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Inside a factory

Arming veterans with the right job skills

The Manchester College have partnered with Walking with the Wounded and RFEA The Forces Employment Charity, to give ex-service personnel the training they need to get a foot on the job ladder.

The ‘Forces Changing Courses’ programme, funded by the ScottishPower Foundation, will give ex-service personnel the skills and knowledge required to start a career in the construction industry. The industry traineeship will provide veterans with the opportunity to gain confidence and the skills that employers are looking for in the sector.

Chris Wright, Assistant Principal at The Manchester College, said: “The course is a great opportunity for people who have left the armed forces and are looking for work, to get the training and support they need to help them find jobs within the construction industry. The construction industry is currently seeing a skills shortage so this is a perfect opportunity for people to boost their employability by gaining the right skills for the jobs that are available right now.”

construction industry is currently seeing a skills shortage

The funding from the ScottishPower Foundation has allowed The Manchester College to run the course exclusively to ex-service personnel who are over 24 years of age and out of work. To provide direct support to those who are experiencing physical or mental disabilities, half of the places will be offered to those service leavers.

Ann Loughrey, Trustee and Executive Officer, ScottishPower Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to be funding the Forces Changing Courses, delivered by The Manchester College in partnership with Walking with the Wounded and the RFEA. The project will give ex-service personnel additional transferable skills which will assist their future employability. ScottishPower Foundation is delighted to be supporting a project that will improve the quality of life and removing barriers to employment of service leavers.”

improve the quality of life and removing barriers to employment

The 12 week course will be a mix of college based learning and on the job work placements with local companies.