Abstract: The 2022-23 annual report sets out a summary of the achievements of the Surrey Civilian-Military Partnership Board (SCMPB) and its partners during the year to ensure the Armed Forces Covenant is implemented and our Armed Forces community are not disadvantaged by their service. Partners on the SCMPB include 11 Security Force Assistance Brigade and HQ SE, the Lord-Lieutenant, South East Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (SERFCA), Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, borough and district councils, Surrey Police, Surrey Fire and Rescue, Service Charities, Diocese of Guildford and our partners in health, education and business. November 2022 saw the Armed Forces Act 2021 become enacted and a key focus of the year has been to ensure all public bodies in scope of the Act were aware of the new duty of 'due regard' in relation to education, health and housing provision.
Abstract: Research with a small cohort of ex-Service personnel at Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (SBMC) – part of Royal British Legion Industries – has trialled and evaluated a progressive employment training scheme. The project embedded a training manager within SBMC and observed the experiences of ten ex-Service personnel trained over an 18-month period. The research was conducted by Glasgow Caledonian University and funded by Forces in Mind Trust. The training broke down several barriers to work readiness for the ex-Service personnel who took part in the programme. For example, many reported that the military qualifications they had gained during their time in the Armed Forces were not recognised as transferable to civilian employment. However, through embedding a training manager, who implemented a range of accredited qualifications, they felt that their skills were validated and recognised and it prepared them for further employment through learning new skills. Whilst providing the tangible benefit of attaining civilian qualifications, this also helped the ex-Service personnel gain confidence in the workplace, knowing that they had qualifications that could be used outside the military should they wish to seek other employment. All of the participants of the study were on fixed-term contracts at the beginning of the project, with 8 of the 10 joining SBMC on a permanent basis by its conclusion. SBMC’s Progressive Employment Training Programme has continued to train veterans to work at their factory in Erskine, Renfrewshire.