ISSUE 16 : DECEMBER 2015 NEWS FROM THE ROYAL SCHOOL OF MILITARY ENGINEERING GROUP

Inside: MD’s View – Three Years In Instructor Life Minley MT

Training for Operations and Contingency 2 DECEMBER 2015 rsme matters

Special

HOLDFAST SPECIAL The ground-breaking strategic partnership referred to by Comdt, Brig David Southall OBE in the RSME Group vision is with Holdfast Training Services Ltd. The partnership came into being on 1 January 2009 and is now almost seven years in to a 30- year contract...

We’re always looking for new parts of the RSME to explore and share within RSME Matters. If you’d like us to tell your story then just let us know.

Ian Clowes, Editor, RSME Matters 07930 982 661 [email protected] DECEMBER 2015 3 rsme matters

Contents Features Introduction ...... 4 04 MD’s View – Three Years In ...... 4

New Role ...... 9

Instructor Life ...... 10

New Accommodation ...... 14

Holdfast special

MD’S VIEW – THREE YEARS IN Drink Driving ...... 17 Much has happened in the past three and a half years since I took up my post as Managing Director Holdfast... Read more on page 4 Gas Investment ...... 18

Minley MT ...... 21

Holdfast Reserve ...... 24 10 14

Oshkosh ...... 26

Cherished Memories ...... 27

Draughtsman ...... 30

INSTRUCTOR LIFE NEW ACCOMMODATION Looking back over the first 15 issues A significant milestone was of RSME Matters, you can’t fail to recognised in November with the be impressed by the range of skilled opening of a new accommodation and experienced staff including block at Minley... instructors and lecturers within the Read more on page 14 team... Read more on page 10 21 27

Cover: Members of the MT team inspecting one of the fleet of Holdfast vehicles at Minley MINLEY MT CHERISHED MEMORIES Inside cover: Holdfast Apprentice Josh Williams One of the areas that most Chatham Station hosted a visit by Photography: All images except where stated visitors to Gibraltar Barracks the Cherished Memories charity by Ian Clowes www.goldysolutions.co.uk often miss is at the bottom of the on 8 October following the Chief of Design and production: Plain Design www.plaindesign.co.uk main site. This is the home of the the General Staff’s approval of the Holdfast Motor Transport (MT) charity’s request to visit the Army... Printed on FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) activities... Read more on page 21 Read more on page 27 certified paper, which supports the growth of responsible forest management worldwide. 4 DECEMBER 2015 rsme matters

Introduction

Welcome to the latest edition of RSME Matters. It’s almost seven years since the start of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) that saw Holdfast Training Services begin the partnership with the MoD. In this issue, we take a look at the breadth and depth of the training and support provided by Holdfast in our special feature. In addition, Holdfast MD John Wadham MD’s View – takes time out to reflect on his first three years in post, detailing the growing partnership and highlighting some of the many achievements the Three Years In RSME has made during that time. Much has happened in the past the strength of the partnership; a recent We also meet the two Design three and a half years since I took nomination for an Institute of Collaborative Draughtsman disciplines and learn up my post as Managing Director Working national award is testament to about the redevelopment of the gas Holdfast. Structurally, there have been this success. training area within Heating and some changes including a transfer of Plumbing. Out and about, we learn shareholding from Carillion to InfraRed TRAINING more about Reservist Tim Bourne, and the integration of Babcock Defence The student is at the heart of everything an experienced plant operator and Services and Babcock Infrastructure into we do. Importantly, in the past three member of the Holdfast Combat one entity (Babcock RSME) as well as years, there have been no attributable Engineering Support Team and join the passing of several big milestones, the training failures, the quality of the trained Holdfast’s Colin Freeman as he teaches most significant of which is the recent soldier leaving the RSME is as high as the Engineers how to use chainsaws completion of the seven-year build phase. it has ever been and many Sappers for both route denial and clearance. This included the alienation of the RSME continue to be released to the Field estate at Lodge Hill, Kitchener Barracks, Army well ahead of their nominal release We learn what life is like for instructors Yantlet Demolition Range and Minley date. In addition to the Statement of and their families, as the RSME Manor. Operationally, it has been an Training Task (SOTT) courses, Holdfast becomes firmly established as a equally busy time in which performance has recently supported the trial for the solid rung on the career ladder for across the board has remained strong Reserve Artisan courses in Carpentry, all Engineers. Support of a different and I personally would like to thank all Bricklaying and Concreting and has kind was provided to the Cherished those involved in the delivery of training delivered a wealth of Mission Specific Memories charity; David Bowen and services for their contribution. Whilst Training (MST) including multiple courses reports on the recent visit to Chatham the performance statistics speak for in support of Project ANEMOI, a £28M by a group of youngsters who certainly themselves, key to our success remains construction project based in the Falkland left with some real memories, leaving behind many members of the RSME who were moved by the experience.

Drink driving; everyone knows that you shouldn’t do it but Laura Wilkins and the safety team at the RSME took the message to students and instructors with their hands-on seminar. Continuing with the transport theme, we meet Paul Davies and the Motor Transport team at Minley to learn more about what they do.

