HC Deb 31 October 2001 vol 373 cc659-60W
Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent initiatives have been taken to increase the level of recruitment to the armed forces. [10571]

Mr. Ingram

All 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 among the many current initiatives areThe 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 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. Introduction by the Army of an '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 to ethnic minority communities. A partnership with the Employment Service, making use of its local outlets 'Jobcentre Plus'.

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