SICK and injured war-veterans are being helped to find jobs after Princes William and Harry launched a national Help for Heroes campaign today.
Phoenix House Recovery Centre, part of the Catterick Garrison, Country Durham, is working with truck-maker Caterpillar to help wounded heroes make the transition back into ‘everyday’ work.
Fifteen recovering ex-servicemen and women will attend a session at Caterpillar’s factory in Peterlee on Wednesday (22nd May) to get advice on writing CVs and doing job interviews. They will also have lunch with other ex-military employees at the company to talk about the challenges of adjusting to life outside the forces and how to put their skill set to good use.
Major Rod Flint, second in command at the recovery centre, said: “It is designed to build their confidence and give them a wider understanding of the environment they will soon be passing into.
“It is really to show them the versatility of the civilian workplace and to make them realise they as an individual have a lot to offer.”
The recovery centre is capable of housing up to 46 people, mostly from the nearby Army base. It provides support and courses for soldiers who are likely to be medically discharged to help them reintegrate into civilian life.
Richard Chapman, who served in the RAF before becoming a logistics section manager at Caterpillar, said: "Leaving the RAF after 27 successful and exciting years in logistics, I found the transition into ‘Civvie Street’ easier than I hoped for.
“I have been able to use the skills and experience gained over these years to settle into my new roles and although there is a different work ethic, attitude and sense of humour, these are easily adapted to.”
Caterpillar employs around 20 ex-service personnel doing everything from painting, to welding and training.
Prince William, speaking at the opening of another recovery centre in Tedworth, said: “The wounded and sick servicemen and their families begin life-long journeys when they arrive here; journeys into terrain that can be difficult and challenging.
The Duke of Cambridge chats to Corporal Claire Edwards
“Those journeys of recovery will be cut short, unforgivably, if we as a nation unfix our attention.
We must not let the wounded men and women of our armed forces down.”
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