RSME Matters issue 17 will launch in the Spring of 2016. If you’d like to be part of that issue, contact the Editor, details on page 3, to share your stories. DECEMBER 2015 5 rsme matters

Islands that will be carried out by Royal Trust Brilliant Award 2015 in recognition To support training, Holdfast has created Engineers from 8 Engineer Brigade. of excellence in the teaching of building some excellent training and learning services engineering. spaces; at Chatham the Soldier Space As you have been made aware in previous provides a combination of relaxation and editions of RSME Matters, many of the Whilst it is always good to receive such social space with a learning support area trade courses at Chatham have been public recognition, I equally value the complete with computer work stations subject to a transformation process. This comments of our external examiners and WiFi. At Minley, the recently opened process which combines modern and and assessors. To date, the feedback Burgoyne Centre provides a multi-purpose blended learning techniques with the aim received has been really positive and WiFi-enabled learning space that is flexible of teaching students ‘how to think, not whilst there have been many good enough to accommodate groups of various sizes with break-out rooms and smart “ PEW is a very good example of a well- board equipped seminar rooms. Also at integrated programme of academic Minley, the Command Training Facility (CTF) which utilises 3D modelling is being learning and professional development” used to support more and more courses both for the RSME and for external units. what to think’, enables students to work at examples, one of the most impressive is The development and success of the CTF their own pace. This change, supported by the feedback from the accreditation team is largely down to the Training Simulator the introduction of e-learning and mobile from the Engineering Council that visited Developer (Glen Draper) who was recently devices that allow students to gain 24-hour Professional Engineering Wing (PEW) in recognised by Holdfast’s parent company access to training materials, has had a July 2014. The aim of the visit was to Babcock International Group with the award really positive impact on training delivery assess the suitability of the Professional of Employee of the Year – well done Glen! and I believe has improved the training Engineering Training (PET) course for the experience as a consequence. award of Engineering Council Accredited But it is not all about ‘routine training’. Degree and they concluded that, ‘PEW is Holdfast prides itself on its flexibility and In recognition of quality of training delivered, a very good example of a well-integrated following the devastating earthquake in the RSME has received numerous programme of academic learning and Nepal, and within 24hrs of the request awards; the most prestigious being the professional development and that they being received, a user package for the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Further and had no hesitation in awarding the course Water Purification Unit was put together. In Higher Education in recognition for the the prestigious accolade’. More recently, total, some 40 personnel from 36 Engineer ‘implementation of high quality, cost- this was further endorsed by an external Regiment were trained in five one-day effective training’ that was awarded to our examiner who stated that he, ‘really could sessions so that they could deploy with sub-contractor Mid Kent College Training not praise this programme too highly; it the facility to the disaster area to aid with Services (MKCTS) in 2013. Earlier this is a credit to the Royal School of Military the huge humanitarian effort that was year, MKCTS was also awarded two City Engineering and Cranfield University. being conducted in-country. Similarly, in and Guilds’ National Lion awards; one for The fact that the programme was given 2014 plant training was provided to 32 Tutor of the Year and one for Centre of the accreditation for a period of five years by Engineer Regiment at very short notice Year. Most recently, the RSME was further the Engineering Accreditation Board is and at no cost so that they could partake recognised with the award of the Happold testimony to its quality’. in a recce to Canada. 6 DECEMBER 2015 rsme matters

“ One of the most critical elements was the completion of the build works at Bicester”

PERFORMANCE Numerous successful projects have users and the introduction of the cashless Services also been delivered. In particular, the payment system has reduced payment It has now been over two and a half introduction of WiFi across Chatham and queue times at both sites further enhancing years since Holdfast last failed a Key Minley is worthy of special note as it has the student experience at the RSME. Performance Indicator (KPI). With 157 enhanced the students’ learning and social KPIs, this is no mean feat and one which environments and is the envy of other Infrastructure we are very proud of. However, this has RSME Group schools and units who are The seven-year build programme has only been achieved thanks to a dedicated either eagerly awaiting installation as part been challenging. One of the most critical team of individuals who have worked hard of the Defence WiFi programme or are elements was the completion of the build to ensure that all training and services struggling with bandwidth issues. Also the works at Bicester to enable the move of continue to be delivered to a high standard refurbishment of some of the catering and DEMS Trg Regt from Lodge Hill. All the and any faults that do occur remain within retail facilities at both Chatham and Minley works were completed on time and to the KPI tolerance levels. including the Fitters’ Café and Mac’s Mess budget to enable the move to take place have made the areas more ‘pleasant’ for and more importantly, the training to DECEMBER 2015 7 rsme matters

be delivered as scheduled. Other major months and it is this agility that helps to HSE elements of the build programme included reinforce the PPP’s strong reputation for As you will already be aware from previous the new Officers’ Mess at Minley, the new delivering. articles featured in RSME Matters, I take Combined Mess at Chatham and numerous health and safety extremely seriously and accommodation blocks at both sites, During the period, several major my main aim is to reduce the number of again all were either completed on time refurbishment projects have been accidents year on year. We have achieved or ahead of schedule. Most recently, we undertaken. The largest and most complex a significant reduction in the number of were instructed to build a new 86-person was the Denison project which commenced accidents this year but there is still more SLA accommodation block at Minley. in 2013 and required Services and Estates to do. We will therefore be launching a The building was completed at the end of to work closely together. Currently there number of new initiatives next year and I October 2015 ready for handover to the are several other refurbishment projects will continue to look for your support in this Authority for use in November and marks underway, including the Ravelin Building important area of our business. the end of current construction works. From and Wood Street, and all are on track to concept to completion took just under 11 complete on time and within budget. 8 DECEMBER 2015 rsme matters

