A lack of awareness about Army life and the roles on offer could be stopping human resources, business administration and secretarial professionals from considering a career with the British Army. Research reveals that Britons primarily think the Army only involves combat roles and more than half of people have no idea about the full-time and part-time administration careers available in roles such as PAs, recruitment specialists, payroll, HR managers, and welfare workers.
Corporal Shantel Ashton, a 31-year-old Senior Human Resource Administrator with the 26 Engineer Regiment, said: “the best thing about my job is gaining experience in dealing with everyday admin issues from soldiers in my sub unit.”
“The Army has allowed me to complete a number of training courses including an ECDL course to better my computers skills, my CLM’s which enabled me to be a more effective leader and a number of admin courses which teach the basic standards required to be a HR Administrator.”
A part-time career with the AGC provides an opportunity for HR and admin specialists looking to do something extra with their time and seeking a rewarding experience outside of normal working hours. Reservists travel alongside British soldiers all over the world, delivering support to operations, exercises and adventure training.
The Staff and Personnel Support (SPS) Branch provides specialist HR, personnel and business administration, finance, accounting and ICT support to the British Army during peacetime and on operations. Its personnel serve alongside and administer every unit in the Army.
Research, carried out by One Poll, revealed more than half (53 per cent) did not know the Army offered HR or administration roles, and that close to a third of people did not realise part-time jobs in the Army Reserve were paid. Two-fifths did not know that being a reservist was a flexible commitment that fits in around people’s day jobs and personal lives.
Major General Chris Tickell, Director General, Army Recruiting and Training Division said: “The Army is restructuring to ensure Regular and Reserve soldiers are fully integrated into one force, training and working alongside each other. This campaign reflects that and will kick start our recruitment of new full-time soldiers and increase the trained strength of part-time soldiers. We hope to do this by challenging public perceptions that the Army purely consists of frontline combat roles. We want to show potential recruits who are perhaps thinking about how they can improve their careers and lives that there is much more to the Army than meets the eye.
For more information about the exciting career opportunities available for HR and other specialist professionals in the Army Reserve, visit www.army.mod.uk/join.