Coinciding with Armed Forces Week, the Skills Launchpad Plymouth team have hosted their first military employment showcase event onsite in the Royal Marines Stonehouse Barracks.
Working in partnership across Plymouth City Council, Career Transition Partnership (CTP), and The Forces Employment Charity, with support from Plymouth’s Armed Forces Covenant, the event helped connect over 80 serving members of HM Armed Forces, veterans and their families with local employment opportunities.
Cllr Sally Cresswell, Cabinet member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships said:
“Skills and jobs are a key priority for Plymouth, we recognise that the high-level transferrable skills of members of HM Armed Forces as they career transition from the services can provide fantastic solutions for our local employers who are seeking to grow their skilled workforce.”
Opening the event, The Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Cllr Mark Shayer said:
“I am so inspired to see this city-wide collaboration working together to encourage and better support the career transition of these high calibre, well trained and motivated military service leavers to take full advantage of the breadth of career opportunities available locally in civvy street. With our drive to make Plymouth the “most Veterans Friendly City” this employment showcase event is another important piece in the puzzle as we recognise the contribution these model citizens and potential future employees can make by attracting them to stay in Plymouth!”
With the skills shortages challenging across the city’s key sectors, 20 locally recruiting employers including Livewell Southwest, Plymouth Citybus, Kier BAM, Plymouth City Council, EE, Plymouth Community Homes, Drake’s Circus and Barden Corporation were keen to promote their extensive career opportunities.
Wayne Chinnock, HR Engagement Business Partners from Princess Yachts said:
“The event has been really good as we have been exposed to lots of people and skills that could fill our skills gaps, a great way to tap into skilled individuals coming out of the military.”
Darryl Newman, Armed Forces Champion representing University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust said:
“Today has been a great opportunity for our organisation to engage with the Armed Forces community, recognising their transferrable skills and also to share knowledge as a former serviceman myself.”
Attending the event, Major A C Webb said:
“A massively beneficial afternoon with invaluable advice for my last year of Service. Who knew so many job opportunities existed within Plymouth!?!”
Alongside recruiting employers, the line-up of inspiring veteran guest speakers included Steve Piper, Assistant Build Manager from Willmott Dixon who shared his personal experience transitioning after a medical discharge from the Royal Marines to join the construction industry, Steve said:
“Five years ago I stood the other side of this table at a careers event panicking about what was going to happen next. These events are so valuable in sharing information, showing support and feedback to help guide others.”
Other guest speakers included Emma Hewitt, Skills Lead at Plymouth City Council, Mitch Turner from MLT Recruitment and Paul Montgomery from Sir Fix-a-lock.
The Skills Launchpad Plymouth team will out in force again at this Saturday’s Armed Forces Day on Plymouth Hoe. To find out more about local opportunities, everyone is welcome to drop by their gazebo which will be located behind the Royal Navy War Memorial.
Anyone in Plymouth who has served in HM Armed Forces, is planning their career transition, or have family members needing support are invited to sign up to become a member of Skills Launchpad Plymouth at www.skillslaunchpadplym.co.uk or drop in to Barclays, Armada Way on a Tuesday between 10.00am and 4.00pm for face-to-face support.