PARTNERING 2014 during the extensive flooding that SPONSORSHIP The RSME PPP Contract continues to be occurred across the UK, military personnel In the past few years, the Royal Engineers viewed as a great example of partnering were put on readiness to be deployed to have reached several significant milestones in action both within the Corps and wider help build up the flood defences. From including the bicentenary anniversary of MoD. The number of visits hosted by the receiving the warning notice at 1400hrs, Royal Engineers at Brompton Barracks, Authority and Holdfast are testament to Authority and Holdfast staff moved really the 75th Anniversary of Royal Engineer this; indeed when Julie Scattergood, a quickly to ready vehicles, equipment and Bomb Disposal and the 200th anniversary Crown representative, visited the RSME manpower so that the Regional Brigade of the Brigade of Gurkhas. Given Holdfast’s in February 2015, she highlighted that was provided with a rapid capability that close link with the Royal Engineers, the obvious strength of the partnership same evening. At the same time, the we have recognised these milestone was a key factor in the success of the Chatham Evacuation Plan was activated anniversaries and many others events by Contract. As further endorsement, in so that Brompton Barracks could be making charitable donations and other March 2014 Holdfast became only set up as a hospitality reception centre contributions. Next year, the Corps will the 54th company to be awarded the ready to receive personnel in the event celebrate 300 years and Holdfast will look national accreditation (BS 11000) in of a mass evacuation from the worst once again to fully support related activities Collaborative Working. There are many hit areas in Kent. In the end, the facility to further cement our relationship. examples of good partnering behaviours was not required but the exercise further that I could share with you but I chose demonstrated the effectiveness and SUMMARY just one, Operation PITCHPOLE. Early in flexibility of the partnership. This has been a hugely successful and highly rewarding appointment but I am in no doubt that the successes highlighted here have been as a direct result of your endeavours and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have supported this PPP – either directly or indirectly. I feel sure that we will have many tough challenges ahead, not least the forthcoming Benchmarking and Market Testing exercise, but I am equally confident that if we continue to approach them in a ‘Partnering’ way, we will continue to be hugely successful and be the envy of many other MoD contracts. New Role Over the opening pages of this issue John Wadham, MD, looked back over his first three years at the helm. RSME Matters also took time out to catch up with Jeremy at the end of a life- changing year.

Extremely impressed with the partnering approach and the company ethos, Jeremy decided to leave the Army after 31 happy years and join Holdfast as the Training and Services Director, which he did in September 2015. This new role sees him responsible to MD Holdfast for all aspects of Training and Service delivery, and he will lead the formulation of the strategy to deliver the Benchmarking and Market Testing exercise in 2018, as well as assisting in growing the business wherever possible.

‘This has been something of a watershed year for me, and whilst I was expecting a couple of events to happen in 2015 (I turned 50 and celebrated 25 wonderful years of marriage), I was not Jeremy Wilman expecting to leave the Army, change careers, buy a house and HOLDFAST TRAINING AND SERVICES DIRECTOR put down roots in Kent,’ says Jeremy. ‘It just proves the old saying that nothing remains constant except change itself!’ After attending the Army’s Sixth Form College at Welbeck and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst Jeremy ‘One of the significant factors in my decision to join Holdfast was commissioned into the Corps of Royal Engineers in April how I perceived the company in my role on “the other side of 1984. With his formative years as a young officer being spent the fence” as the Contract Management Team Leader. During in Germany and Cyprus, he also studied at the Royal Military my two and a half year tenure, I genuinely felt Holdfast, and its College of Science, Shrivenham, where he gained a BEng contractors, believed in the partnership, and more importantly in Civil Engineering. As a captain, he spent further time in that they wanted to do the right thing by the men and woman Germany and at the RSME before returning to Shrivenham who pass through the doors of the RSME Group. In the four to complete the Advanced Command and Staff Course, also months I have been fulfilling the role of Training and Services gaining an MSc in Military Technology as well as an MA in Director, this has only been reinforced. Military Studies at Bracknell.

‘I’m not sure I was expecting any great revelations when I joined; Staff jobs have included: Operational Requirements in and to be truthful there hasn’t been. Yes, I now understand a little MOD, where he was responsible for a number of high profile more about the “numbers” and I have out of necessity read more simulation procurements; Directing Staff at the Defence of the contract, but there has been no grand unveiling of secrets. Academy and Chief Plans in the support headquarters, This, to my mind, reinforces the fact that this is a genuine and Rheindahlen, Germany, with particular responsibilities for open partnership; one that serves the interests of all, and most planning the rebasing announced under the 2010 Strategic importantly prepares the next generation of service men and Defence and Security Review. He has also completed two woman to the highest of standards. appointments as a Military Assistant to a three-star senior officer; one on operations in Iraq and the other to Director ‘Of course, there was a degree of apprehension when I pushed General Defence Academy. He commanded an Armoured the buttons in February (the seven clicks to freedom as it is Engineer Squadron in Germany and a TA Regiment in the affectionately known) – I was leaving a family I had been with all North of England. In 2012, he was selected for promotion to my adult working life, but in Holdfast I have found another one, the General Staff and appointed to the position of Contract and I have no regrets. There are exciting times ahead for the Management Team Leader and Chief of Staff RSME, working RSME Group and Holdfast and I am looking forward to working with Holdfast to ensure successful delivery of the 30-year with you all and making my contribution count.’ RSME Public Private Partnership (PPP). 10 DECEMBER 2015 rsme matters Instructor Life

Looking back over the first 15 issues of RSME Matters, you can’t fail to be impressed by the range of skilled and experienced staff including instructors and lecturers within the team. So what brings them to the RSME and what is it like to live on the Medway? To find out RSME Matters spoke to three couples from across the School to learn more.

