Research with a small cohort of ex-Service personnel at Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (SBMC) – part of Royal British Legion Industries – has trialled and evaluated a progressive employment training scheme. The project embedded a training manager within SBMC and observed the experiences of ten ex-Service personnel trained over an 18-month period. The research was conducted by Glasgow Caledonian University and funded by Forces in Mind Trust.

The training broke down several barriers to work readiness for the ex-Service personnel who took part in the programme. For example, many reported that the military qualifications they had gained during their time in the Armed Forces were not recognised as transferable to civilian employment. However, through embedding a training manager, who implemented a range of accredited qualifications, they felt that their skills were validated and recognised and it prepared them for further employment through learning new skills.

Whilst providing the tangible benefit of attaining civilian qualifications, this also helped the ex-Service personnel gain confidence in the workplace, knowing that they had qualifications that could be used outside the military should they wish to seek other employment.

All of the participants of the study were on fixed-term contracts at the beginning of the project, with 8 of the 10 joining SBMC on a permanent basis by its conclusion. SBMC’s Progressive Employment Training Programme has continued to train veterans to work at their factory in Erskine, Renfrewshire.

The full report can be read here

The evaluation report was carried out by Shirley Morrison-Glancy and Dr Philippa Dall in Glasgow Caledonian’s School of Health and Life Sciences, and Professor Artur Steiner and Dr Dani Hutcheon in the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health.

Yunus Centre Research Fellow, Dr Hutcheon, said

“Our research showed the importance of having formal recognition of the skills and expertise that veterans had, not just for employment, but also to reinstate a sense of pride and purpose that may have been lost after leaving the Armed Forces.”

“Findings also stated that the majority of participants had been attracted to SBMC as a workplace because it specialises in veteran employment, and they would be working with fellow veterans. There was also an understanding by many that SBMC was a workplace that was trusting of their employees and supportive of the needs of veterans and their personal lives.”

Robert Lappin, Assistant Director of SBMC, said, “The progressive employment training programme evaluated in the study offered veterans the opportunity to gain qualifications while earning a living wage. It included a range of vocational and employability skills, with a focus on personal development and confidence building, whilstalso validating the skills and qualifications they learned in the Armed Forces. By understanding the needs of veterans, wehave created a workplace culture where they can thrive.”

Michelle Alston, Chief Executive of Forces in Mind Trust said

“Whilst most ex-Service personnel successfully transition into civilian employment, some barriers remain to finding sustainable fulfilling employment. Recognising these barriers, such as struggles with the transferability of qualifications is essential if we want to improve the employment outcomes for all ex-Service personnel. We were delighted to collaborate with Royal British Legion Industries and Glasgow Caledonian University to better understand how employment barriers for veterans could be tackled as we work towards a successful and sustainable transition from the Armed Forces to civilian life.”

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About Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company
Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (SBMC), established in 2018, is dedicated to providing veterans with meaningful employment and vocational training. SBMC is Scotland’s leading social enterprise and a market leader in the production of road and rail signs and commercial signage. SBMC provides employment to military veterans as well as to people with disabilities and while doing so, provides nationally recognised training and qualifications with ongoing development opportunities. scotlandsbravest.org.uk

About Glasgow Caledonian University

Glasgow Caledonian University is the top modern university in the UK, and the largest and leading modern university in Scotland. It is a vibrant, values-led university with campuses in the heart of Glasgow and London.  With a strong commitment to high quality education and research which supports the communities we serve, our partnerships with employers help our students get the careers they dream of and deserve.