|
Bad Form
My daughter, a qualified hospital doctor thought she'd like to join the RAF reserves. Long story short........after several visits and phone calls to the recruiting office (who blamed the base) and the base in question........nothing.....not even an acknowledgement!
I was shocked and so was she. She thought she'd at least get some form of acknowledgement. She's now lost all faith and interest......I can't blame her! She's off to join her brother (ex Royal Engineers) in Australia. Is no one interested anymore? What a bloody shame!:ugh: |
That's what happens when you outsource part of the recruitment process. You will find lots of potential recruits with the same story.
|
I'd like to say it was an unfortunate one off, but I don't think it's the case. Is Capita doing all Reserves recruiting or just Army Reserves? If it's the former, then it may be less to do with the RAF per se and more to do with Capita who haven't exactly covered themselves in glory if tales are to be believed.
|
Foolishly gents, I just expected better. I may well be wrong but I suspect the Aussies will be happy to see her.:(
|
Mop, I agree, I think the Aussies will be very happy to see her. And the whole thing is shameful. One question, have you told the MoD what has happened? I think you should; if for no other reason but letting them know the flaws in their wonderful, cost-saving, get-the-best for the Armed Forces out-sourcing is losing good people like that.
It has become common practice in many areas in the private and public sectors not to reply to applicants, but that does not make it right for the Armed Forces. |
To dispel a myth here, Capita has little to no part to play in RAF recruiting. It is all in house, so if the ball was dropped, it was dropped by the RAF.
All capita provide to the RAF is infrastructure in Army sponsored careers offices and medicals to candidates. For further clarity, you cannot join the reserves through an AFCO (Armed Forces Careers Office). You join through the reserve Squadron you wish to join. Happy to clarify any points further if anyone has any interest in the process....:\ |
For further clarity, you cannot join the reserves through an AFCO (Armed Forces Careers Office) Suspect the main problem is that very few people actually want to, though. P |
It suggests here -
https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/r...dical-officer/ - That they are actively looking for reserve medics, and that there is a robust application process and a detailed 'career' structure. - That you can phone (appears to go straight to medical recruitment) - email them, or visit in person to an AFCO or RAF Recruitment Centre. The website also shows specific RAF recruiting presence at a ginormous list of events (airshows, job fairs etc) across the country - 50 listed from now to November) You have to follow the €-trail to find it all, but it is all there with a few clicks. Sounds like the OP's Daughter was given a right rogue runaround - but thereagain, I can't speak for the accuracy of the website stuff above either. ....LFH PS - It also says you can contact them via 'social channels' too - Is that like .... If you happen to do coffee or bridge with the local Staish's wife ? |
Isn't the RAF short of docs? I'd have thought they'd bite her hand off!
Quite shocking, and more than a little embarrassing on the part of the RAF. |
Mop ...
In support of Courtney's sound advice above ... It's probably better to provide your feedback to a named individual. Air Commodore Chris Luck MBE RAF Cranwell Sleaford Lincs NG34 8HB He is Commandant of the RAF College Cranwell, but also Director of Recruitment and Initial Officer Training (RAF). He's quite vocal on Twitter about the RAF recruiting process and it's importance ... so he should be interested in your daughters experience. |
CS - nice guy and very genuine - met him at the Towers Reunion weekend 3 weeks ago
|
Surley, if the MOD want the reserves thing to work then potential recruits should be able to make the initial approach at ANY MOD Establishment/Office/Recruitment Centre, with the Service then following the enquiry up within a reasonable time, say 72 hours?
With todays modern communications and the multiple options provided to communicate it really shouldnt be hard to achieve. The difficult bit is making the reserves (and full time service) attractive to people so they actually want to join and the Services (helped by the Govt) are spectacularly failing in that respect! Bring back the high street careers office! |
Courtney.....I feel like doing that. She's a determined and gutsy girl, who doesn't give up easily. To be honest, I know she's very disappointed and disillusioned. I suspect you served in a different Air Force to the one we have now. That's not a pop at those out there at the sharp end, but the bureaucrats who've proliferated.
downsizer.... For further clarity, you cannot join the reserves through an AFCO (Armed Forces Careers Office). You join through the reserve Squadron you wish to join. Happy to clarify any points further if anyone has any interest in the process.... I have to agree with Phil R......wouldn't anyone start their quest at a recruitment office??? Coff......that's a great steer. Just so we're clear.....she visited the recruitment office twice.......they were apologetic. Assured her that someone from the base in question would DEFFO contact her. She rang said base several times and left messages......nothing. Maybe she was unlucky? Many thanks for your words of wisdom.....I'll have a word with her. Apart from anything, the Aussies have already got a "fine son of England"....I don't want them claiming my daughter too!!!!!!! Best Mopardave |
oh......one other thing. My motivation here is NOT to drop anyone in the sh*t.....not my style.
cheers gents mop |
Mop - Why not if they are not "delivering"-
|
Wander00
Fair point....I can't argue with that.:( |
Originally Posted by Phil_R
(Post 9082996)
That's... well, deeply counterintuitive. If I wanted to join the reserves, that's the first place I'd go.
|
Originally Posted by Always a Sapper
(Post 9083030)
Surley, if the MOD want the reserves thing to work then potential recruits should be able to make the initial approach at ANY MOD Establishment/Office/Recruitment Centre, with the Service then following the enquiry up within a reasonable time, say 72 hours?
Originally Posted by Always a Sapper
(Post 9083030)
Bring back the high street careers office!
|
Nothing new!
I once took an aircraft to Biggin to display at their Air Day. Stayed in the Mess and asked my sister (qualified new doc at Guys) to join me for the evening to see if she fancied the Air Force. After ten minutes in the bar I was asked to 'remove' her to the (empty) Ladies' Room. Tried to explain - whereupon PMC turned nasty! Sister and I left for a local pub. End of interest,
|
Originally Posted by mopardave
(Post 9083037)
Courtney.....I feel like doing that. She's a determined and gutsy girl, who doesn't give up easily. To be honest, I know she's very disappointed and disillusioned. I suspect you served in a different Air Force to the one we have now. That's not a pop at those out there at the sharp end, but the bureaucrats who've proliferated.
downsizer.... yup, she did all that. I have to agree with Phil R......wouldn't anyone start their quest at a recruitment office??? Coff......that's a great steer. Just so we're clear.....she visited the recruitment office twice.......they were apologetic. Assured her that someone from the base in question would DEFFO contact her. She rang said base several times and left messages......nothing. Maybe she was unlucky? Many thanks for your words of wisdom.....I'll have a word with her. Apart from anything, the Aussies have already got a "fine son of England"....I don't want them claiming my daughter too!!!!!!! Best Mopardave What should have happened is if she went to the AFCO they would point her in the direction of the appropriate Sqn. They are the SMEs in reserve recruiting especially Medical, which is even more niche. If she made contact with the Sqn, they should have at least got back in touch with her in some manner. To actually start the joining process she would have needed to phone and register her interest with the number listed on the RAFs website. This would have resulted in her having a case raised and this would have been handed to the reserve Sqn who should have been in contact to invite her to a Sqn Open day and the process rolled on from there. 100% if she did this she would have been contacted (or serious heads should roll). |
| All times are GMT. The time now is 20:18. |
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.