Our first couple is Cpl Daniel Ward and his wife Shelley. Daniel is a Section Commander in Lendrum Tp, 24 Trg Sqn, supporting both the Electrical and the Carpenter and Joiners Programme Areas. As Section Commander, he is responsibility to the LCpl who can act as (ILM) Coaching and Mentoring course responsible for the soldiers, even when an effective point of contact with students which I’ve found really useful in my role they are in training. when they are in the soldier space, Royal here. I’m now working towards a Diploma Voluntary Service (RVS) or cookhouse.’ in Education and Training. On completion, ‘It is very much a mentoring role,’ he I will have Qualified Teacher Learning explains. ‘I’m currently looking after Daniel has taken full advantage of his Skills (QTLS) status for 14-19 year olds.’ soldiers on two courses resulting in a own personal development. He explains, mix of Class 1 and Class 2 students. ‘The School encourages you to continue ‘The ILM course introduced me to There’s a big difference between them, developing while you are here. I’ve the concept of goal setting and that each bringing its own challenges. I like to completed the Training, Assessment, structured approach has really helped me encourage the older more experienced Quality and Assurance (TAQA) Assessor with my work with the students,’ he adds. students to act as a role model for the award at level 3 and also the level 5 ‘For example, many of the new students youngsters and also give additional Institute of Leadership and Management fail their Personal Fitness Assessment

“ The responsibility to maintain the military ethos has always been there, but the move to empower the role of the section commander is tremendous and I’m keen to take on the leadership challenge offered” DECEMBER 2015 11 rsme matters

(PFA) – a common problem with today’s recognised as a positive career move has received has certainly changed his youngsters! I offer help in giving them a and an opportunity to demonstrate management style and given him more structured set of goals that they can use your leadership and technical skills,’ confidence in handling his Section.’ to gain fitness and attain the standards. he says. ‘With all of the investment in As I have PT experience, I also support the site facilities, Medway is a superb Shelley has experienced first-hand the directly with a personal PTI programme.’ learning environment. Couple that with schools and childrens services in the area. the additional opportunities to take on Daniel also acknowledged the really adventurous training activities and it’s a ‘I’ve found the schools fantastic, both positive impact the changing emphasis great posting.’ at pre-school and secondary level. We is having on the role of the Section also take advantage of the Lampard Commander. Daniel’s wife Shelley was also excited Centre and always participate in the when she learned he was being posted many Tp barbecues and family functions ‘The responsibility to maintain the to the RSME. in the Cpls Mess,’ she adds. ‘The extra military ethos has always been there, involvement does make a wife feel more but the move to empower the role of ‘The job for Daniel is everything and of appreciated and part of the Corps.’ the section commander is tremendous course being a Royal Engineer means and I’m keen to take on the leadership that he could be posted anywhere around ‘Daniel’s posting has been extended for challenge offered,’ says Daniel. ‘All 0-2 the world,’ she says. ‘My family are from another year and he is hoping to leave trainees will now go on a battlefield tour, Kent and I’ve established my life here with a promotion to Sgt,’ says Shelley. led by a Section Commander; this is a so to have him within reach of home is ‘Our youngest always refers to any soldier really positive move. It’s also a good wonderful.’ she passes as one of daddy’s soldiers!’ opportunity for experienced personnel like myself to pass on some of the Shelley is no stranger to the military way Shelley also works onsite. Joining ESS experiences and lessons learned on of life; her father was in 3 Battalion Green five years ago she recently moved to the operations.’ Jackets and she was born in Berlin. retail side of the business and is currently working in the Combined Mess shop, ‘Getting a posting as an instructor ‘I’ve really seen Daniel grow into his role where she can be seen serving Daniel is becoming more difficult as it is at Chatham,’ she adds. ‘The training he with his morning coffee! Over in the Service Support Desk remembering I was no longer in the and taken several additional courses (SSD), newly appointed Sarah Brookes military,’ he comments. ‘I’d been a since joining Holdfast.’ is busy answering incoming calls. military instructor at Brompton on two Sarah is married to Holdfast instructor separate occasions during my career Sarah is enthusiastic about her role within Darren, who is part of the Carpenter and was on the staff at the start of the the SSD team. ‘I really enjoy my job,’ she and Joiner team. Holdfast contract.’ says. ‘Every day we have to meet a whole range of different challenges and it has Darren spent over 25 years in the Royal ‘Working with Holdfast has been great,’ developed me as a person. I’m originally Engineers before joining Holdfast in adds Darren. ‘The location is perfect and from Manchester so we don’t have family January 2014. Appointed Programme working with such a well-established in the area but our children have grown up Area Leader (PAL) in April of the same company has made the transition to the in Kent and have had a great time.’ year, he is enthusiastic about the civilian world much easier. I’ve also been opportunities the role has given him. keen to take advantage of the many Contining Professional Development ‘The biggest challenge was adapting (CPD) opportunities offered and have to the civilian ways of working and gained recognised teaching qualifications

“ Working with Holdfast has been great, the location is perfect and working with such a well-established company has made the transition to the civilian world much easier” DECEMBER 2015 13 rsme matters

“ As an instructor it’s great to be able to give something back and to give your students the opportunities that you wished you had had as a student. Professionally, it’s a great opportunity”

