NEWS COPY
The British Army has launched a recruitment drive for more Officers amid dwindling numbers of applications from university graduates.
Latest figures show a dramatic slump in numbers of Officers recruited, with last year's numbers being the lowest for seven years.
Only 81 per cent of posts were filled for the year 2014/2015, compared to 95 per cent the previous year.
Graduate recruitment to the Armed forces has steadily fallen over the last decade and is now 27 per cent lower than in 2005.
Top brass are concerned about the number of people who do not know that the Army is recruiting - 46 per cent of 14 - 24 year olds - as well as common misconceptions among the public, from the belief that there are no skilled jobs, to worrying about the risk on the front line or thinking that Officers only come from an Oxbridge education.
For the first time in eight years, the Army today (October 1) launched a national Officer careers 'roadshow', called 'With Heart. With Mind', which features experiences like virtual reality parachute jumps and interactive mind challenges in a bid to connect with younger potential recruits. Twenty universities will be visited across the UK throughout October and November.
Officers like Captain Patrick Pratt, 31, who comes from a working class background and took several jobs to pay his way through university, will be on hand to chat with the public.
He said: "I decided to join as an Army Officer because on leaving university there were very few other jobs that offered such a broad and varied range of challenges and opportunities for leading people. My role has also given me the opportunity to lead teams and serve in humanitarian aid operations which has been by far the most rewarding experience of my career.
"The people are what makes it great. It doesn't matter what your background, class or experience is - when you're all out in a field and it's cold and wet, it's a great social leveller.
"Money and background won't help you set up a harbour area, do a platoon attack or manage your soldiers better.
"The Army attracts people of all shapes and sizes, which is what makes it such a great institution."
Research conducted by the Army revealed that three-quarters of graduates were unaware of salary levels, fast promotions or the ability to gain professional qualifications available to graduates in the Army.
Verity Brown, 29, joined the Army as a Dental Officer serving with the 5 Armoured Medical Regiment. She said:
"I was attracted to joining the Army as it offered me the opportunity to develop and gain further qualifications, and to travel the world. I've continued to develop as a dentist, gaining industry recognised qualifications.
"I'm currently doing dentistry out of a tent on a field exercise in Canada. My role has involved treating soldiers, their families and people in local communities where the Army is based, which is very rewarding."
Major General Paul Nanson, Commandant of Sandhurst, said:
"We know that today's graduates are looking for challenge and genuine responsibility from day one in their career. They want to do something that makes a difference and are not driven only by money as they used to be. A career within the Army provides this, fulfilling the desire to work with both heart and mind. This recruitment campaign aims to bring the Army to the forefront of university students' hearts and minds by offering insight and experiences and raising awareness of the opportunities and competitive salary that Officers enjoy.
"We also know that there are further misconceptions about the background of Army Officers being elitist. We are seeing around 50 per cent of Army Officers coming from a comprehensive school background and we now have more applicants joining from polytechnic universities and fewer from the more traditional sources, such as Oxbridge.
"Through this campaign we hope to attract more recruits by showcasing the Army Officer as a highly-skilled career that offers leadership, challenge and the opportunity to do something that makes a difference, available to people from all walks of life."
The majority of Sandhurst applicants join with a university background, with only one in 10 joining without a higher education qualification. The top ten Army Officer recruiting universities for 2015 were University of Leeds, University of London University of Exeter, University of Birmingham, University of Plymouth, University of Manchester, Cardiff University, Loughborough University, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, University of Durham.
By improving awareness and understanding of what the Army does, the 'With Heart. With Mind' campaign supports ongoing recruitment for the Army, which aims to show that there is more to the Army than just combat roles.
For more information about the role of an Officer search Army Officer Jobs, visit www.army.mod.uk/officer or call 0345 700 1700.
Did you know, as an Army Officer:
- You receive an annual salary of £30,617 after training plus pension.
- You receive 30 days annual holiday on top of all the usual bank holidays, and extra time off in lieu of operations.
- You receive the best leadership and management training in the world.
- You have opportunities to travel overseas for operations, adventurous training, sport and peacekeeping.
- You have access to free gym and sports facilities, with world class fitness and nutritional advice.
- You gain skills and qualifications that are transferable to life after the Army.
- Any medical procedures or dental work that you require is paid for by the Army and is carried out by fully qualified Army personnel or private practices where necessary.
- You have a clear promotion structure to follow. Each successive rank brings extra responsibilities, duties and respect, and an increase in pay.
Army Officer roadshow schedule:
1-2 October Nottingham
1-2 October St Andrews
5-6 October Sheffield
5-6 October Dundee
8-9 October Bristol
8-9 October Leicester
12-13 October Birmingham
13-14 October Southampton
15-16 October Loughborough
15-16 October Cardiff
20-21 October Queens, Belfast
22-23 October Northumbria
26-27 October Manchester Metropolitan
26-27 October Canterbury
29-30 October Leeds
2-3 November Durham
2-3 November York
9-10 November Exeter
10 November Leeds Beckett
18-19 November UEA (TBC)
ENDS
