Ministry of Defence
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MoD resettlement package praised by independent report
In a report published today, the National Audit Office has praised the Ministry of Defence for the resettlement support given to those leaving the Armed Forces.
The independent report, 'Leaving the Services', looked at the wide range of support given to personnel to help them return to civilian life. The report said the MoD is at the forefront of best international practice in providing tailored, professional resettlement help and found the services were of good quality, particularly in respect of preparing service leavers for new careers. The report showed that 94% of service leavers seeking employment through the Career Transition Programme (CTP) found work within six months.
All service personnel receive some resettlement help. The extent of help given is determined by time served regardless of rank, and those who are medically discharged are entitled to the highest level of support available regardless of their length of service.
The report acknowledged that most people adapt to civilian life easily and comfortably. A small minority, however, have a more difficult time finding employment, housing or making the social transition. The report acknowledges the work the MOD is doing to provide further support for those that need it and its recommendations will help improve the support currently available from the MoD.
The NAO report also noted that the percentage of London's homeless population who have served in the Armed Forces 'reduced significantly' from an estimated 25% in 1999 to approximately 6% in 2006. This reduction followed work by both the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Under-Secretary of State for Defence, Derek Twigg, said:
"I am delighted that the National Audit Office has recognised the excellent resettlement package provided for service leavers. The MoD goes to huge lengths to make the transition to civilian life as smooth and as stress free as possible."
"Our personnel gain many valuable transferable skills during their time in the Armed Forces, and the resettlement package helps them capitalise on these in securing employment after discharge. I think the success statistics speak for themselves. That said, we are not complacent. We are constantly seeking to improve the support for those leaving the Armed Forces. The comments by the NAO are very constructive and we are in the process of considering their recommendations."
Notes to Editors
1. Copies of the report 'Leaving the Services' are available from the NAO website http://www.nao.org.uk. Hard copies can be obtained from The Stationery Office via 0845 702 3474
2. Resettlement information and advice is delivered in three tiers. The first two tiers of information and advice are provided by the single services and are available to anyone at any point in their military career. The third tier is delivered by Career Transition Partnership (CTP), a private/ public partnership between the MOD and Right Management Ltd, a specialist civilian outplacement company.
3. The Career Transition Programme provides dedicated one-to-one employment and career consultancy, access to vocational resettlement training with funding support, a job finding service, assistance in CV preparation and job interview technique, and briefings on post-discharge practical life support matters.
4. Three case studies of service leavers who have benefited from the MoD Resettlement programme are attached below with accompanying pictures.
5. For more information visit the website http://www.mod.uk
Anna Jordan, 32, Personal Assistant from London.
Lieutenant Anna Jordan left her role as a Warfare Officer in the Royal Navy in July 2006 after 13 years of service.
Anna attended a Career Transition Workshop which helped her to find her current job through the Right Job careers website. Anna works as a Personal Assistant to HRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. Her office runs the day to day diary for HRH The Prince of Wales.
Anna said:
"The advice provided by the CTW was invaluable in pulling together a CV which was going to interest a civilian employer. The interview skills were also very useful as were all the handouts so that you could look back at a later date and revisit the information given.
"Another thing that really impressed me was the number of organisations that exist to help service leavers into employment. The Career Transition Workshop really made me realise that there is a tremendous amount of support about and support that lasts well beyond your first job which is invaluable.
"Probably one of the other important skills that the CTP gives you is an understanding of how to sell yourself to a potential employer as it is not something that many service personnel will ever have had to do whilst in the military."
Rick Fowler, 42, a self-employed plumber and electrician from Salisbury.
Rick left the Army as a Warrant Officer Class 1 in June 2005 after 24 years of service. In his Army career Rick was based at Larkhill Garrison as a master gunner in the Royal Artillery. He had a clear idea that he wanted to work for himself and utilise his DIY skills. The Career Transition Partnership offered Rick help and advice in making the first steps in his new career.
Rick said:
"I would recommend the resettlement training to anyone. I went to some workshops and I saw a lot of people get real benefit from them. I knew what I wanted to do but I think for people that haven't given much thought to their time after the Army the resettlement workshops really make a difference."
John McDavitt, 43, from Elgin, Deputy Clinical Dental Manager for NHS Highland.
Wing Commander McDavitt left the RAF in November last year after a 16-year career serving as a military dentist. Through the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) he was able to line up a managerial role with the Highland NHS five months before leaving the RAF.
John said:
"The CTP was absolutely fantastic. It certainly helped me to find the right job. I attended a Career Transition Workshop which was really useful in helping me brush up on my interview technique and fired me up to proactively look for the right post. I'd also recommend the Finance Briefing to everyone."
"The CTP is excellent in reminding ex-service people that we are highly skilled - I wouldn't have got this post without the additional qualifications the Defence Dental Services helped me obtain - and these skills are sought after in the outside world. CTP helps you to focus on your next career and I think most people come away with a lot of useful information."
