The key consideration for the majority (68%) of graduates from Liverpool climbing onto the career ladder is to secure a role that offers opportunities to develop skills and knowledge, according to research by the British Army.
The work ‘wish list’ also comprises earning a good salary (70%), but graduates want to work somewhere that gives them the ability to do something they’re proud of (41%) and enables them to make a difference to other people’s lives (38%).
While three quarters (73%) of Liverpool’s graduate workforce feel mentally challenged by their current role, ampoule more than half (51%) want more progression and development opportunities and more than a third (38%) crave more opportunities to learn key skills. In fact, less than half (46%) believe their role lives up to their expectations.
The survey supports the British Army’s latest ‘With Heart With Mind’ recruitment campaign, which aims to highlight how becoming an Army Officer is a highly-skilled career that offers world-class leadership training, challenges, and the opportunity to do something that makes a difference.
General Paul Nanson, Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst: “Graduates who choose to train as British Army Officers receive world-class opportunities for skills development from the moment they join the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
“The officer training programme will contribute to a Master’s degree and individuals are nurtured and encouraged to develop themselves by internationally recognised academics, as well as some of the most respected soldiers in the British Army.
“Our support network is second to none, with training delivered progressively, building on the natural talent every individual brings to us. This support and continuous development will last throughout your career; and can even start while you are at university, with generous bursaries for exceptional talent.
“British Army Officers are given real opportunities to make a positive difference to the world on a daily basis, whether they serve for a full career or just a few years.
“That meaningful purpose is something we know today’s new generation of leaders is looking for.”
In addition to greater development opportunities and pride in their role, Liverpool’s graduate employees also crave more opportunities to exercise to be fitter and healthier (30%). Currently only 24% of respondents in Liverpool feel their organisation takes an active interest in their health and fitness.
Olympic gold medallist, Major Heather Stanning, lends her support to this year’s With Heart With Mind Officer recruitment campaign and said: “I’ve always had an interest in the Army, it’s something that started at a young age.
“After discovering my passion for rowing at university, like most students I reached the point where I needed to decide on a career path to pursue.
“The Army still captured my interest due to their support for taking part in sports, and the chance to try out adventure training such as parachute jumps and deep-sea diving.
“I’d encourage students to take a look at what the Army has to offer when it comes to weighing up career options.”
Lt Nick Clarke, Troop Commander, 22 Signal Regiment, will be attending the event and said: “I joined the British Army because I was looking for an enjoyable job and wanted to do something a bit different.
“The active nature of the job appealed to me as well – there aren’t many careers where keeping fit is a core skillset!
“Since joining I have had a great range of opportunities. I have participated in a large multinational exercise in the Baltics and have just returned from a tour at US Central Command in Florida, supporting a British cell that works alongside the US planning team that coordinate the fight against ISIS.
“The highlight of my time in the Army has been working within the Queen’s Gurkha Signals – it is an absolute privilege to work with Gurkha soldiers and I hope to go to Nepal next year to conduct Nepalese language training and learn more about Nepalese culture.
“The extra-curricular activities within the Army have been fantastic – I have been on numerous mountaineering expeditions and whilst at Sandhurst I learned to scuba dive in Cyprus!
“I have also been exposed to a whole range of new sporting opportunities, including competition shooting, mountain biking and tug of war.”
The Army has begun a tour of the UK’s universities, which this week (Wednesday and Thursday) will visit the University of Liverpool.
This will provide students with the opportunity to find out more about Army careers, put their leadership skills to the test in a challenging planning exercise or even try out a parachute jump through virtual reality headsets.
By improving awareness and understanding of what the Army does, the ‘With Heart. With Mind’ campaign shows that there is more to the British Army than combat roles.
Graduates who are serious about shaping their future and realising their potential can find out more information about the role of an Army Officer by searching ‘Army Officer Jobs’, visit www.army.mod.uk/officer or call 0345 700 1700.