David Bill, Lieutenant General, tells Quest Sun about his...
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‘I could not have been more satisfied with my time at the Builder Training Centre. I have completed a wide range of courses, including bricklaying, plumbing, carpentry, tiling, plastering, kitchen fitting and electrical foundation. I have seen most of the instructors in action and made use of many of the training facilities on offer. All the instructors were most impressive – engaged, dedicated, patient and hugely knowledgeable. Equally, the facilities and the materials provided are first class. I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending the BTC to those who either wished significantly to improve their DIY skills and knowledge or those embarking on the first steps to a change of career. Meanwhile the administration of the centre is first class – approachable, efficient and proactive. I was also delighted with the accommodation provided – a delightfully friendly family atmosphere. Nothing was too much trouble.’ For further information call 0800 389 2775 or email [email protected]. See the advertisement on page 28. David Bill, Lieutenant General, tells Quest about his experiences of the Builder Training Centre in Croydon, Surrey … David Bill
Transcript of David Bill, Lieutenant General, tells Quest Sun about his...
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www.questonline.co.uk / September 2011
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Resettlement round-up
Victims of online stalking say mobile phoneoperators, internet service providers and
social networking sites aren’t doing enough tohelp them. Those are the initial findings ofresearch undertaken by the University ofBedfordshire’s National Centre forCyberstalking Research (NCCR).
The research project has been run inconjunction with the charity Network forSurviving Stalking, and shows that three in tencyberstalking victims feel let down by theirservice providers.
The NCCR was set up in a bid to addressthe need for research and analysis of thisincreased threat to individuals and society.Co-Director, Professor Carsten Maple, says,‘Clearly victims feel there is more that couldbe done by those providing services. Currentlyvictims cannot get a mobile phone operator toban calls or texts from a specified telephonenumber; if the abuse happened on a landlineproviders would certainly bar the number.
‘Equally, methods for reporting behaviourand subsequent action against perpetratorsthrough social networking sites and internetforums are felt to be inadequate.’
More than 350 people took part in thesurvey and the findings provide insight on theeffects of cyberstalking. Nearly half of allvictims reported giving up social activities andalmost 20% said it had caused theirrelationship to break down.
Dr Emma Short is a CharteredPsychologist at the University and Co-Directorof the Centre. She says: ‘The psychologicalimpact of cyberstalking should not beunderestimated. We screened victims for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and foundsimilar rates of trauma to those foundfollowing events recognised to be extremelytraumatic, such as sexual assaults or bombing.’
Alexis Bowater, Chief Executive ofNetwork for Surviving Stalking, says: ‘Theinternet has benefits for millions worldwide,but there is a hidden menace – cyberstalkingis a global epidemic and victims need help andsupport to know what to do and where to turnto when it’s happening to them. There is aneed for all service providers to come to thetable now and try to help find a solution.’
Downloadable copies of the report areavailable online at www.beds.ac.uk/echo.
See the advertisement on page 20.
Bedfordshire’scyberstalkingcentre uncoversalarming figures
Case study: Ian LockieRole: RAF Regiment GunnerForgotten Heroes Bursary Candidate 1Course taken: 22-day GREEN Solar PVInstallerServed: Iraq, Northern Ireland, Germany andBosnia
In 1998, following nine years’ service as anRAF Regiment Gunner, Ian Lockie, like
many others, left the Army in search of a newchallenge. This new challenge wasn’t withoutlimitations after Ian, a PTSD sufferer, foundthere was a lack of career prospects availableto him. He later found work as a satelliteengineer and then as a bus driver, but wasmade redundant in January of this year.Since his redundancy, Ian has struggled tofind work and, like many during these currentdifficult economic times, realised he neededto retrain to get back into employment.However, the dilemma was what to train inand how to fund that training?
‘Having spent my working life on my feet,I didn’t warm to the idea of being in an officesituation. I’ve always preferred hands-on workand was keen to seek training in that sort ofarea. When my wife showed me an article onTrade Skills 4U’s Forgotten Heroes bursary inthe Sun newspaper, I knew I had to apply!’
The scheme, titled ‘The ForgottenHeroes Bursary Scheme’, aims to give away£100,000 worth of free training to ex-Servicepersonnel who are struggling to findemployment due to injury, illness or a lackof support. This permanent offer is to armour heroes with practical qualifications inboth electrical and renewable industries, toenable them to carve a new career path onCivvy Street.
Shortly after applying, Ian was awarded aplace at the company’s open day in June byFalklands hero, Simon Weston OBE, andchose to complete the Solar PV Installer’sGREEN Package – a 22-day package thatenables a new entrant into the industry totrain as a domestic and solar PV installer.
After a successful four weeks of training,Ian, who completed the GREEN package inJuly, said ‘Trade Skills 4U have been greatand I am very thankful for this opportunity.It was hard studying again as I haven’t beenin this situation for more than 20 years, but Ihave been taught by some fantastic tutors,who have spurred me on from the start andmade the learning as enjoyable as possible.
‘My favourite bit about the training wasthe practical elements in the course. I reallyenjoyed getting up there in the workshopswith the guys and building installations; youreally get to see how far you’ve come. I’vejust finished the course now, and all my hardwork’s paid off! I can only look forward tothe future now, as I have a new career pathto discover.’
To see Ian Lockie’s full case study andupcoming bursary cases, visit the TS4U blogat www.tradeskills4u.co.uk/pages/tradeskills4u-blog. If you are interested inapplying for the bursary, please check outhttp://www.trade skills4u.co.uk/pages/free-training.
See the advertisement on page 29.
Case study: building trades
‘I could not have been moresatisfied with my time at theBuilder Training Centre. Ihave completed a wide rangeof courses, includingbricklaying, plumbing,carpentry, tiling, plastering,kitchen fitting and electricalfoundation. I have seen mostof the instructors in actionand made use of many of thetraining facilities on offer. Allthe instructors were mostimpressive – engaged,dedicated, patient and hugelyknowledgeable. Equally, the facilities and thematerials provided are first class. I would haveabsolutely no hesitation in recommending the
BTC to those who either wishedsignificantly to improve theirDIY skills and knowledge orthose embarking on the firststeps to a change of career.Meanwhile the administration ofthe centre is first class –approachable, efficient andproactive. I was also delightedwith the accommodationprovided – a delightfully friendlyfamily atmosphere. Nothing wastoo much trouble.’For further information call 0800
389 2775 or [email protected].
See the advertisement on page 28.
David Bill, Lieutenant General, tells Quest about his experiences of the BuilderTraining Centre in Croydon, Surrey …
From left to right: Simon Weston OBE, Ian Lockie, our
second bursary candidate Golden Zimmaestro, and Carl
Bennett, Managing Director.
David Bill
