Open day in Inverness will offer advice to Armed Forces veterans

ADVICE on job opportunities and training schemes available to the Armed Forces community will be highlighted at an employment open day in Inverness this week.

The event, at Poppyscotland’s welfare centre in Strothers Lane on Thursday, will be attended by organisations such as Skills Development Scotland, New Start Highland, the Regular Forces Employment Association, X-Forces, Momentum Skills and the Department of Work and Pensions/JobCentre Plus Armed Forces champion.

Mark Bibbey, Poppyscotland’s chief executive, said the Armed Forces community numbered about 100,000 in the north of Scotland and he wanted members to make use of the support available at the event from 11am to 3pm.

Veterans are invited to learn how they can boost their job prospects in a relaxed atmosphere.

“Those in the ex-service community are just as susceptible to the range of problems that the population as a whole can face during the course of their life, such as employment, debt, bereavement, housing issues and mobility difficulties caused by old age,” Mr Bibbey said.

“Importantly, however, their ability to address these issues on their own can be greatly affected by their time in uniform, in terms of developing both a knowledge and understanding of civilian systems and norms, and also as a consequence of experiences they have had in the Armed forces. That is why events such as our employment open day are so important.”

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