Armed forces leavers offered Moray job lifeline

HELP is at hand for servicemen and women in Moray who are leaving the armed forces and need a fresh career challenge.

For a Speed Networking event being held in Forres this Thursday (October 13) is aiming to connect armed forces leavers and civilians with potential new employers in the area.

The scheme, which is hosted by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), offers people in the job market with a chance to meet face-to-face with contacts from local businesses and discuss employment opportunities.

The HIE Moray Area Office has previously hosted six speed networking events aimed at RAF leavers and local employers, which attracted over 200 air force personnel.

Thursday’s speed networking day takes place at Horizon Scotland in the Enterprise Park, Forres, between 5.45 and 9pm.

Previous events have resulted in a number of servicemen and women securing civilian employment in Moray, whilst many others have made a number of promising contacts with firms in the area.

The majority of staff scheduled to leave the local bases are skilled in aircraft engineering trades, with transferrable engineering skills.

This week’s event involves a series of mini interviews between the individual and the company, providing an opportunity to discuss the possibility of future employment.

Firms like Global Resource Management, AccuNostics, Baxters, Scotland Electronics (International) Ltd and Nautronix are expected to attend.

Craig Lawrence from HIE’s Moray Area Office, said: "We work in close collaboration with the MoD Careers Transition Partnership to make sure that those due to leave the service are able to find constructive outcomes in their search for a new career.

"The recent announcements of the UK Government Strategic Defence Review have made it even more important that we assist people to find alternative or new careers in the Moray area.

"Previous speed networking events have been a great success in providing individuals with opportunities to meet businesses and employers they would not otherwise have met. This is part of HIE’s continued effort to retain useful skills within the area and help strengthen the Moray economy".

Businesses and RAF leavers wishing to find out more or register to attend should contact Tarryn Robertson on 0141 249 6661 or trobertson@strategem.co.uk