Finally we met with Maj Richard Marsh, Both Richard and Maya appreciate Forces I get an understanding of a a senior instructor in the Professional the close proximity to London and the broad spectrum of what is happening on Engineering Wing (PEW) and his wife Maya. continent. operations, infrastructure delivery and major exercises.’ With three small children, Maya managed ‘As an instructor it’s great to be able to find five minutes to join us in the to give something back and to give Richard adds: ‘The other big plus is that Fitters’ Café together with Richard and your students the opportunities that the role enables you to timetable your their youngest child. Originally from the you wished you had had as a student,’ life effectively and to have quality time Czech Republic, Maya really enjoys says Richard. Professionally, it’s a with the family which it’s impossible life around Brompton as everything is great opportunity. I achieved Chartered to put a value on. The experience and really close to hand and there is a strong Civil Engineer status while I was at personal development while in the role community spirit. Brompton on the Professional Engineer will, I hope, lead to a sub-unit command Training course. As an instructor, I have position as my next move. Would I ‘I’m a big user of the Lampard Centre,’ the opportunity to develop personally recommend an instructor role as a key Maya explains. ‘Our two youngest through constant exposure to technical part of someone’s career path? Without children go there and our eldest is in engineering and my involvement in the doubt, it’s now clearly seen as a positive Brompton Westbrook – all within walking development of military engineering step and the personal development distance. There’s always something going doctrine and other working groups. The opportunity is fantastic.’ on with activities ranging from the choir to latter enables serious networking across a a local small business networking group wide range of military and civilian contacts of local Army wives. On the Station there and government departments. This really is an active social life with official coffee exposes you to the bigger picture and mornings and Mums and Tots sessions because the PEW is effectively providing being regular events. The monthly training consultancy across the Armed Officers’ Family Friday is a highlight for many of the children as it comes complete with seasonal entertainment of some sort, be it Halloween, an Easter egg hunt or a bouncy castle!’ 14 DECEMBER 2015 rsme matters New Accommodation

A significant milestone was recognised The building was funded by the Defence Also present at the opening were Steve in November with the opening of a new Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and was Fothergill, Operations Director Carillion accommodation block at Minley. Built formally opened by David Mitchard, Chief Defence, Brig David Southall, Comdt to house 86 soldiers in Single Living Executive of the DIO and Lt Gen J Bashall RSME Group and Lt Col Jay West, CO 3 Accommodation the building was an (late Parachute Regt) CBE, Commander RSME Regt. additional requirement needed to provide Personnel Support Command. sufficient accommodation for soldiers under Lt Gen Bashall and Brig Southall began training at the site. David Mitchard said, ‘Providing decent living the day much earlier as they participated standards is crucial to maintain the morale of in the end-of-course extraction exercise It was also the last building to be our personnel, so I’m delighted that DIO has with the latest batch of B3 trainees. This constructed by Carillion and was been able to fund this fantastic new Single early morning exercise culminated in the completed under budget and ahead of Living Accommodation Block at Gibraltar formal presentation of the RE Stable Belt schedule. Holdfast MD John Wadham, Barracks. I was very pleased to attend the to the soldiers, marking their transition who attended the opening, commented, official opening and see first hand the results from Soldier to Sapper and a very special ‘The completion of the Wright Block marks of some excellent collaborative working. It field breakfast served by the senior officers the end of the current construction phase helps demonstrate the kind of innovative present. We’ll learn more about the exercise that we began in 2009. The project has outcomes that can be achieved when the and see them all in action in the next issue gone from request to handover in record teams come together with positive intent. of RSME Matters. time and is a testament to all involved. We hope the 86 soldiers who will be living All of the lessons learned during the core here will be happy in their new homes.’ construction period of the PPP have been incorporated into this build and the result is a facility that we can be proud of.’ DECEMBER 2015 15 rsme matters

“ Providing decent living standards is crucial to maintain the morale of our personnel, so I’m delighted that DIO has been able to fund this fantastic new Single Living Accommodation Block at Gibraltar Barracks” 16 DECEMBER 2015 rsme matters

Capt Theodore Wright, VC, 57th Field Company, Royal Engineers

1914. His Victoria Cross citation reads: considerably quicker than was pleasant, “Mons, France, 23 August 1914, Captain under heavy fire too. At the end of the Theodore Wright, 57th Field Company, bridge was an Engineer Officer repairing Corps of Royal Engineers. For gallantry at bits blown off and putting down straw Mons on 23rd August 1914 in attempting as cool as a cucumber – the finest thing to connect up the lead to demolish I ever saw. The poor fellow was killed a bridge under heavy fire, although just after my troops got across. No man wounded in the head he made a second earned a better Victoria Cross.’ attempt. At Vailly on 14th September 1914, he assisted the passage of 5th Capt Theodore Wright VC, is buried in the Cavalry Brigade over the pontoon Vailly British Cemetery, 10 miles East of bridge and was mortally wounded whilst Soissons, France. The Victoria Cross, his assisting wounded men into shelter.” campaign medals and memorial plaque can be seen in the Royal Engineers’ The new accommodation block is An officer of the Scots Greys wrote later, Museum at Brompton, together with named after Capt Theodore Wright VC, ‘We got across the river the day before letters relating to the award of the who was awarded the Victoria Cross yesterday a bit before our time and we Victoria Cross and the wooden cross that during the retreat from Mons in August had to go back over the pontoon bridge originally marked his grave in France. rsme matters “ An exemplar for military training, delivering internationally acclaimed, innovative and Holdfast relevant, vocational and professional education and training for Defence with special outputs enabled by a strategic partnership contract, now and in the future” RSME Group vision, Comdt Brig David Southall OBE

