Employers from the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland came together on 17 March for a visit to RAF Lossiemouth.
The visitors enjoyed an opportunity to meet Reservists, gain an insight into the station’s workings, and catch a glimpse of the Quick Response Alert (QRA) and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA).
Following a welcome in the Officers’ Mess, guests moved across to the Atlantic Building, the strategic facility that houses its new Poseidon aircraft. Visitors enjoyed a walk-round of a Boeing Poseidon MRA1 (P8-A).
Employers also had a chance to chat with Reservists working at the station. The Reservists detailed the diverse skills and qualifications they have acquired through their RAF service and how these can benefit their civilian employers.
The afternoon at RAF Lossiemouth concluded with a visit to 1(F) Squadron where, after an introductory talk on the Squadron’s history and recent overseas activities, the guests were given a close-up tour of a Typhoon FGR4 fighter jet.
“The highlight for me was looking in the cockpit of the Typhoon and looking at the handle for pulling the ejector seat and listening to the technology behind it,” said Paul Sheerin, Chief Executive of Scottish Engineering.
Flight Lieutenant Terry Cowan, Adjutant for Lossie-based 2622 (Highland) Squadron, said: “The aim of today was to show employers what the Regular service does and provide that as a platform to promote what Reserves do and what Reserves can bring to employers and their companies. It is very easy to say ‘Oh, they pick up guns and they do guard’ but it is to show all the other aspects – the leadership, the management – and indeed how they impact on different jobs and what we can do to look after both Reservists and companies that take them on.”
HRFCA Regional Employer Engagement Directors Ray Watt and Roy McLellan hosted employers at the event. To find out how you can support the Armed Forces, contact Roy at [email protected], or Ray at [email protected].
Employers who attended from the HRFCA-area were: Roddy Burns (Moray Council); Jo McBain (NHS Highland); Jim Savege (Aberdeenshire Council); Lorna Walker (University of the Highlands and Islands); Graham Hamilton (Bristow Helicopters); Martin Smith (Cyber Prism); Toby Marshall (Raytheon); Ben Robertson (Amazon); Scott Hammond (Shetland Space Centre); and Claire Winn (Wood PLC).
