The doors are Open at Finchale

Off By Sharon Black

Training and Support for the Armed Forces Serving and Veterans

Lieutenant Colonel Mel Pears MBE (pictured) served as a soldier, rising through the ranks to RSM, New College RMA Sandhurst. Commissioning service concluded as the Commanding Officer of Personnel Recovery Unit (PRU) Catterick.

Discharged in April 2014 following 39 very happy years’ service, he currently heads up all veterans services at Finchale Training College as Head of Veterans Services and Business Development.

It is taking the time to understand the need of soldiers and officers which is paramount to Finchale. What happens when you discharge, how it affects you and your family members is what they excel in.

We have developed an end-to-end, transitional, supported programme under one roof at Finchale. This bespoke service is flexible, funded and will cater for most needs – and, if we cannot address something, then we will signpost it to a credible professional.

Veterans Services: supporting veterans since 1943

Finchale College was founded in 1943 as a resettlement centre for veterans.

Over the past year 2014-15 200+ veterans have been welcomed through its doors engaging with veterans service. They are a specialist provider offering employment-focused training and transitional support to serving and veterans alike.

All of their programmes are customised to address individual need, bring together a wide range of specialist support to achieve vocational qualifications and sustained employment.

The service works on a case management basis: each veteran is assigned a caseworker, who offers contact within 48 hours, to begin to address the veteran’s immediate needs; social, welfare and health issues.

Your Employment coach is available to help with letters/CV writing, interview techniques or self-employment. You can enrol in one of Finchale’s many in-house vocational training courses – such as IT, accountancy, electrical, construction and horticulture – Become a resident or daily attender whilst training and allow the team to carry out job searches on your behalf. An in-work follow-up service is also available to each individual.