Portsmouth Jobs Fair For Ex-Servicemen

28 November 2013, 07:34 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A jobs fair is being held for members of the Armed Forces in Portsmouth to help them find new careers when they leave the Services.

It's being held between 10:30am and 3:30pm at the Marriott Hotel on Southampton Road. The purpose of the event is to introduce current and former MoD and Armed Forces personnel to employment and training opportunities and support services to aid their transitions from military to civilian life. It is free to attend and families are welcome.

This event will be the first BFRS Careers Event held in Portsmouth and is extremely timely given BAE Systems’ announcement of job losses in Portsmouth. With a significant number of former Services personnel being employed in the ship building trade in the city, this event provides an excellent opportunity for them to come along and reassess their options.

Over the years the BFRS events have attracted thousands of past and present Service personnel seeking employment opportunities and advice on their transition to Civvy Street. One such Serviceman was Ben Smith. He said:

“I attended the BFRS event at Tidworth Leisure Centre in September 2012. I thought it would be of great use in finding a future career path and also for help with my CV.

"On attending the event I didn't have many ideas on the career path I wanted to take other than that I wanted to do something interesting.

"BFRS Careers Events feature many exhibition stands from some of the country’s biggest employers, franchises and training providers, all eager to meet and discuss opportunities with members of the British Armed Forces community. I checked out various stands of all types of jobs and careers. I visited a stand for The Surveillance Group and found that what they had to offer was very interesting and something I would fancy doing in the future.

“At the event I booked onto their Insight Day taking place the following day. I have now been employed working for The Surveillance Group full-time as a surveillance operative since December 2012. I feel that I have found a job that I really enjoy with good pay and benefits and just want to continue working as a surveillance operative and progressing in my career.

“To others thinking of attending a BFRS event, I would definitely recommend it as there are a wide range of jobs and careers to have an insight into and, like me, you could end up finding a great career in something you may never have thought of before attending the events.”

BFRS founder Harry Dean says:

“Our Portsmouth event will feature more than 30 exhibitors ranging from world-renown employers and recruitment firms who wish to fill their skills gaps with Armed Forces personnel, to training organisations who provide courses that translate military training into formal industry qualifications, and service providers offering free resettlement help and advice, including help with job hunting issues such as CV writing.

"All members of the Armed Forces Community, including families and veterans, are welcome to attend the exhibition and access the free support available.

“If you are ex-Armed Forces, or still in the process of leaving the Forces, and are interested in finding what opportunities await you on Civvy Street, simply arrive on the day or go to www.bfrss.org.uk for more information.”