:
- Real, documented experience
- An invaluable network which may lead directly to paid employment
- Considerable investment in relevant qualifications
He also offers suggestions for start-points - where can you get a valuable volunteering role?
Recorded for and first played at Rural Careers Insight Day on 19 May 2020. (Run-time: 9.20mins)
Why work experience?
Gaining in-sector work experience immeasurably strengthens a resettlement campaign.
Successful ex-military working across the land-based sector report that they incorporated work experience and in many cases undertook it instead of courses and qualifications.
Many opportunities are linked to potential longer-term paid employment whereas others are simply an opportunity for the resettling individual to immerse themselves in the target sector and learn. It’s a bit of “try before you buy” for both parties: better to do a short period of work experience and find out that it’s not for you or to spot a slightly different role than buy a house, take a permanent job and then find out it really is not for you!
Ruralink enables work experience directly and, if we do not currently offer what you are looking for, will endeavour to introduce you to some-one who can. In some cases, it may be possible for couples to undertake the work experience together.
How to get work experience?
The MOD/CTP has long supported “Civilian Work Attachments” (CWAs) but largely left it to individuals to organise them for themselves. Historically there has been a poor take up and Ruralink is keen to help individuals find such experiences. We have therefore spent recent months developing a network of like-minded recruiters, diversified farming businesses and other key partners to be able to offer work experience in a range of rural businesses. All you need to do to kick off the process is get in touch.
Opportunities now live
The following opportunities are available now with more being added regularly. In most cases the time commitment is a guide based on how long it will take to truly benefit from the experience but there is considerable flexibility in how this is achieved.
- Diversified Beef Farm with tourism – Dunbartonshire – 2-3 week block negotiable
- Conservation Management – Gloucestershire & Home-based – very flexible commitment
- Mixed livestock farming – Staffordshire – 1 week block negotiable
- Mixed livestock farming - Devon - 1 week to 3 months negotiable
- Forestry management - Devon - very flexible commitment
- Cereals processing and quality testing – Gloucestershire – 1 day with potential for more
- Land-management nationally - 1 week block negotiable
- Fruit farming - Kent - 2 weeks March - October
If you are interested in any of these CWAs or want to discuss a different opportunity, please contact info@ruralink.org.uk
What happens next?
Ruralink will interview potential CWA candidates to agree objectives, dates, including line management approval.
Ruralink will then contact the potential host to confirm availability and suitability.
Ruralink will make an introduction.
Individuals and the host business will then talk directly by phone or video-call.
Ruralink will either arrange or support the arrangement of transport and accommodation.
Host business and Individual confirm to Ruralink they wish to go ahead.
Ruralink manages paperwork on behalf of both parties, including advising individual on how to claim travel and subsistence costs from MOD.
CWA takes place.
Both parties complete a very short on-line questionnaire to provide feedback on the process.
Individual and host business liaise directly for future references etc.
Volunteering can offer a way to gain experience and build a rich network. Here are a few ideas. Others are available on the career pages.
In partnership with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation Ecology Team, Op KINGFISHER organises bespoke resettlement experience days for service-leavers on the MOD training estate and with other partners. Events qualify for GRT etc.
Register your interest: volunteering@ruralink.org.uk
This will ideally suit an individual serving their resettlement period based on or near Salisbury Plain.
Op KINGFISHER is a partnership between Ruralink, DIO and The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust which delivers bespoke training and experience days to resettling personnel interested in a follow-on career in environmental conservation.
Because these experiences are offered totally free of charge, we rely on volunteers to help coordinate them.
Benefits to you:
Quality in-sector work experience which looks good on your CV
Access to a rich network of conservation professionals
Opportunity to shape and develop opportunities which support your resettlement goals
Great days out in the field with fellow resettling personnel and veterans
If you are interested please get in touch via either:
A brief online search for the area in which you intend to resettle will produce several groups with whom to volunteer, often with expenses paid and gain skills and experience - and a network - which will help you find professional opportunities and give you invaluable content for your CV and experiences and knowledge to set you up for a confident interview.
This page from the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) will give you an idea of what you should be looking for.
Every Tuesday and Wednesday a group of volunteers, led by a professional, undertake water conservation projects in Gloucestershire, often using traditional techniques. If you would like to gain some experience of coppicing, faggoting, dry stone walling, river-bank improvements, dew pond management and much, much more, get in touch. fiona@ruralink.org.uk
(Paused during Covid-19 period; restart date will be published once known.)
The Farmers Wildlife Advisory Group - South West (FWAG-SW) is a real friend to the military community. FWAG understands that your CV needs to have experience built in and will try and give you the roles you need to work towards the qualifications and roles you want to gain.
They routinely host resettling personnel on work experience or in their volunteer programmes at the skills level or in supervisory roles (once sufficient experience has been gained).
This opportunity is compatible with GRT.
If you want to know more, please contact Fiona directly: fiona@ruralink.org.uk
Copyright © 2019-2023 Rural and Remote Apprentices Link Ltd - All Rights Reserved.