it looks like the time has come for me to leave the Army. I have gained loads of skills (welding, metal work, general engineering ETC) I'm not scared of hard manual work and would prefer that to a office type job.
i have certificates (city and guilds) as a class 2 shipwright/metal vessel construction and other NVQ's (English, maths and I.T.) I have been in the army for 5-6 years now and had a real good time.
i would love to join the police force but there are no openings ATM in my area (met, city of London, Surrey, Kent).
Any advice would be appreciated. Shaun
Renewables sector? Set up on your own as a domestic installer?
offshore in the oil industry.
Dont the army help you with this?
https://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspx
Offshore - lots of MOD types with a handful of free tickets. Fair play.
What do *you* actually want to do as a job?
el Gato Negro - MemberOffshore - lots of MOD types with a handful of free tickets. Fair play.
Nowhere as easy to get into as everybody thinks. Trust me!
How about some pics to help us decide ??
Security guard at Asda - it the law isn't it?
We (british gas) are recruiting trainee domestic boiler installers in these areas I think.
I've worked with plenty of ex forces guys offshore. Good blokes in general, but many of them useless. Victims of the ticket handout without exp.
Mac - I'm aware that MOD doesn't guarantee a job or a foot in the door. However, it allows guys to get a start on the ladder in terms of gaining the required tickets Huet/ Med/trade certs. It saves cash and time, which can work in your favour when competing for employment on or offshore.
good luck to the OP
oneoneoneone - make use of the resettlement service, I had a full grant (as I'd done 18yrs) where as you'll have less however a good resettlement clerk can make it go a very long way (I had £5k which I used to buy £9k worth of courses, accom etc as the clerk knew all the shortcuts and freebies). Get you head into the resettlement books now (pathfinder etc) and get a taste for what's on offer, I went to 2 resettlement fairs, Catterick and Aldershot, which are free and I milked the salesmen (because that's what they are) for all sorts of knowledge; the end result of which is that I headed in a direction I'd not previously considered and it all seems to be going very well so far.
Leaving the Military is a major change and you have to manage it proactively, no one else will be half as interested in your future as you are so take it seriously and get all you're entitled to, you'll only regret it later if you half arse it because once you're out the resettlement funding line is closed to you.
It's a major opportunity you have in front of you and if you do it right it will pay dividends.
Incidentally if you're ex RE I have a Proj starting in the SW in Mar (very close to a popular surfing area!) where I need SC cleared welder/fabs if you fancy relocating
Jobsite always seem to have vacancies for coded welders, at least here in the Midlands. So you may find a job in the engineering sector. How easy I don't know. It's not my line of work. I am now on month 14 of unemployment even though there appear to be plenty of jobs (I've applied for about 1000 in the areas I feel my skills would fit). Take any help practical or financial that you can get from the MoD.
RB, my nephew has left the engineers this year and joined British Gas and I believe the SUN is sponsoring ex service men. Plumbing / gas fitting is not a bad trade to get into and you will be out and about rather than stuck in an office.
Thanks for all your advice guys.
im now in the process of weighing it all up.
i am very temped to keep my head down stay out the way for 6 years for my half pension. Possibly even look at transferring to the Military Police.
Thanks shaun
I guess if you're considering a rebadge then you haven't signed off yet?
Leaving is tough at the best of times but leaving now in this economic climate is going to be tougher than ever. The usual channels; police, fire and rescue, ambulance service, etc are all shut due to the public sector recruitment freeze. The upshot is that all those ex-mob that would get absorbed there are also looking for regular generic semi skilled manual work like what you're after.
If you are RE and search trained then there's heaps of work coming up with 2012, but I'd be wary about it drying up after the event, but you'll earn a heap to top up your training or pop yourself into uni.
Nothing wrong with office work though; you're not getting shot at and you're not likely to drown.
Im REME. I havent signed off yet. Im currently on leave till mid march as i have all my annual leave plus 15 from last year 26 days potl and 10 days relocation.
it has got me thinking that im not happy where i am but i do have some great times. I miss my family/mates/civi street. would i be happier as a civi? or am i feeling like this as i have loads of time on my hands? i work at 17 P+M and after the SDSR the port has been put up for sale and my job may possibly under threat.
im not rushing into any thing i just wanted to know my options and if it was a wise move ATM in the current climate.
Would be a bad time to get into engineering, its always hit hard in a recession. I was a welder/fabricator for 10 years (had to give it up as I got white finger) and I wouldn't recommended it to anybody as a trade. I guess it would be ok as a stop gap but long term it's just to hard on your health. If you look at the old guys who have being doing it all their life they all have bad eyes and hearing, you also risk serious lung problems. Would you still want to be doing it at 65?
A company I worked for supplied parts for the avonmouth bridge re-fit a few years ago and all the original welders on that job went down with lung problems caused by the paint. Even on the new stuff if it's manufactured outside the uk you don't know whats in the stuff as there aren't many health and safety laws in india, china etc.
Moneys not great either, I was offered a job recently for £10 p/h which doesn't seem to bad until you compare it to other trades such as sparkies, air-con guys (mates getting £35 p/h, paye, flat rate!) etc.
http://www.vso.org.uk/volunteer/volunteer-placements/engineering-technical/vocational-trainers.asp
"Vocational trainer roles
If you are an experienced welder, electrical or mechanic engineer with experience of training and teaching, you can help to improve the quality of vocational training in developing countries.
You could be teaching mechanics in an all girls’ college in Nigeria, providing the students with a practical skill that will enable them to find work. Or, providing on the job advice to your colleagues, you’ll maintain and improve the standard of electrical and electronic equipment in a hospital in Malawi.
Experience required
Using your two years’ experience of metalwork, you’ll provide vital training in welding, metalwork and blacksmithing to students in Zambia. Roles are generally longer term, ranging from one to two years, and we also have occasional short term assignments for up to six months. For short term roles, you will need at least five years' experience in your field and be available to depart within one year."
Shaun
Have you had a look at the Operational Pinch Point Trades page on [url= https://www.armynet.mod.uk/club/navigate2.php?pageID=77564 ]ArmyNET[/url]?
In terms of a change of direction there might be something listed on there that could be of interest. Have a look and then have a chat you your RCMO.
PM me if you having dramas logging back in to ArmyNET if you haven't been on there for a while.
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🙂 All the best oneoneoneone... from someone who's still 'living the dream'.
Into De Void. I cant see you email in your profile any chance you could email me??
Still undecided on what to do.
Farming; people will always need food.
Farming Today on BBC4 last Saturday 15 Jan
http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/farming
I dont think i want to be a farmer. i have been looking at the emergency services but there not recruiting at the moment!!
i have filled out the application for the CNC
