University to help veterans forge new careers

An armed forces charity has linked up with a university to help veterans forge new careers.

Launched by Hull 4 Heroes and the University of Hull, a 10-week course will run from November.

Dr Catherine Wynne, who will teach part of the course, said the course would help veterans "harness their existing skills to support them in developing alternative career paths".

The course will run from November.

Partners and children of veterans can also enrol, provided they are 18 and over and not in full-time education.

Helen Skinner, a manager at Hull 4 Heroes, said: “Sometimes people leaving the forces do not see their transferable skills and the benefits they can bring to a workplace.

"This bespoke course will allow veterans and their family members to identify their skills and offer an insight into career paths they may not have considered available to them.”

She added: “Our region has an incredibly strong and supportive network of businesses, charities, voluntary and private sector organisations. It is hoped that they will really get behind this initiative to provide opportunities for veterans from this programme."

Former soldier Tony Bowler, who now owns his own company, believes many veterans find the return to civilian life "very tough after the excitement and jeopardy of military service".

He said: “The new veterans programme will allow leaving service personnel and their families to transition into civilian life by allowing them to sample and experience different skillsets without jumping straight into the first job that is offered to them."

An open day for the Veterans Career Transition programme will take place at 13:00 BST on 23 October at Hull 4 Heroes' offices in Princes Quay Shopping Centre.

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