MoD covenant with training firm aimed at equipping those leaving the forces with IT skills for civilian workforce
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has taken a step to boost digital skills among the spouses of military personnel, service people who are leaving and veterans, reservists and cadets.
It has agreed on an Armed Forces Covenant with technology training company QA to support 1,000 people as part of the AWS: re:Start programme – backed by Amazon Web Services – and to promote technology apprenticeships among cadets. It will also provide training through other groups such as the armed forces’ families federations.
The move has been promoted as part of the effort to increase digital skills in the UK economy and to support ex-service people and their spouses in joining the civilian workforce.
QA, which provides training to public sector organisations and FTSE 250 companies, said it will offer free and subsidised bespoke training packages that take in work placement positions and employability skills.
The company said it has identified significant potential in people who are serving or have served in the armed forces, and aims to support them in getting into roles such as junior network engineer, software developer and in IT support.
Hugely important
Brigadier Paul Buttery, head of training, education, skills and resettlement at the MoD and co-signer of the covenant, said: “Approaching the civilian job market with confidence is hugely important for service leavers, reservists, veterans and military spouses as well as cadets.
“By providing accredited training in cutting edge technology skills, and facilitating work placements within the thriving IT industry, QA are building on the skills service personnel and their families already have and supporting them in becoming even more competitive and attractive to potential employers. With today’s signing of the covenant, QA are joining over 1,500 armed forces friendly organisations and helping create exciting career pathways for our community.”
Image: Representatives at signing of the convenant, from QA
