Military work placements pay off

Picture caption: Jack Flint (right), a soldier who was on placement at Norbert Dentressangle, with warehouse operatives Craig Greeves (far left) and Mark Earley, behind on the VNA (very narrow aisle) lift truck. 

A pilot scheme, which ran from November 2012 to the end of March 2013, has been extended until 31st August 2013 following an enthusiastic response.

Norbert Dentressangle has backed the project from the start and so far over 60 military leavers have completed two-week placements, with another 18 scheduled to take place in the next few weeks. These cover a range of positions including operations management, warehouse management and driving.

In addition to providing service personnel with hands-on experience of careers in the transport and logistics industry, Norbert Dentressangle is ensuring participants receive information, advice and guidance that will help them identify transferable skill sets during the placement. There is also a guaranteed job interview upon completion of a course.

Transferable skills
Sue Finch, who is facilitating the scheme in the Learning and Development (L&D) team at Norbert Dentressangle Transport Services, says: "Military personnel clearly have the right sort of transferable skills that can drive our industry forward but it’s sometimes not easy for them to move into civilian jobs.

"By closely shadowing our people, candidates get a real taste of what transport and logistics is all about, as well as experience they can use in their post-army professions. They get all the formal induction new starters do, and we put some of them through courses, such as the driver CPC training, where possible.”

After his two week placement with Norbert Dentressangle at a national distribution centre in Northampton, Major Tom Hall of the 166 Supply Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, said: "The time and effort given to me so freely to explain and demonstrate operations was really appreciated. I had not realised I would learn so much. As well as being so welcoming, everyone in the team was committed to operational excellence and clearly proud to work for Norbert Dentressangle.”