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Army course in Dudley drills jobseekers for the world of work

Jobseekers are being drilled in how to prepare themselves for the world of work in a course run by the army.

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The B Squadron of The Royal Yeomanry in Dudley is running the 10-day course aimed at the unemployed to help raise their self esteem, confidence and employability.

As part of the sessions, the participants are given tutoring by staff from the Job Centre in how to create a CV, while Black Country industry representatives are providing advice on interviewing techniques.

They are also receiving training on other aspects of working life, including health and safety from volunteers with the St John Ambulance, as well as sporting activities, IT and workplace skills and a work placement.

The course is called Midlands Supporting People into Employment with the Army Reserve.

Arran Bevington-King, liaison officer for B Squadron, said: "There are some really good things to come out of the course.

"The biggest thing is that attending the course will raise the self-confidence, employability and self-esteem of the person attending for when they apply for jobs.

"It gives them a fantastic insight into the army reserve and the qualifications they can gain from being in the army reserve."

The course started on Monday and will run until May 22.

It also offers participants the chance to undergo army command tasks.

The course is being predominantly held within the Army Reserve Centre at Vicar Street, Dudley, with some of the activities taking place at Swynnerton Army Training Area, RAF Cosford and Himley Hall.

It also gives those taking part a chance to sample life in the Army Reserve, with many of those deciding to sign up who have undergone the course in other areas such as Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton and Telford.

Mr Bevington-King expected just under 25 people to turn up for the course, which is to run between 9am and 4pm on each day.

The course was pioneered in Wolverhampton last year.

For two weeks a the sessions were based at the Wolverhampton Fallings Park HQ of the 4th Battalion the Mercian Regiment, an Army Reserve, formerly Territorial Army, unit.

The scheme was launched through the Wolverhampton and Bilston job centres and had a 'good response' from people taking part.

The Army Reserve aims to recruit up to its full manning of 30,000 trained soldiers, with up to an additional 8,000 soldiers in training, to provide a trained army by 2018.

For more information and phone Mr Bevington-King on 01384 215162 or email RY-B-LO@mod.uk.

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