Today, QA have co-signed the Armed Forces Covenant, with Brigadier Paul Buttery.

Through the Armed Forces Covenant, QA are pledging to support military spouses, service leavers, veterans, reservists, cadets and adult cadet volunteers, with training and career opportunities to help bridge the UK’s digital skills gap.

The Armed Forces Covenant

QA’s pledges within the Armed Forces Covenant to include:

• Training 1000 service leavers, veterans, reservists, military spouses, and cadet adult volunteers as part of the AWS (including employing a minimum of 100 as QA Consultants).
• Promoting technology apprenticeships to cadets (aged 16-18).
• Offering free and subsidised technology training to the Families Federations – Army, Navy and Air Force.
• Offering free and subsidised technology training to the Officers Association.
• Offering free and subsidised technology training to the Women’s Section – Royal British Legion.
• Promoting employment opportunities for service leavers and veterans in cyber security training through the Career Transition Partnership (CTP).

William MacPherson, QA’s CEO, who co-signed the Armed Forces Covenant with Brigadier Buttery said: “Technology is the fastest growing sector within the UK, and we are experiencing a chronic skills deficit. Service leavers, veterans, reservists, and cadets develop fantastic skills whilst serving. QA are able to bridge a gap with re-skilling and upskilling those seeking to work in civilian technology based jobs through classroom and online training programmes, with industry recognised accreditations and qualifications.”

MacPherson went on to say, “Given QA’s history with the Armed Forces, having trained over 6000 serving military, and 1600 service leavers, and knowing how they best learn, combined with our agility within the field of technology training, and our access to the UK’s industries, we have all the ingredients to make a significant impact on the skill gaps that we are experiencing, through this unique talent pool.”

Developing digital talent

QA have unprecedented access and insight access to UK industry, serving 80% of FTSE 250 as well as public sector organisations, developing digital talent by proving technology and business skills, and have, therefore, identified the most in-demand skills and talent requirements.

QA have identified significant potential in those who are serving or have served in the Armed Forces. Their strong interpersonal skills such as leadership, management, and confidence built up through their military training are highly transferable to the technology industry. Organisations in both the private and public sectors require highly motivated people who can bring fresh energy and ideas.

What happens upon completion of QA training?

After the AWS re:Start programme has been completed by the delegates, receiving free training and a work experience placement, they will be eligible to apply for the QA Academy in Manchester; expenses paid residential technology 12-week boot camp, and employment contract with a guaranteed salary as a QA Consultant, to work on client projects.

The roles that those involved will be able to go onto do following the training on the AWS re:Start initiative with QA include Junior Network Engineer, Software Developer, IT Support Technician, IT Recruitment Consultant, First Line Helpdesk support, IT Sales, IT Support Analyst, or could build their own tech business.

Edited from press release by Jordan Platt.