With significant cuts to the numbers of military posts in recent years, there are large numbers of active (coming towards the end of their service career) and ex-service personnel now looking to enter the job market or increase their existing employment opportunities. In the UK, current projections suggest that over 20,000 individuals leave the armed forces every year, with the latest employment forecasts predicting that construction will need to find almost 224,000 new recruits by 2019.

In response to this the CITB, a number of high profile employers including MACE, Persimmon Homes, Skanska, and Morgan Sindall and The Chartered Institute of Building have initiated schemes aimed directly at these people, promoting operative and managerial careers in construction.

Supervisory & Management skills will be some of the most sought after in the sector. Almost 17,000 managers are expected to be needed over the next four years as growth continues in the sector.

It is our belief that men and women who are serving/served in the military possess excellent leadership, team working, project management and problem solving skills, all of which are highly sought after in the construction industry.

CADUK have identified that there are some significant barriers for serving and ex-service personnel in entering the construction industry at Supervisory & Managerial level, not least of which that at the point of leaving they do not posses the appropriate qualifications (NVQs), industry accreditation (CSCS cards) or professional recognition (CIOB/ICWCI). We feel that particularly those serving in the Royal Engineers should have these essential tools in place before they leave.

Service personnel have a variety of ways in which to fund their development activities. This includes access to ELCAS funding to which CADUK have recently been awarded Approved Provider status for the MOD’s Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELC). ELCs may only be claimed for learning which results in a nationally recognised qualification at Level Three or above on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (England and Wales).

Alternatively those Ex-Service people who have managed to gain employment in the construction industry and are in a supervisory or managerial role can still access ELCAS funding up to ten years after they leave to help fund the NVQ qualifications that can further enhance their employment opportunities.

To find out more about how CADUK can help you gain access to relevant Supervisory and Managerial NVQs from Level 3 to 7 that provide real recognition and access to increased employment opportunities at home and abroad through the ELCAS funding scheme please visit our ELCAS page, contact us through our website, or give us a call on 01952 292 005.