Half of UK public unaware of IT roles in British Army
One in two people do not know IT and communication roles are available as careers in the army
About half of the UK public is unaware that the British Army offers careers in IT and communications, according to a survey.
In research carried out for the Army, One Poll found that 45% of 2,000 respondents did not know the army offers careers in communications and only 52% were aware that it offers careers in IT.
Almost two-thirds of respondents were unaware that the Army Reserve offers paid roles and two-fifths did not know Army Reserve roles are flexible, fitting around people's day jobs and personal lives.
Meanwhile, the Royal Corps of Signals is currently recruiting for a range of roles essential for maintaining and operating the army’s advanced communication systems, computer networks, electronic warfare assets and electronic force protection equipment, and managing cable infrastructure, local and wide area networks and tactical and strategic networks.
Jobs with the Royal Corps of Signals include:
- Communication systems operator
- Communication systems engineer
- Electronic warfare systems operator
- Installation technician
- Communication logistic specialist
- Electrician
Many of the roles require no GCSEs or previous specialist training. All recruits are offered the chance to complete an apprenticeship and gain professional trade qualifications for use in civilian life.
Lance Corporal Simon Mitchell, Royal Signals, said: “The army is a great place to become a real expert in communications systems. Not only will you get paid while you gain professional trade qualifications, you will be working on systems that are essential in making sure the army can operate effectively in warfare and on exercise.
“I would urge anyone who is interested in IT and communications and who thinks they might have what it takes, to check out some of the jobs available.”
More on IT skills
- Shortage of web analysts hindering UK businesses
- Government launches campaign to boost STEM interest
- Females in IT shine in 100 Women to Watch list
- Most Influential Women in UK IT 2014: Nominations open
- Virgin invites 20,000 students to answer Big Digital Question
Major General Chris Tickell, director general, Army Recruiting and Training Division, said: “The army is restructuring to ensure regular and reserve soldiers are fully integrated into one force, training and working alongside each other. This campaign reflects that and will kick-start our 2014 activity to recruit new full-time soldiers and increase the trained strength of part-time soldiers.
“We hope to do this by challenging public perceptions that the army purely consists of frontline combat roles. We want to show potential recruits who are perhaps thinking about how they can improve their careers and lives that there is much more to the army than meets the eye.”
Earlier this year, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond announced the army’s recruitment campaign, ‘More than meets the eye’, which aims to show what a career in the army is really like, correcting people’s misconceptions.