The ground-breaking strategic RSME Group. Last year Holdfast sees us being part of Babcock’s new partnership referred to by Comdt, Brig gained accreditation to BS11000 for Land and Sea Training Business Unit, David Southall OBE in the RSME Group collaborative working. is already bringing added operational vision is with Holdfast Training Services efficiency and effectiveness,’ says Nik. Ltd. The partnership came into being on Holdfast MD John Wadham comments: 1 January 2009 and is now almost seven ‘For me the achievement of BS11000 Nik’s team operate seamlessly under the years in to a 30-year contract. is a clear recognition of the solid Holdfast banner through six underpinning partnership that we have developed with principles: The scale and scope of the contract the RSME team. Of course we have clear is impressive with Holdfast providing contractual and financial boundaries, • Performance. Meeting and maintaining not only traditionally contracted- but the high level of collaboration brings the required contract outputs (KPIs) out support, such as catering and great advantages and benefits.’ • Compliance. Meeting all policy accommodation, but also delivering standards (Statutory, MoD, Babcock) mission-critical training and support to To see the partnering in action it is in mandatory inspections and audits key elements of the Group. only necessary to take a walk around as well as any internal inspections Chatham or Minley. Offices, training • Military focus. Deliver the contract Holdfast is a special-purpose vehicle areas, classrooms and workshops are to best suit Defence’s needs co-owned by Babcock International populated with collocated teams of • People. Recognising people are Group (Babcock) and InfraRed, an Authority and Holdfast personnel. Only the key asset and must be invested infrastructure investment company. With the uniform identifies which side of the in. Primary focus is keeping the a small core management team led by partnership the individuals are from. team safe and healthy together MD John Wadham, Holdfast operates with ensuring the promotion of through a main contractor Babcock, Recently, the main contractor Babcock personal training and development supported by three contractors: MKC undertook a full review of its activities, • Continuous improvement. Training Services Ltd, ESS and TQ plus resulting in significant structural changes, A core driver for improved a range of specialist sub-contractors. bringing together several parts of efficiency and effectiveness This approach allows Holdfast to Babcock under one team, Babcock • Long-term sustainability. Assess, plan maintain a clear focus but to take RSME. This team is led by Contract for and invest in success for the future advantage of the strength and depth Manager Nik Chapman. Nik is excited by within Babcock, combined with the the opportunities and renewed focus that In this special feature, we will take a look specialist skills of key sub-contractors. review brings. at Holdfast and get a feel for just some of the wide-ranging support activities that it Collaborative working is at the heart ‘The Babcock strapline is “Trusted to delivers within the RSME Group. of everything that is done at the Deliver” and the new structure, which

Babcock International Group InfraRed Capital Partners

Holdfast Training Services Limited

Babcock RSME

MKC Training TQ ESS Services Limited rsme matters Holdfast special

MELTON MOWBRAY Defence Animal Centre

BICESTER/KINETON DEMS Trg Regt

MINLEY 3 RSME Regiment & RE Warfare Wing

TWICKENHAM MEDWAY RMSM 1 RSME Regiment & PEW

The RSME Group provides a wide range of training, not only in all of the engineering disciplines that are fundamental to the Royal Engineers, but also Military Working Animals, their handlers and maintainers; Explosive Ordnance Disposal; Ammunition Technicians; Search Operators and Army Musicians.

Comdt RSME Group, Brig David Southall comments: ‘We are supported by the £3bn, 30-year Public Private Partnership (PPP) with Holdfast Training Services. The first seven years of the contract has seen a huge investment in the design, construction and modernisation of the training facilities and accommodation on the sites supported by the PPP. In addition, the quest for continuous improvement is driving the modernisation and transformation of the design and delivery of the training courses across the Group. Many courses now benefit from modern state-of-the-art technology to support the soldiers’ learning experience.’ rsme matters Holdfast special

Holdfast Training Services

The main effort for Holdfast is focussed on the Medway and Minley sites where the full range of support is provided. Limited support is also provided to DEMS Training Regiment at Bicester. Holdfast also supports the HQ RSME management team.

Holdfast provides a large proportion of the training at Minley and Chatham: military engineering (plant operation and crane training), construction (ranging from bricklaying to concreting and carpentry), engineering (fabrication, design draughtsman, survey, construction material technician), technical and professional engineering (to Chartered Engineer level).

Holdfast also acts as the focus for training development, course scheduling and planning. Training

Working across sites at Medway and Minley, Holdfast provides a wide range of support services, including: vehicle maintenance, equipment support, stores and engineering resources, transport, postal services, armoury, training support and security, IT, catering and retail services, reprographics, accommodation management and cleaning, waste management and pest control services.

IT support includes the provision of bespoke HTS LAN and WiFi, Audio Visual services and office equipment. The IT team also maintain the RSME Sharepoint facility, the onsite CCTV system, provide photographic support and liaise with the DFTS regarding secure systems and BT. Support Limited IT support is also provided to DEMS Trg Regt at Bicester.

Support to Medway and Minley includes: estate management, maintenance, new works and refurbishment. The estates team also undertake planned preventative maintenance, reactive maintenance, minor works projects and manage the asset lifecycle. In addition the team manage major projects such as energy management and optimisation. At Bicester the team is responsible for maintain the buildings built and refurbished under the PPP.

Estates

Underpinning all site activities, the Holdfast HSE team works together with the Authority to ensure that the highest standards regarding Health Safety and Environment are maintained. Holdfast also operates the Don’t Walk By Scheme which enables anyone onsite to identify potential hazards in a proactive and effective manner. The scheme runs hand-in-hand with main contractor Babcock’s own safety campaign; ‘Home Safe Every Day’.

