Ex-Mil Recruitment Program Seeks Charity Status

An ex-army officer who works for oil and gas services provider Senergy Development Solutions is seeking charitable status for a program he launched in 2011 in Aberdeen, Scotland, that seeks to smooth the path for former military personnel looking to move into the energy industry.

Magnus Jeffrey, a former captain in the Royal Scots Borderers and who is now a project manager at Senergy, set up The Network Aberdeen in November 2011 to help other former service staff interested in following him into the energy sector. According to Jeffrey, in spite of lacking the technical experience for a career change to the energy industry, the nine years he spent operating in demanding conditions and environments for the army meant he had the right skills for taking on a role with Senergy.

“The hardest thing is definitely that initial step. A lot of people leave the services without relevant industry qualifications, but they often have the knowledge and skills needed, as well as broader experience garnered from operational military work,” Jeffrey said in a statement released Friday.

“The oil and gas industry is a dynamic and exciting industry in which to work, and is in many ways similar to the military. Critically, it has job opportunities so will naturally be a focus for service leavers.

“However, many of these individuals struggle to get past the initial application stage. Their applications often fall foul of the automated systems as it is difficult to relay their appropriate skills and expertise on paper. If the same individual is able to meet with someone and given the opportunity to explain what they can offer, the outcome can be very positive for both parties.”

Senergy itself has recently recruited another former infantryman, Andy Wilson, as well as an ex-Swedish naval officer, Erik Bergman.

The Network Aberdeen is now attempting to gain charitable status in the UK after having been successful in helping more than 10 people into work. The organization aims to be the focal point for service leavers in the North East of Scotland, while it is also now providing an increasing level of support to those people leaving other uniformed services, including the police and fire brigade.

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