CHARITY
MONITOR
The Employment Panel - Royal Signals Mentoring Programme
software company delivering a major project
to the NATO Communications and
Information Agency out in Afghanistan.
Without the support from my coach and the
WCIT I don't think I would have landed this
role for a first job outside the armed forces.”
Another senior officer who attended stated:
“I found the frank, informed and authoritative
advice from members of the WCIT
Employment Panel refreshing and invaluable
as I prepare to leave the Royal Signals.
Indeed, I have frequently quoted insightful
comments from the day to friends, family and
colleagues about to enter civilian life.”
Chairman of the WCIT Employment Panel, Mr Paul Finch, addressing the audience at a coaching
event for the Royal Signals at Blandford camp
I
magine an institutionalised Army officer,
long serving, facing the prospect of
leaving the warm cocoon of Service life
and a future in industry or commerce. He
might think he knows how to get a job; after
all, how hard can it be? In reality he is
ill-equipped and unprepared.
Bring on the WCIT Employment Panel who
are highly experienced in mentoring and
coaching. Ask them to deliver a wide-ranging
suite of presentations on CV writing,
interview techniques, analysis of personal
strengths and weaknesses, and sessions on
opening minds to alternatives. Then allocate
one of them as a coach/mentor to the officer
to guide them through a process of
self-examination and identifying personal
objectives; but not just for one session, this is
for as long as they need, possibly a year or
more.
A few years ago the Employment Panel began
a relationship with Royal Signals providing
coaching and mentoring to members of the
Royal Signals who are preparing to leave the
Army.
As has been previously reported in Monitor
and Computer Weekly
(www.computerweekly.com/
news/2240207713/WCIT-invites-businessesinto-IT-4-Employment-to-support-ex-military)
the scheme has supported about 400 members
of the Royal Signals since the programme
began.
Page 4
One officer quotes…
“I began the process over a year ago. I
remain highly influenced by the presentations
and workshops, and I am still in touch with
my mentor on a regular basis. I am where I
am, happy with an exciting future, in very
large measure due to the success of the
remarkable WCIT Employment Panel / Royal
Signals programme.”
Another candidate states:
The Panel will run events during the coming
year to continue