A number of employers visited an Army Reserve unit in Bilborough, Nottinghamshire, UK, on Tuesday 16 January to learn more about the training and personal development opportunities available to employees through the Reserve Forces.

During the event, hosted by 162 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps (RLC), we heard about the Army Reserve and the training undertaken by reservists, along with observing how military postal courier services, catering and logistics planning facilities are set up in the field.

162 Regiment is a newly formed unit which will be the second largest in the Army Reserve and will include almost 600 personnel country-wide when fully manned. The Regiment provides a movement control capability, as well as postal and courier services in support of the Regular Army.

John Wilson, the Ministry of Defence’s Regional Employer Engagement Director, supported the Army Reserve for this event. He said: “Members of the Volunteer Reserve Forces undergo rigorous training, developing skills and attributes which, according to independent research, would cost over £8,000 a year to deliver. Military training develops key personal attributes such as self-confidence, leadership, teamwork, organisation, resourcefulness and perseverance; these are essential in every workforce.

Roger Marshall, Managing Partner at Bradburys Global Risk Group attended the event. He said: “The 162 Regiment event offered the perfect opportunity for businesses to engage directly with Reserve Forces personnel and experience first-hand the real value in employing reservists. Members of the Armed Forces Community are vital to our operations, ex-regulars and reservists account for 70 percent of our UK workforce and the military training, strong work ethics, commitment, teamwork and productiveness are just some of the benefits that can be transferred across to the commercial sector when employing reservists.”