RAF personnel get better opportunities for professional development
Personnel in the Royal Air Force are getting official recognition for their management and leadership capabilities because of a new partnership with the Chartered Management Institute. The alliance, which guarantees fast-track institute membership to all RAF personnel, means individuals have access to professional development and qualifications, as well as management information and advice to hone their new expertise.
The partnership will allow RAF personnel to complete nationally recognized qualifications in management and leadership. The Diploma in Management,Executive Diploma in Management and Executive Diploma in Strategic Management take between six months and a year to complete. The courses cover core skills in team work, communication, resource management, how to maximize team performance and strategic team management, all of which are transferable to other professions. The programs are designed to help individuals in their current and future roles, even if they choose to leave the RAF for a civilian occupation.
RAF personnel who use the scheme will have access to the institute’s resources, including up-to-date research and a network of other managers in many fields. They can also send specific questions to institute, on a range of issues from how to manage change effectively, interview techniques or how to give a good appraisal.
Air marshall SGG Dalton commented: “As part of its strategy for investing in people, the RAF is committed to lifelong learning and the acquisition of transportable skills. Key to this is the recognition of skills developed through military experience and training and translating these into qualifications that civilian employers understand and respect.”
Jo Causon, director of marketing and corporate affairs for the institute,said: “At a time when organizations are struggling to find the best talent, the RAF’s commitment to improving the skills of its staff is commendable. Organizations across all sectors should realize that individuals want to progress and will look elsewhere if development opportunities are not available.”
As part of the scheme, the institute’s membership levels have been mapped with the RAF’s internal ranking structure and promotion courses so individuals can join at a level that matches their experience. Flying officers,pilot officers, first-tour flight sergeants and sergeants qualify for associate status and ranks above flight lieutenant can become full members. To become a Fellow of the Institute, individuals need to have achieved wing-commander or group-captain status and above.