HSE rsme matters Holdfast special

Training

Holdfast has a team of instructors, very keen to maintain links with other cultural shift and a totally fresh approach support staff and management delivering training establishments and to gain to course design and instruction.’ training across the Medway sites, at experience across other military training Gibraltar Barracks Minley and the satellite schools and civilian engineering/trade Garry adds: ‘Initially implemented within Hawley Hard training area. In addition, businesses to ensure that their knowledge the construction and engineering areas Holdfast is responsible for the scheduling and experience remain current. we have been able to introduce new and planning of all courses and the many Participation in trade shows and technical courses seamlessly, thanks to the support off-site training exercises. The courses seminars ensures that they are always and hard work of the instructors, working delivered range from just a few days up-to-speed regarding new technology alongside the course design team.’ up to two years in length and span the and ideas. range of qualifications from basic maths ‘Each transformed course is learner- and computing to a Masters degree and One of the prime objectives of the PPP centric and allows individual students to Chartered Engineer status. was to review and transform many of the progress at their own pace supported by courses that are delivered. Holdfast has the instructor team,’ says Garry. ‘There Holdfast also ensures that employees been at the centre of this transformational are many benefits to this approach and have the opportunity to undertake effort and already several courses are the feedback from the Field Army has Continuing Professional Development being delivered in completely new ways. been extremely positive regarding the (CPD). New instructors, possibly with It’s not only through the application type of tradesmen and engineers that are no prior teaching experience have of new technology and the ubiquitous being produced. In addition, the instructor the opportunity to undertake courses Enhanced Learning Environment (ELE) experience has been enhanced, allowing in Education and Training. The more that transformation has been achieved, the instructor to spend more time helping experienced team members also continue but a totally new way of approaching students who are finding particular areas their CPD through a range of courses training has been rolled out. challenging, as well as being able to and activities, all aimed at broadening support the students progressing more their skills and experience as well as Garry Applin, Holdfast Training Support rapidly by adding additional input and further developing their teaching and Manager, explains: ‘Our approach is to challenges.’ instructional skills. put the student at the centre of everything we do. This sounds straight forward Currently several team members but actually it’s a major shift from the are working towards MSc and PhD traditional approach, which is instructor qualifications. Team members are also led. To achieve success required a rsme matters Holdfast special

“ Each transformed course is learner- centric and allows individual students to progress at their own pace supported by the instructor team” rsme matters Holdfast special

While the transformation of trade courses continues, Holdfast is also now reviewing the Phase 2a Combat Engineer B3 course. This course, which transforms soldiers, direct from basic training, to Sappers, over 10 weeks, is also being looked at to see how the transformational development process can add value. Literally no stone remains unturned as the development team not only review the course material and methods of training but also the training grounds upon which the combat engineer training takes place.

Garry Applin adds: ‘We’re very excited about this project. The B3 course is the basis for all Royal Engineer Sapper activities. It includes everything from building bridges to the use of explosives and I am confident our approach working in close partnership with the Authority and 3 RSME Regt will create a fantastic training environment for the young soldiers as they make that journey from soldier to Sapper.’

As you will learn in the Support section, Holdfast team members not only deliver and transform training, but also provide logistics, safety, environmental and direct support to the many off-site exercises.

“ We’re very excited about this project. The B3 course is the basis for all Royal Engineer Sapper activities. It includes everything from building bridges to the use of explosives” rsme matters Holdfast special

Support

There is a very old saying ‘an Army marches on its stomach’. Well actually, if you talk to any member of the Holdfast support team, they will be the first to explain that it’s a little bit more complicated than that. Basically if it moves, needs feeding or a bed for the night, requires cleaning, storing or transporting, procuring or posting, then Holdfast can do it.

The Service Support Desk, or the SSD as it rapidly became known, is the key to success at the RSME and was introduced at the very start of the contract in January 2009. In fact, the team behind the SSD had been working for months under the leadership of David Gatfield; developing systems, learning the site layouts, training and carrying out a range of live exercises to ensure that things would work from day one.

The SSD continues to play a central role today, now managed by Mike Gander, one of the initial SSD team members. Holdfast also man the reception at both Chatham and Minley and operate the ‘Phoenix, white fleet’ desk, issuing and receiving the fleet of leased and rented vehicles used by the MoD.

Responding to the many requests that pass through the SSD are just some of the tasks that the other elements of the support team carry out. Both Medway and Minley have dedicated Site Operations teams.

“ Basically if it moves, needs feeding or a bed for the night, requires cleaning, storing or transporting, procuring or posting, then Holdfast can do it” rsme matters Holdfast special

At Medway, RSME Matters joined Site Operations Manager Andy Shute at the start of another busy day. After a quick visit to check on the progress of the team of labourers, led by Harry Moore, as they assembled the marquees for the Cherished Moments charity visit to be held later in the day (see page 25), it was off to deliver the induction programme for new and existing employees, staff and students.

‘In this job, you don’t stand still for long,’ Andy comments. ‘Our priority is to ensure that training can be delivered as scheduled. This could involve the transport of students to a training area, the provision of packed lunches, the deployment of coaches, plant ‘In addition to all the roles described by and equipment, complete with drivers, or Andy, we also play a very significant role in the procurement and handling of complex supporting external exercises, including the stores requirements.’ flagship Royal Engineer Troop Commander Course (RETCC) final exercise on Salisbury All this is done while ensuring the general Plain Training Area,’ says Nick. ‘We also day-to-day living accommodation and maintain the green fleet vehicles used in catering is delivered on-time and to the training and training support and provide right standard. the planning and scheduling for all transport activities across both the Medway and At Minley, the Site Operations Manager Minley sites.’ role is carried out by Nick Cheetham. Nick oversees operations at Minley, including the The transport team is led by Paul Davies, newly developed Hawley Hard training area Holdfast’s Defence Transport Manager. (see Issue 14). Working with a team of 43, Paul is responsible for the fleet of passenger “ Our priority is to and stores vehicles that support training, including the provisioning of specialist ensure that training construction plant and cranes that are can be delivered deployed in support of construction tasks. Exercise support is also provided by the as scheduled” Combat Engineering Support Team (CEST). Their role is to support training exercises by providing a resource to supply a logistics service during an exercise and also strip out field constructions such as operating bases, bridges and water points once the exercise is complete. This work is often completed at night with drivers, members of the stores and CEST work long hours in support of the off-site exercises.

