The National Employers Liaison Committee - Skills earned through the VFR

Vocational and professional skills earned through the Reserve Forces

It is easy to see the benefits that a reservist can bring to his/her employer or business. Their personal skills and team working abilities are developed at no cost to the employer. Military training has much to offer the civilian world in terms of human resource development and now these skills have been recognised by the NCVQ (National Council for Vocational Qualifications) and SCOTVEC (Scottish Vocational Education Council), allowing NVQs and SNVQs to be awarded for skills learnt through both the Regular and the Reserve Forces.

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City and Guilds, BTEC and other certificates can be earned in the Services and while they are recognised by civilian employers, other military trades and skills can be harder to relate to the world outside. One of the difficulties faced by serving personnel – particularly in combat arms – is identifying skills of special relevance to the civilian employer. The prospective employer less easily understands many technical trades (such as those of a tank commander or infantry non-commissioned officer). However the advent of NVQs and SVQs allows service personnel to gain credit for those aspects of their military work and skills which are of value to a civilian employer. Management skills, good instructional technique and the ability to communicate are all promoted within the Reserves and can now be converted into worthwhile qualifications. In addition, negotiations are underway to introduce an NVQ level 1 in Public Services for all TA soldiers who gain their Class 3 Employment Qualification. Units in this award include Health and Safety, Communications Skills, Security Duties, First Aid and Maintenance of Personal Fitness. These skills are just as valuable in civilian employment as they are in the Armed Forces.

Guide to Levels and Ranks:
NVQ/SVQ	Qualifying Military Trades

Management Levels 4/5	Officers & WOs
Training and Development Levels 3/4	Officers & NCOs involved in training or course design
Supervisory Management Level 3	NCOs & SNCOs
Information Technology Levels 2/3	For those whose work involves the use of computers and word processors
Business Administration Levels 2/3	Army Clerks and personnel in appointments where administration plays an important part
Accountancy Levels 2/3	Pay Staff in the Adjutant General’s Corps
Engineering all Levels	Officers & NCOs in the technical Corps

What’s in it for the employer?

When a Reservist contributes time to VRF training, the employer can be confident that the training is not exclusively of a military nature; NCVQ and SCOTVEC are confirming what the VRF have long known – that as well as developing personal qualities, the Reservist is learning specific skills which are relevant and transferable to the civilian work place. The Volunteer Reserve Forces are an investor in people and through the VRF the employers can share this investment.

What’s in it for the Reservist?

The VRF want to encourage its personnel to stay on for as long as possible, and it is hoped that the opportunity to earn valuable qualifications over time will provide an incentive. As Reservists gain higher rank and greater skills, they become eligible for more NVQs or SVQs. This should provide good reason to remain in the Volunteer Reserve Forces and it will also be of considerable value to employers.