§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are being taken to increase the numbers joining the armed forces; and what measures he is taking to increase recruitment into the armed forces from Commonwealth countries. [144797]
§ Mr. CaplinAll three Services undertake numerous and varied initiatives, both at national and local level, aimed at increasing the level of recruitment to the armed forces. Included amongst the many current initiatives are
The use of multi-media advertising campaigns.Services' Recruiting Teams' attendance at schools, careers fairs and Graduate Recruitment Seminars, road shows, exhibitions, youth clubs and organisations.Work experience placements within Service Establishments.Personal Development Courses and Look at Life Courses for young people who express an interest in the armed forces.Taster Day visits to HM Ships and Service Establishments. A dedicated careers website for each of the Services.An Army 'on-line' recruiting office, with plans for this to be replicated by the other Services.Specialist Ethnic Minority Recruiting and Diversity Action Teams aimed at promoting Armed Forces careers amongst the United Kingdom's ethnic minority and faith communities.A Partnership with the 'Jobcentre Plus', making use of its network (totalling in excess of 1,100) of local outlets.Although Commonwealth citizens are entitled, on nationality eligibility grounds, to serve in the UK Armed Forces, the Services do not actively market armed forces careers in Commonwealth countries. Selection and recruitment team visits to Commonwealth countries are limited to those locations where numbers of expected applicants justify the effort and where an invitation to conduct visits has been received from the respective Government. Nevertheless, the Services do process applications from Commonwealth citizens who have travelled to the UK at their own volition for such a purpose.