Request for assistance: Short Questionnaire for degree research.

[Photoplanet]

Greetings one and all;

I am currently undertaking a BSc (Hons) Engineering Management degree course at the University of Lincoln.

As part of my research for the dissertation phase, I am attempting to determine what might be successful future strategies to achieve optimum balance between manpower (numbers) and skills (experience and ability).

It would be greatly appreciated, if you could take a few minutes to complete the short questionnaire at the link below. It is only 10 questions, multiple choice with optional comments, and anonymous in that no names, email addresses or personally identifiable service details will be requested.

Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3B9LQVF

Many thanks in advance;

Nigel Whitaker.

[Mal Drop]

If it's not already in the parameters for your literature search, try 'URCMR'.

The Uniform Regular Core Manpower Requirement (URCMR) was a manpower drawdown exercise carried out whilst I was at HQSTC in the mid-90s and which attempted to place every single uniformed post in the RAF against a set of skills. One of the engineers in my office was railroaded onto the team as the entire exercise was set up as an Access database and he was vaguely aware of software beyond WordPerfect (which we were using at the time).

[Photoplanet]

Thanks for the research tip, Mal Drop. I'll look into it, alongside many other leads that the project has generated.

[Photoplanet]

Many thanks for those of you who have already taken the time to complete the short questionnaire.

The survey is still open and available, and so far, the results have been 'interesting', and not entirely what I was anticipating, but that is the nature and purpose of research !

Thank you in advance to those yet to take part.

Link to survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3B9LQVF

[Whenurhappy]

Done it, thanks. I've worked in three countries that have had (or had) National Service. In principle, it's a good idea but in practise - in the three countries that I have worked - it is a huge waste of resources. Conscripts are given make-work jobs, or worse, and used to run officers' club (hotels), become live-in servants, get 'loaned' to local businesses, you name it.

[Pontius Navigator]

Oh, Whenurhappy!

In Nav training we had a number of WRAF who served early morning tea and made up the rooms amongst other services. They were e of a shape of young girl s given unlimited access to chips and beans.

At the second Nav School we had one airman to look after 16 of us. He stayed in our barracks block and apart from a monthly inspection no one bothered him.

You do need a positive programme to avoid make weight jobs.

Technical jobs might be focussed on training in a disciplined environment with the aim of producing a technician rather than soldier, sailor, etc. For others concentrate on education but in a military environment. To try an integrate them in to a professional service would be wrong as there is a limit to what can be achieved in 2 years.

[Photoplanet]

Once again, thank you, all who have taken part thus far...

I plan to close the survey on Friday evening, so there's still a couple of days to contribute, if you wish. The response has been impressive, and the results 'interesting' at first glance.

Thank you in advance to those yet to take part.

Link to survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3B9LQVF