A new initiative to bring Chambers of Commerce and military units closer together launched earlier this month in Dundee. The ChamberFORCE programme is a partnership between 5 Chambers of Commerce and designated personnel from the Army, Royal Navy and RAF Reserves. The 5 Chambers – Aberdeen & Grampian, Dunbartonshire, Dundee & Angus, Fife and Moray – have previously demonstrated their support for the Armed Forces by signing the Armed Forces Covenant and winning Bronze or Silver Employer Recognition Scheme Awards, and all operate in the geographical reach of the Highland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (HRFCA) who are co-ordinating the programme.
Michelle McKearnon, Regional Employer Engagement Director for HRFCA and a former CEO of Chambers of Commerce, said: “There was already a very strong relationship between Chambers and the military, but we wanted to streamline it and make it more productive for all involved. It is important that the Ministry of Defence recognises the vital role Chambers play in the business community, and that we give something back to all the employers who support our people. ChamberFORCE harnesses the power of the Chamber network and the resources available to businesses from the military, so it is a win-win situation.”
Chambers members will be able to access a range of benefits such as help with recruiting highly skilled ex-military personnel, access to exclusive networking and briefing events, and a range of free leadership and staff development opportunities such as Exercise Executive Stretch, and Exercise Mini-Stretch, both of which have proved hugely popular this year.
Lara McKay from Moray Chamber who attended Executive Stretch as one of the participants this year wrote in her blog, “Without a doubt this is a training course not to be missed. We learnt so much from this experience from basic soldiering skills to what it’s like to be in the reserves, but most importantly our strengths and weaknesses within a team environment. I would really recommend taking part in this course”
ChamberFORCE differs from previous engagement in that each Chamber has been allocated a specific military “buddy”: – for Dundee & Angus Chamber it is 225 Medical Regiment – and this allows the two organisations to work more closely together in sharing best practice and gaining a clear understanding of the mutual benefits to be developed in the partnership. Tim Allan, President of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce who themselves received their ERS silver Award in November, welcomed the new initiative.
He said: “The launch of ChamberFORCE comes at a critical time for business and will act as an important enabler to showcase the talents and skills of those with military experience. With many sectors and companies continuing to cite recruitment challenges and skills shortages as a barrier to growth, ChamberFORCE is an excellent example of how partnership working can tackle the big challenges facing our economy.
“Leadership, agility, resilience and adaptiveness are just some of the attributes that businesses need in a fast-moving economy and I look forward to supporting ChamberFORCE as we unlock these talents and grow Scotland’s economy.”
ChamberFORCE has also been widely welcomed by the military personnel involved. Lieutenant Colonel Matt Sheldrick, Commanding Officer of 7SCOTS, said: “7SCOTS is privileged and delighted to be involved in ChamberFORCE.
“Our Army Reserve men and women are ‘citizen soldiers’ who live and work in the local communities alongside their civilian counterparts; employers, work colleagues, family and friends. It is important that there is an open and honest relationship between the Reservist and their employer, and that employers are aware of the range of benefits of employing a member of the Reserve Forces, including the many transferable skills which are brought to the workplace at no cost whatsoever to the employer.
“ChamberFORCE will present a unique opportunity for Chambers and 7 SCOTS to work together to maximise ‘Business skills in Reserve’.
With a range of networking and training opportunities being planned for the first 12 months of the ChamberFORCE programme, businesses are encouraged to get involved and maximise the benefits on offer to their staff and business community. For more information visit the HRFCA or participating Chamber websites, or contact Michelle at the HRFCA – hi-reed@rfca.mod.uk.
