Inspiring Veterans and Creating Career-paths
FOR THE VETERAN OR SERVICE-LEAVER
You are interested in working outdoors. You probably hate the idea of sitting in an office all day. But you want a new career with prospects and a decent income. You might think you don't have any relevant experience but you'll be surprised at just how broad this sector is and what a range of opportunities exist.
One way of finding out more is to attend The Rural List Online networking event on the second Thursday of every month. This provides an ideal opportunity to talk to employers, educators and veterans about the opportunities which exist and how to prepare for them.
We will soon host an information hub including links on these pages. We area also developing a series of gateway short courses, with various expert partners, which will enable you to get the basic information, experience and confidence you need to then land your first job in the sector. In the meantime, drop us an email and we will try and help.
We are also keen to host resettling personnel for a civilian work attachment (CWA). Please get in touch to scope opportunities.
WE DO NOT CHARGE RESETTLING PERSONNEL FOR OUR SERVICES.
FOR THE EMPLOYER
You know that veterans generally are great team-players, hard workers, reliable, loyal, quick learners and physically robust. But you are not sure how their experience is relevant to your business.
We can advise you on targeted recruitment, skills mapping, interpreting CVs and even support you and your new veteran employee through the early stages of their employment. Our support will be a great investment as, once appointed to the right position, your veteran employee is likely to have a significant positive impact on productivity.
FOR THE EDUCATION OR TRAINING PROVIDER
Recent research has confirmed that veterans find it very difficult to access information about agriculture and land-based jobs, careers and education/training. It's simply a blind spot in the transition system. So, it's not surprising that take up of your courses by ex-service personnel is low.
We will support you in accessing the thousands of veterans who flow out of the forces every year and help you make your offerings accessible and attractive to them. We are particularly keen to work with training providers who wish to partner with employers to provide Gateway jobs for veterans and develop pathways into long-term careers.
We can also help you sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant.
please help with research project
Effective leadership, management and development
Claire Toogood is a lecturer at Harper Adams University.
She is currently undertaking highly relevant research. If you are considering moving into farming or the wider sector, please take a few moments to complete the survey.
Claire writes:
I am currently working on a research project, funded by the Farmers Club, on “Effective leadership, management and development: supporting new entrants from non-agricultural backgrounds”. I am looking for a range of people from non-agricultural backgrounds to complete a survey, and want to capture a broad range of experience. This includes career changers moving into agriculture, first generation farmers, current agricultural students etc.
The results of this research will be shared widely with institutions, training providers and businesses, to provide resources that can be used across the sector, helping to develop the people management and leadership skills in agriculture and agri-food, with a specific focus on supporting diversity in the sector, and those from previously non-agricultural backgrounds.
The link to the survey is here https://harper-adams.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/aearesearch .
Thank you.
RESETTLING FROM HOME - YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
I can help - An offer of support from Fiona
Many resettling personnel are concerned that resettling during the Coronovirus pandemic period, including in the face of a long period potentially in isolation at home, is going to derail their resettlement plan.
I would like to help.
The bottom line is that you will need to do resettlement a bit differently this year and the usual advice may not fit very well. You will be able to attend fewer events and courses and you may need to take part in online events which may be a new experience. So it has never been more important to think clearly and thoroughly understand your personal situation and priorities.
If you are a resettling service-person and would like to access some free support, please contact me and we can set up a totally free, no-strings-attached video call.
Or just Zoom me now ...
FAQs
Why are you doing this?
I am self-employed and can choose how to use my time. I benefited from the kindness of the community during my resettlement and now have the opportunity to support others in my turn.
Is it really free?
Yes.
What relevant experience do you have?
I wasn't in isolation for my resettlement, but I was on exchange as the only UK service-person in my location for my resettlement so some of the strategies I learnt can help. In the last four years I have provided free one-to-one coaching and career change support to nearly 100 personnel of all ranks and cap-badges. I am also a SSAFA mentor.
Are you a qualified coach?
Yes. I hold a post-graduate certificate in coaching from Henley Business School, University of Reading, a very respected awarding body.
RESETTLEMENT EXERCISES
What is this?
These Resettlement Exercises are a simple way to help you focus on a particular aspect of your resettlement planning. If you know you should be planning but would like a framework to help you, this series is for you.
Periodically we will publish a new exercise to help you progress through your personal estimate and develop your personal resettlement plan.
My Resettlement Timeline
Identify key dates, set goals and plan your resettlement activity in good time.
Elevator Pitch Builder
How to engage new contacts instantly with an effective personal pitch.
Networking (Coming soon)
Why and how?
Business cards
Using LinkedIn
Knowing myself (Coming soon)
A self-analysis tool to help get to the heart of what makes you "tick" and therefore what type of employment you should be seeking.
FAQs
Why are you publishing these?
Most service personnel in resettlement intend to plan but a majority find it difficult to know how to approach it. Some are overwhelmed by the challenge, some are very busy, others just need a framework to help them get started. What is clear is that those who manage to plan, with very few exceptions, get a more positive resettlement experience.
I believe every service person is capable of making a positive contribution in their second career. This is my way of helping.
Who should do these exercises?
Any member of HM Forces who is approaching the end of their service will benefit from spending a few minutes each month on these exercises.
Others considering changing careers may find some of the content useful too. although they are specifically aimed at the service community.
How can I get more?
A comprehensive manual for personnel entering resettlement will be available soon. Watch this space!
Can I download and keep them?
Yes, of course, but as I will update them based on user feedback, you might want to check back for updates or buy the manual, which will be available from this website soon.
Feedback
These exercises will soon be available as a personalised manual. We are offering a FREE copy of the pilot version to any-one whose feedback on these exercises we incorporate into the manual. So do please provide your ideas below.