Supporting Ian Astley on his resettlement journey
Category: Success Stories
Publish date: 03/11/2022
After a 33 year-long career with the Army, Ian decided it was time for a new challenge, and the CTP were all too happy to begin supporting him as he embarked on his resettlement journey:
“I joined 3 R ANGLIAN in 1990 directly from RMAS and Platoon Commanders’ Battle Course at Warminster… My operational experience centered on multiple ‘emergency’ tours of Northern Ireland and one residential tour (in Londonderry). Thereafter, I served in MOD Main Building and went to Staff College in the new building at Shrivenham… Since staff college I have been on multiple tours in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. The last few years have seen me gain commercial experience helping to manage the MOD’s housing estate from within DIO.”
Resettlement
Once registered for his support, Ian attended a 3-day Career Transition Workshop (CTW) and a variety of CTP workshops that helped confirm exactly which direction Ian wanted to take his career:
“The breadth of the CTW helped open my eyes to the amount of activity I would need to complete in order to have a successful resettlement, while highlighting the huge range of support and resources available that would help me along the way.
"I then attended the Financial Aspects of Resettlement and Self-Employment Awareness workshops. I knew I was interested in running my own businesses but didn’t know much about how to do it. The Self-Employment Awareness course reinforced my desire to go down this path, and gave a realistic picture of the advantages, pitfalls and work that was required to succeed in self-employment.
"I subsequently attended a one-week Accounting for Small Businesses course, which helped with understanding the basics of accounting, and provided me with more insight into self-employment to compliment what I’d learned previously.”
With a wealth of newly acquired knowledge under his belt, Ian undertook a vocational training course and Civilian Work Attachment to gain some additional experience in cycle maintenance:
“I used my Enhanced Learning Credits to undertake the Institute of Motor Industry Level 3 Bicycle Mechanic Course at The Bike Inn. This has given me the highest possible professional qualification in cycle maintenance, and has enabled me to establish a small business as a home and mobile cycle mechanic – Glen Valley Cycles.
"Through my time with the Bike Inn, I gained an opportunity (post-course) to attend a CWA as Assistance Mechanic for a UCI International female cycling team at the Tour L’Ardeche. I was responsible for preparing and maintaining the bicycles, equipment and van, and operated as mechanic in the team car behind the riders during 7 days of racing. My skills as a mechanic improved, I got an insight into the world of professional international cycle racing, and I received offers of further work in this field as a result of the contacts I made. Ultimately, it provided me with an invaluable experience and has boosted my cycle mechanic CV.”
Successful Outcome
“The leadership experience I have acquired throughout my 33 year-long career with the Army, as well as my Institute of Leadership and Management Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring, have formed the basis of my business Astley Leadership Mentoring and Coaching.
"The advice I’ve received from my CTP Career Consultant, as well as the workshops and training courses I’ve attended, have all helped me establish myself in self-employment.”
Advice
As a final piece of advice to fellow Service leavers, Ian says:
“Start resettlement activity as early as you can and attend as many of the free activities as possible. Use the advice and experience of your CTP Career Consultant, and utilise your contacts (you’ll have more than you realise!) throughout your resettlement.
"Always look for opportunities to gain qualifications from within the military during your last few years of Service, and make the most of all the financial resources available to you during your resettlement – SLC, ELC, resettlement funding and GRT warrants.
"The breadth of support available through the CTP is extensive, so start with a broad view and work out which support elements will be most relevant to you and your needs.”
If you’d like to find out more about the wealth of training courses available through the CTP, please click here.