Minister says scheme helping veterans is fantastic
BBCA training programme that helps veterans return to civilian life has been praised by a government minister.
The veterans career transition programme is run by the University of Hull and aims to support veterans in new careers after they have left the Armed Forces.
Alistair Carns, Minister for Veterans and People, issued certificates to those who had completed the scheme on Friday.
The 10-week course was designed with help from the charity Hull 4 Heroes, and the minister said it was "fantastic".
Veteran Stephen Johnson, 69, who left the Navy in 1988, said he managed to get a job soon after, but felt "a little bit lost".
"I felt I was very good at what I used to do, but I wasn't specifically well placed for what I was currently doing," he said.
"So my confidence was a bit low."
Mr Johnson said the strength, weakness and opportunity module of the training was the highlight for him.
"I began to see and feel my confidence growing, and I saw it happen all around the room. I saw the confidence grow in every single individual," he added.
Mr Johnson said he had done the course because he would like to be a trainer himself so he could "give something back".
Sgt CJ Adams went on the course for her own personal development and said what she learned will help her when she leaves the forces at some point in the future.
"In terms of CV writing, interview skills, writing just a cover note for a job application, these things that people don't necessarily know about," she said.
Carns, who visited the Hull 4 Heroes veteran's hub at Princes Quay in Hull, said: "The enthusiasm, determination and drive of the staff, and the support from the local MP and council has been absolutely superb. It's fantastic."
Emma Hardy, MP for Hull West and Haltemprice who also attended the visit, said she was proud of the programme and hoped the course could be used elsewhere in the country.
"It's designed to take the skills that [veterans] already have and look at how they can be slightly adapted or changed in some way, and suitable for life in the normal workforce."
Paul Matson, from Hull 4 Heroes, said there were four additional courses coming up and they hoped to provide more in the future.
The programme is funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, and is designed to help veterans and their families transition to careers in the Hull and East Yorkshire region.
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