New research, commissioned as part of the British Army’s new Army Reserve recruitment campaign, has revealed that six in 10 people are not aware of the part-time HR roles available with the Army Reserve.
The survey, carried out by OnePoll, also revealed that seven in 10 people in the UK would consider voluntary work on top of their day jobs. When asked what was missing from their day jobs, Britons said they lacked an exciting and challenging role (24%), and the opportunity to gain professional qualifications (20%) and travel (22%). Three in 10 Britons said they would consider joining the Army Reserve to benefit from all of these opportunities.
The British Army’s new nationwide Army Reserve recruitment campaign was launched in January. The campaign aims to showcase to 18-50 year olds some of the unique volunteering opportunities available for specialist reservist HR roles in the Adjutant General's Corps (AGC). These roles could include working as a Combat HR Specialist to provide financial, administrative, IT and secretarial skills to the Army.
Recruits also will have the opportunity to gain specialist qualifications and training for free, including an Introductory Award in Administrative Management and Human Resource Management which can benefit them in their civilian careers. Combat HR Specialists are capable of deploying anywhere in the world to provide financial, administrative, IT and secretarial skills, whether during operations, peacemaking or during exercises.
Sargent Cheryl Proffitt, 35, is a HR Administrator with the Staff & Personnel Support (SPS) branch of the AGC and a School – Exams Officer said: “I feel so lucky that I’m paid in my spare time to make new friends and further my interest in HR, whilst making the most of free world-class training learning from experienced instructors who are at the top of their fields. I’ve travelled to countries and seen a side of the world I’d never have experienced otherwise. As reservists, we also regularly travel and train abroad - for example there are courses in mountaineering, rock climbing and adventure diving. The list is as long as your goals and ambitions. I get the best of both worlds – when I’m spending the weekend with friends learning new skills, I know that on Monday morning I’ll be back at my day job.”
The campaign shows reservists taking part in a range of activities from live firing exercises in Challenger tanks to underwater welding, and from lagoon diving to delivering emergency medical supplies and humanitarian aid.
Director General, Army Recruiting and Training Division, Major General Chris Tickell said: “This research tells us that people in the UK feel their jobs are lacking challenge, excitement and the opportunity to travel, and that very few realise the full range of part-time job opportunities available to them as a volunteer with the Army Reserve, such as HR and administrative roles. The Army Reserve offers practicing professionals the opportunity for travel and adventure, as well as world-class training. People can also benefit from the confidence and leadership skills they will gain to help them shine in their civilian careers – all in their spare time at a minimum commitment of 19 days and whilst getting paid.”
The research goes on to reveal that nine in 10 Britons worry their careers are being held back by the cost of professional courses and training, with only 39% of employers offering free training and development to its employees.
Army reservists get paid for their time and can even qualify for a tax-free annual bonus. The Army also pays for reservists to gain civilian qualifications while they volunteer - from apprenticeships, literacy and numeracy skills up to A-Level equivalent - which improve employability outside of the Army in civilian life. Over 1,500 employers nationwide have publicly pledged their support for employing reservists, and over 1,000 have a reservist HR policy in place.