What is a Civilian Work Attachment?

Category: Tips and Advice Publish date: 27/10/2017

Trial Attachments, also known as Civilian Work Attachments (CWA), are opportunities for you to gain work experience and insight into organisations of potential interest whilst still employed and being paid by the Armed Forces. This can be particularly useful if you are looking to move into an environment or profession which is unfamiliar to you.

CWAs vary in length, depending on what the employer is able to offer – they can range from one day up to the limit of your Graduated Resettlement Time (GRT) allowance.

You may find that some employers use phrases such as “Internships” and “Work Placements” which are similar to CWAs but may be more structured and project focused, and could be paid; they are often undertaken by students seeking to get a foothold in an industry or company. Regardless of the name, the objectives are the same – to gain experience, to impress a potential employer and ultimately to secure paid work and a new career. Think of a CWA as an investment in your future!

What are the benefits?

• CWAs give you the opportunity to learn about civilian/commercial businesses whilst still being employed by the military.
• You get the chance to network with potential employers and gain valuable connections which could help you when leaving the Services.
• You can gain new skills, and develop your current skills, which may be recognised and relevant to future employers.
• You can enhance your understanding of an industry which is of interest to you.
• You gain valuable experience which could expand your CV and demonstrate to civilian employers that you are a proactive, committed individual who is focused on succeeding in a commercial environment.

Key CWA Facts

In line with any resettlement activity during Service, it is the individual Service leaver’s responsibility to liaise with their Chain of Command. Service leavers must seek and obtain permission to be released for the duration of the particular resettlement activity sought, prior to attending any official resettlement activity.

Joint Service Publication (JSP) 534 – The Tri-Service Resettlement Manual - details all resettlement policy and Service leavers should consult this in order to ensure that they fully understand the rules and parameters for CWAs.
 
Graduated Resettlement Time (GRT) is to be used for attendance on any CWA. Where insufficient GRT is available to complete a period of a CWA, then individual annual leave may be used, and exceptionally, Terminal Leave. The order of use for resettlement is GRT, then annual leave, then terminal leave in that order (JSP 534 paras 0358 and 0362 refer).

All CWAs, like any other resettlement activity, must be approved through the Service leaver's Service Resettlement Adviser (SRA) and MOD Form 1746 (Annex W to JSP 534) must be completed.

The Service leaver is responsible for arranging and funding at personal expense appropriate personal injury and indemnity insurance for any period of resettlement activity which does NOT use GRT (for example, for periods involving their use of annual and terminal leave, for example – JSP 534 paras 0362c, 0428 and 0429 refer).

For more information

You can find CWA opportunities advertised on RightJob, or can source your own placement by contacting employers direct. Your Career Consultant will be happy to help.

Click here to read the Civilian Work Attachment Resettlement Guide.