Navy man wants to help veterans
Ex officer is planning careers support event
A recently retired naval officer turned Stirling councillor is organising a new event for the area aimed at hooking up veterans and Armed Forces personnel with genuine employment opportunities in civilian life.
Councillor Bryan Flannagan retired from the Royal Navy in March and was elected as a Conservative councillor for the Stirling East ward at the council elections in May.
However, as the council’s Armed Forces Champion, he now hopes to put his own knowledge and experiences behind efforts to support veterans and those leaving the Services.
Finding the right career - and sometimes even any career - in civilian life is something many find particularly challenging.
But Councillor Flannagan is hosting “Stand Up Stirling” on Thursday December 14 from 6-9.30pm, an event he hopes will be mutually beneficial both to those looking for jobs and to employers who can make best use of their considerable skillsets.
Councillor Flannagan said: “I was a naval officer for nine years- a submarine officer.
“In your last year you have to find a job, often through networking and interviews. While a year might sound like plenty of time, it’s not a long time when you are staring down the gun barrel of unemployment and it can be difficult going from an environment which has been so structured to one which is so uncertain.
“A lot of people end up in jobs they don’t necessarily want to do or which don’t make best use of their skills.
“I have been at huge events for hundreds of members of the Armed Forces which have been no use whatsoever. Sometimes these just prove to be a showcase for the businesses rather than necessarily geared to providing genuine job or career opportunities which can be very disheartening. I am very aware of that and I am keen to avoid that with the event we are organising for Stirling.
“We want those who come along to feel confident that they have been given the best chance possible to take advantage of whatever opportunities are available and at least to make themselves known to businesses and employers with whom there may be a mutually beneficial relationship now or in the future.
“We want to facilitate a meeting where we can put veterans - and those who are currently in the armed forces but looking for work beyond that - in touch with employers or advisers who genuinely have jobs available or are keen to employ them when posts come up. This could be either utilising the skills and experience they already have or helping those who are interested in forging a new career.”
The event on December 14 will include a “speed-dating” type of process where those attending get a chance to network with each business on rotation and hear what it is about and what it can offer.
“This is nothing to do with CV writing, but just something factual,” said Councillor Flannagan. “The businesses can say ‘if you want to work for us, here’s what’s coming up.’ At the end of the event there will be an informal get-together.
“It also won’t be purely confined to Stirling businesses and employers but also feature some from outwith the area. There will also be advice and support on hand from charities and the Citizens Advice Bureau so that hopefully we have all angles covered.”
A lot of people end up in jobs they don’t necessarily want to do