BFRS bringing veterans' skills into civilian life
“Eighty per cent of exhibitors at our events have experience of life in the Armed Forces so can relate to people having been in their position."
A Social Enterprise based at the Centenary Business Centre, Nuneaton, is supplying a crucial bridge for veterans to cross from service in the armed forces to work in civilian life.
From its home at the Warwickshire County Council-run centre, British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS) works in support of the Armed Forces Community (AFC). Their primarily social objective is to work as the focal point between the AFC and commercial businesses, helping the AFC to engage face-to-face and digitally with companies across the UK, to ensure the right help, support, and advice is provided when moving into future careers.
“Those considering leaving the Armed Forces, those in transition to civvy street, veterans, reservists and military families are very welcome,” said James Graham BFRS General Manager and veteran. “It’s about providing networking opportunities and making people comfortable about the transition process, bridging the gap between the Armed Forces Community and businesses that are keen to offer employment and training opportunities. As well as running career fairs we have a website www.bfrs.org.uk that provides that online connection to Armed Forces friendly businesses. On this platform you can search by sector or business, upload your CV, book onto events and read success stories.”
From their Nuneaton base, BFRS operates on a national basis, holding careers fairs and workshops across the country to allow face to face networking opportunities. They show members of the Armed Forces Community – service personnel, reservists, veterans and military families – the opportunities that exist while enabling employers to understand the range of skills that former Armed Forces personnel can bring to businesses.
“At each event we explore the skills needed to get into employment,” said James Graham. “For example, we hold CV workshops - in the military you will probably never have to create a CV until you leave. We offer coaching through that transition with support from businesses that are Armed Forces friendly.
“Eighty per cent of exhibitors at our events have experience of life in the Armed Forces so can relate to people having been in their position. As a veteran they can say, ‘this is what I did’ and that is so important because it help them navigate the transition. The careers fairs are quite an eye-opening experience for the Armed Forces Community because, they often don’t realise the options available to them and how sought after they are”
“It’s a question of understanding how their military skills can translate into a civilian role. For example, if someone’s been in the Royal Logistics Corps and have experience in operations, stock control, stock movement and driving we can direct them towards the relevant civilian employers. We work with businesses from all sectors even those in the design and manufacturing of drones.”
In Warwickshire, BFRS is working with Warwickshire Skills Hub whose Business Skills Support Advisor, Heather Docksey, said: “The Skills Hub is proud to work with BFRS and the great work they do to make sure that the many skills that veterans have match up to the needs of employers. We have attended jobs fairs in Kineton and Nuneaton and have a veteran contact point at Nuneaton.
"Former service personnel are very much part of the Fair Chance Employment programme and its Jobs Portal for Warwickshire. The Armed Forces Veteran community is one of our priority groups.
“It’s clear from our conversations with employers within Warwickshire that they are really keen to talk to veterans and the armed forced community because they know the skills they have and that is something we want to build on.”