Army Engineers take over Knowsley College
ARMY Engineers from Liverpool are
taking over Knowsley College for a day to introduce students and local people
aged 18 and over to the Army Reserve, and the training and employment
opportunities available as a part time soldier.
125 Field Company 101 Battalion REME are based in Allerton, Liverpool, and are
recruiting from across Merseyside. 101 Battalion are the Army’s Mechanical
Engineers for the North West of England. As an Army Reserve Battalion, they are
there to augment Regular operations. They also provide support to the region’s
other Army Reserve units and have a peacetime role providing equipment support
and vehicle maintenance.
There is a huge range of roles on offer with 101 Battalion. Recruits get paid to train and have the opportunity to earn an annual tax-free bonus. Army Reservists get the training and skills they need to work alongside their Regular counterparts, skills which they can also use in their day jobs. 101 Battalion also offers Access to Engineering (A2E), a three month full time traineeship. Recruits will complete basic soldier and engineering training, and successful trainees will finish the course as an Army Reservist and REME tradesman. There are additional opportunities to get a basic driving license, take part in sports and adventure and make new friends.
Cfn Mel Stevenson, 30, joined the unit last year after a career in the Regular Army. During her day job she works on an offshore drilling installation in the North Sea. She lives with her partner and 2 dogs. Mel said:- "The Army Reserve has provided me with mechanical engineering training which sets me apart from the other people I work with in my day job. It’s also a way of keeping fit and active on my time off. Being a Reservist is something to be proud of, and you gain life skills and experience."
Cfn Tony Davies-Musker, 26, joined the Army Reserve in 2008. He works full time at Altcar Training Camp on Merseyside, and lives in Litherland with his wife and children. Tony said:- ‘I joined the Army Reserve because I wanted to do something a little bit different and challenging. Since joining, I have been on various courses qualifying me as a Class 2 Vehicle Mechanic and a Physical Training Instructor. I have also achieved my HGV driver’s license. Being a Reservist you get the opportunity to gain valuable qualifications and to travel. You meet a diverse group of people who become friends for life.’
Lt Col David Harris, Commanding Officer 101
Battalion, said:- ‘We’re really thrilled to be at Knowsley College to show
young people in Liverpool some of the opportunities available as a Reservist. We
can offer comprehensive training over a short period of time, full time payment
for up to three months and drivers’ licenses. At the end of the three months,
recruits will have a basic level of engineering.
I’m asking young people in Liverpool to come to Knowsley College and have a look
at the Army Reserve. We can offer a variety of part time employment
opportunities and even pension opportunities. I hope that when people realise
what qualifications we can give them as part of the process, they will
understand what a great part time job opportunity this could be for them.’
The 101 Battalion REME Open Day will be held on Saturday, 28 March 2015, from 10am at
Knowsley Community College.
125 Field Company parade on Wednesday nights, at Mather Avenue Army Reserve
Centre, in Allerton. For more information about the Army Reserve, visit:-
Army.MOD.UK/ArmyJobs or call 125 Fd Coy on:- 07468 700197.
