PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

General Information

Personal Development comprises those activities leading to personal improvement in education and skills, leading to qualifications or accreditation. Such activities may be linked to career or professional goals or other aims such as long-term plans for transition to civilian life, or for pure interest and enjoyment. Personal Development involves a personal election and is distinct from career and professional development, which is primarily concerned with career preparation and training required to fulfil the needs of the military appointment or the military role.

Flexible thinking patterns and the ability to use skills in a variety of circumstances are reinforced by Personal Development and by the encouragement of learning in the widest possible context. By providing learning opportunities in line with Government recommendations, the Armed Forces will not only ensure that service personnel are better able to cope with the demands of the future, but will also encourage them to remain in the Armed Forces to secure further qualifications, rather than depart early to seek them elsewhere.

Personal Development advice is all around and is often provided by friends more than through any official system. Professional military and career advice is often linked to more general advice and from time to time individuals will seek advice on educational and training courses, and sources of funding, outside the military career stream. This type of advice is usually best provided by the local Service Education Centres.

Learndirect is a free source of educational and personal development advice for individuals. They can be contacted via their helpline telephone (0800 100 900). The operators have access to details of every training and education course, including extra mural courses, run by any government recognised training provider in England. They can also give general advice on steps towards qualifications and funding. Unfortunately Learndirect only provides advice on provision and funding in England and is unable to give advice tailored specifically to military needs.

Professionally qualified Education Officers and Individual Education and Resettlement Officers (IERO) can provide detailed advice on educational and personal development, designed for the military.

The Armed Forces are committed to maintaining Investors in People (IiP) recognition. IiP aims to link the training and development needs of individual service personnel to the operational needs of the Armed Forces. The supporting Personal Development advice provided in units, provide strong evidence of the Armed Forces compliance with the four IiP principles, providing strong historic and current evidence of: