Ian Lewis shares their CIPD Level 3 Diploma experience

Ian Lewis has spent his entire career, almost 40 years, in the military. Ian is about to make the move from Army life to “Civvy” street, probably the biggest change of his life! A dedicated Professional, Ian is a keen advocate for life-long learning and the benefits this can bring to the individual and those around them. As part of his preparation for the career change Ian has completed his CIPD Level 3 Diploma with DLC Training. Now he has achieved his qualification, Ian has kindly agreed to share his story and his experience with us.

Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions about yourself, your career and your studies Ian. We are delighted that you are happy to share your story. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?  

I am a 55 year old male who has been in the army for the last 39 1/2 years. I left school at the age of 16, with no qualifications, after finding I was not ready for learning at an early age. Since then I have worked hard to ensure my life learning provides my enough qualifications to allow me to feel confident stepping out into a new career, which I will be doing later this year. I have 3 children who all went to private schools and then through university. I am dyslexic but have always worked hard to achieve qualifications. I have a level 7 qualification, 1 level 6, 2 level 5, 2 level 4 and about 4- 5 level 3.  I have progressed throughout my military career to reach the highest rank of an OR.

What is your job role Ian and what does it entail?

I am an Infantryman, but for the last 19 years have worked in welfare supporting the needs of our service man and their families. From either end of the spectrum, I provide advice on debt, to bereavement, alcohol abuse, self-harm and career management.

In my current role I work in planning for the British forces in Germany. Germany closes this year and all the forces are withdrawing to U.K; personnel, families, cats, dogs rabbits…… some people have been here their whole life and have never visited U.K, being children of pre families or commonwealth family’s. Change is a worrying time and it has to be managed and communicated in the correct manner.

My team of eight are responsible for planning the entire operation. We need to more the entire army base; People, vehicles, tanks, stores, weapons. The withdrawal has been happening over the last 7 years and this is the final part, we still have to move around 8,000 people. As a team we arrange everything from removals, booking ferries and hotels, manage the move out of and in to new accommodation and allocation of housing. I liaise with stakeholders, contractors in U.K. and Germany to ensure everything is managed correctly in a 3 month transaction window.

Each arrangement we make must be compliant with European law governing the movement of troops and weapons across native boarders on a daily basis, along with immigration law for our commonwealth families. To achieve this I spend about 9 hours a day on an excel spread sheet with is made up of about 2 million cells. This allows me to manage, track and search all change requests. Anyone who requests a change of date, travel, accommodation or other has to put that through me to allow me to sift, and change the priority moves against our daily allocation. To do this successfully I must take into account the 8000 people’s final destination is not the same place. These individuals are relocating to the U.K., Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cyprus, Brussels, to name a few places.

Can you talk us through your career progression to date?

My educational career progression route was slow and within my own limitations as I progressed with confidence. I was always a hands on communicator not a pen and paper person. I found that my strength was in people, so I did courses around supporting people. This included counselling, mediation, workplace investigations or welfare. I needed an interest in the subject to help me keep focused.

You have certainly had a very busy career so far Ian. Now you are looking to progress in a different direction can you tell us which course you choose and why?

I have just completed the CIPD Level 3 Diploma. Having been to two employment fairs recently, in preparation for when I leave the army the people and companies I spoke with all liked my knowledge and course qualifications along with I had been able to map them within a critical area. They all said I was very employable but to get through the door of a U.K. business I really needed CIPD to demonstrate my rounded knowledge and have the icing to the cake, so to speak. Being in Germany and unable to attend workshops I had to find a distance learning course, I was also wanted to ensure I choose a company with tutor support.

Congratulations on completing your studies Ian. Have you been able to use your new found knowledge within the workplace yet?

Having done the learning it has lifted me and allows me to better support other members of staff. I has also given me a great insight to the bigger picture of HR.  I find that I have a greater understanding of supporting, managing and restoring efficiency when required within the law.

Now you have achieved your qualification and can reflect on your learning journey, would you recommend studying for a CIPD Qualification with DLC Ian?

I have already recommended this course to other employees! Especially who feel this course would benefit their portfolio of learning.

How you found your learning experience overall Ian?

I found the learning very interesting, progression was steep at times and I had to resubmit work one or twice but this gave me a greater understanding as I has to deepen my reading and understanding to better explain my answers and reasons. Some of the assignments I had an understanding off or similar, but others were very outside my existing knowledge, which was done for a reason – to broaden my knowledge. I did on occasion find the time delay between submitting work and getting it marked frustrating but that was my own need. The tutors support many learners and work within a different term time than myself.  I soon got over my childish frustrations. The college do explain their marking and feedback timescales before you begin your course.

I did struggle answering some of the questions where I needed to use examples from my work history as some Army regulations and processes are not used/accepted in a civilian workplace, having left school in 1980 and have never had any other employer I found this a difficult task. I worked with my new Tutor to understand the situation and we worked together to resolve it. I was very grateful to have a wonderful Tutor, her approach was supportive, open communication, gave appreciated feedback and constructive comments. This allowed my learning to be enjoyable and I couldn’t wait for her feedback back (even if it was negative).

Now you have had time to think about your CIPD Studies Ian, how are you feeling?

I am so pleased I did it and I will definitely continue my development. So many people in the military can benefit from this training. There is educational grants out to support learning but CIPD is not recognised enough in the military measured to civilian life and it should be as it is a great way for others in a similar position to myself and about to transition from military life to civilian to gain the insight and knowledge needed to make the move a successful one.