MEMBERS of the Armed Forces leaving the frontline for civvy street can make a big difference to the North Yorkshire economy.

That is the rallying cry from the Federation of Small Business (FSB) North Yorkshire branch, which has 3,000 regional members.

Its chairman, Simon Williams, who left the Royal Military Police after 16 years and now runs Yes Couriers in York, has made an impassioned plea to the Government to heed a report calling for help for ex-services personnel to become self-employed.

The report, From The Frontline To Civvy Street, produced by the FSB and the charity Heropreneurs, calls on the Government to work with the business community to ensure that its resettlement programme is fit for purpose and to ensure that all service leavers are given adequate help to find a job or to set up their own business.

Mr Williams said: “Within North Yorkshire, due to the proximity of large barracks such as Catterick and Strensall we have numerous ex-service members all of whom have set up very successful businesses.

“Even so, it is a concern that self-employment is not promoted fully to those people that leave the Armed Forces and we urge the Government to look at the reasons why. It is more important than ever that people are given the skills and the opportunity to start their own businesses.”

The campaign also strikes a personal chord with James Allen, the Federation of Small Business’ York secretary.

He said: “Prior to medical discharge in late 2003, I was 25029866 Sgt Allen J, Royal Army Medical Corps.

“Fifteen months after I left and with several varying jobs under my belt, I set up a business almost by accident after the owner of a local health and safety training company who had offered me a temporary contract, chose to retire and gave me the opportunity to buy the company name, a desk, chair and phone line.

“It has been the direct result of my military training: persistence, work ethic, turning my hand to anything, always looking to improve and significant competitive spirit that has enabled me not only to compete, but succeed in the civilian marketplace.

“Over the past five years I have seen turnover increase from £40,000 to over £100,000 and repeat business grow by 350 per cent. I thought I had lost my career when I left the Army, I didn’t realise it had been the training for my next career.”

Support services for people leaving Armed Forces

WITH 2.5 million people in the UK unemployed and 75,000 people set to leave the Armed Forces within the next two years, the FSB and Heropreneurs want the Government to –

• Establish a ‘Discharge Commission’ to co-ordinate all existing support for service leavers to help find a career or set up their own business.

• Help service leavers to translate military experience and qualifications into a format that future employers or business backers understand.

• Ensure that the Ministry of Defence works with outside recruitment consultancies, charities and business organisations.

• Create a life-long entrepreneurial culture within the forces which begins at cadet stage and carries through to service, so starting up a business is seen as a viable option.