RAF Halton Employer Engagement Success
Forty delegates from influential national employers had positive words to say after being put through a package of field and team-based leadership challenges hosted by the Royal Air Force Reserves Employer Engagement teamat RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire recently.This was the second such annual event. It showed the military skills that reservists can transfer back into their civilian roles and created interest in joining the RAF Reserves for numbers of delegates.
In one intensive day delegates experienced all three course levels run by the Airmen’s Command Squadron (ACS) at the station.Each level challenged and stimulated development of a host of personal qualities and skills including leadership, self-understanding, team dynamics, personality, communication skills, team management, initiative, lateral thinking and problem solving.
Tackling all three levels meant delegates stepped up to new challenges every few hours throughout the day, with the RAF’s ACS expert trainers providing full context about each course’s aims.
It also showed the military skills that reservists can transfer back into their civilian roles and created interest in joining the RAF Reserves for numbers of delegates.
Flt Lt Chester Myers, Acting Officer Commanding ACS, said: “Although at first the candidates were naturally hesitant about what was to come, the enthusiasm of both the candidates and the Instruction Staff has been first class; breaking the ice and making this an incredible experience for all.
From what I have seen throughout the two days, everyone involved positively approached all tasks with humour and resilience; particularly given regular exposure to some classic British weather. I am fully confident that this brief introduction to team management, effective communication and lateral thinking will empower them to make more effective leadership decisions in their individual workplaces.”
Delegates’ positive comments included:
Sean Downey, Programme Manager with Arqiva Ltd., Daventry, Northants, believed: “This was my first exposure to military training, it gave me a chance to step back from managing and leading my day-job team, to think about what I am doing, a great experience.”
Said Kathrine Howarth, Clinical Coding Manager, Hampshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust: “This was a different approach to developing leadership styles. It was energetic, mentally challenging and it brought out my team skills as well. I have always wanted to be part of the armed forces and I can now look at the reserves.”
Petrina Wright, Head of Data and Information with Arqiva Ltd., Daventry, Northants, said: “It was brilliant, the practical tasks brought everything to life, unlike being in a classroom, it made me realise the need for strategy and planning by example.”
