Security Apprenticeships for the Army
Key benefits
- Over 100 Apprentices completed the programme
- In addition, over 100 achieved Providing Security Services NVQ
- Flexible and tailored programme
- Investment and development of existing skills
- Ongoing programme, adapted around employer routine
Background
Military equipment is evolving at a fast rate and so the technical understanding and individual capability of
infantry soldiers must also be developed to keep pace. The employer finds it extremely challenging to find time between operational deployments to maintain and develop the essential skills of the soldiers. Detailed planning and high levels of commitment are characteristics of the military ethos and so it was agreed that, despite these pressures, in a period of just 12 months, 200 soldiers of the Royal Scots Borderers 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS) would be offered the opportunity to complete the Security Apprenticeship programme. Within the Security Apprenticeship, Key Skills are an important factor in the promotion opportunities for individual soldiers and they also significantly affect the operational capability of the unit. Consequently, it was critical that all training opportunities were maximised to ensure the highest success rates possible. An additional challenge that PDM faced was that soldiers were liable to be deployed on operational tours at short notice. Provision also had to be made to allow new arrivals to the Battalion the same opportunity to participate.
PDM discussed the programme fully with the military employer, and windows of opportunity were identified that would allow the time and resources to deliver each element of the Apprenticeship. Because PDM tutors are field based the programme could be delivered at the employer’s main premises and also at a variety of other locations around the country. PDM supplies all the necessary resources including mobile laptop networks to facilitate the complete programme and on-demand assessment.
Outcome
The commitment and support of the Unit Chain of Command (the employer) has ensured that over 100 soldiers have achieved their Apprenticeships to date. In addition to this, over 100 soldiers have also achieved the Level 2 NVQ in Providing Security Services.
Through participating on the programme soldiers have gained valuable skills that will assist them in their current and future career roles. The British Army and 1 SCOTS in particular recognise that by improving the basic skill levels of individual soldiers they improve their operational effectiveness and, in doing so, also improve the capability of the whole organisation. Apprenticeships are now an integral element of the Infantry and 1 SCOTS Work Based Learning agenda.
“PDM have responded to each and every request presented by 1 SCOTS without fault, and usually on the same day. Professionalism and approachability are two words that I strongly associate with PDM employees. They have met the Battalion’s needs, proving to be flexible and adaptable without fail.
They have repeatedly gone beyond expectations, engaging with the chain of command to fit the needs of individual soldiers and provide workable solutions during extremely busy periods."
Captain ‘Jimmy’ Pearson, Regimental Careers Management Officer