AFEP COURSE A SUCCESS

Barry Buddon training area was the venue for the Armed Forces Employability Pathway (AFEP) course held from October 12-16.

The course saw 17 young job seekers with an interest in the Armed Forces taking part in a variety of tasks designed to offer them life skills. These included team building, problem solving, communications and personal resilience training.

Day one included tackling an obstacle course, and day two offered the chance to meet Reservist units including 7Scots and the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry. During day three participants learned fieldcraft with a night recce and recognition tasks. Day four included tackling the obstacle course, recovering a casualty, paintball and a command task. On day five certificates were presented to the nine who showed the character required to complete the course.

Many of those taking part are planning to pursue careers in the Regular and Reserve forces.

Those included Michael Clark, from Dundee, who was referred to the course from his local Job Centre.

He said: “I am interested in the Army, so when the opportunity to come on the AFEP course came up I knew that I definitely wanted to do it. It’s been fantastic and I’m now thinking about joining the Royal Logistics Corps or the engineers. The next step is to get more information and then make my choice.”

Ian Sullivan, from Kinross, said: “I loved every minute of it. I was in the ACF for five years with my local Black Watch detachment so I knew what to expect. I now plan to join the Regulars and do my part. My dad was in the Paras and my grandfather was with the REME. I’m interested in joining the infantry or an artillery regiment.”

Kevin Rankin, from Dundee, has already taken the plunge and will soon be embarking on selection for the Parachute Regiment.

Certificates were presented to course participants by Major Susan Duthie, of 51 Infantry Brigade. She praised the character of those taking part and congratulated them on completing the course. She added that she hoped to welcome many of them into the Reserves in the future.

Following the military element, the course moves on to become business-led and includes a work placement, a guaranteed interview and provides assistance with creating a CV.