Team members also carry out other roles and can often be seen providing safety/ security cover to safeguard the public, when students are carrying out exercises involving live demolition charge tasks. Storage and transport of weapons and munitions is also managed and operated by Holdfast across both main sites. rsme matters Holdfast special

“ The support teams are often the unsung on the ELE. As well as accessing course heroes. They beaver away behind the material and multi-media training aids, such as videos and interactive online elements, scenes to ensure that the resources are students can also submit assignments, in place, the transport turns up on time, receive feedback and both students and instructors can monitor individual progress. food and accommodation is available and the drivers, operators, mechanics, The team is also keen to encourage the use of both new and existing technology. planners and specialists teams are in the A recent example has seen the deployment right place at the right time, ensuring of wireless cameras and tablets onto the plant operator training area at Wainscott, that training continues to plan” with multiple camera angles being recorded for instant playback and review by both With such a wide range of training available. The latest cashless RSME students and instructors. activities, it is no surprise that there is a payment system ensures that no-one complex stores system in place, a critical goes hungry. The Plant training has also established the element in any supply chain. From vehicle use of simulators, allowing the students side-lights, oils and fuel to huge bridging The result of all the activity is inevitably the to gain the essential eye-to-hand co- components, sophisticated secure potential production of large quantities of ordination skills required when operating Bowman communications equipment to live waste. Over recent years, with support from the equipment. Using a range of off-the- munitions; Holdfast ensure that whatever the experts at Biffa, Holdfast has moved shelf software supported by the Holdfast is needed is available at the right time and from a piecemeal approach to waste IT team, Pete Willey BEM, Innovations in the right place. Equally important is that management to a pan-site strategy with and Development Officer, has created an any equipment is fit for purpose and carries challenging targets for waste reduction and exciting learning environment that has up-to-date certification and testing, such as recycling, with a target of zero non-recycled students queuing up to use it, even during that required for lifting equipment. waste. With clearly labelled recycling bins their break times. and central recycling points, Holdfast is well At the start of this section food was on the way to achieving those targets. Nik Chapman was keen to praise the mentioned and there is no doubt that this work of the support teams. He says, is a high priority. Across the Medway sites, One area that is essential within any large ‘The support teams are often the unsung Minley and Bicester, major investment organisation is IT. Holdfast provide support heroes. They beaver away behind the over the last seven years has brought a to Medway, Minley and Bicester and scenes to ensure that the resources are in transformation in the provision of catering have proactively upgraded and improved place, the transport turns up on time, food infrastructure. The introduction of new- the IT provision, which has been the key and accommodation is available and the build and fully refurbished kitchens and factor in the roll out of many of the training drivers, operators, mechanics, planners Combined Mess facilities has created transformation initiatives. With bespoke and specialists teams are in the right place a modern, pleasant and effective site networks operating through both wired at the right time, ensuring that training environment. A varied but balanced diet and wireless WiFi systems, students and continues to plan.’ is guaranteed, with a wide choice being instructors can access training material rsme matters Holdfast special

Estates

The SSD doesn’t just provide input for Bernie is an experienced Estates Manager will enable us to carry out inspections at the support team but is the main point having worked on a number of high profile height more rapidly and safely. of contact for the many daily challenges projects, such as the new terminal at that face the Estates team. Medway and Bristol Airport, Festival Shopping Centre ‘What’s important here is Holdfast’s Minley each has a dedicated Holdfast in Basingstoke and the Land Warfare commitment to safety,’ he adds. ‘As estates manager, responsible for the Centre at Warminster. well as ensuring the drone meets the management of the Medway, Minley right level of operational specification, and elements of the Bicester site. The ‘We are also developing a lifecycle far beyond that of the hobbyist machine, Holdfast Estates Manager at Medway is maintenance plan for the site. By close we will also ensure that all operators are Kingsley Elstow. An experienced engineer monitoring of plant and equipment we can suitably trained and qualified and that all and Chartered Construction Manager, identify when plant and machinery needs deployments comply with the latest CAA Kingsley is keen to stress the importance to be replaced before it fails, preventing guidelines.’ of being proactive. unexpected downtime or damage. We have also just taken on the care and Holdfast is also committed to the ‘We focus on a system of regular maintenance of the brand new ‘Wright employment of apprentices. The Estates preventative maintenance, with a clear Block’ accommodation building that team already has several apprentices programme of activities timed to pick up provides Single Living Accommodation within different trade areas. RSME any major problems before they arise,’ for 86 people.’ Matters caught up with two of the current he says. ‘At its simplest, it’s a bit like apprentices working in one of the many ensuring that you stick to service intervals Nik Chapman explains that the utilities buildings dotted around the site. with your car, not just running it until it Estates team was also looking for Apprentice painter Josh Williams (pictured breaks down. Of course, just like cars every opportunity to increase building right) was working under the supervision things do break and our team of expert environmental control efficiency and of Painting Foreman Gav Scott. Also tradesmen respond to each call, rapidly reduce costs by deploying the latest present was Luke Westwood, working with resolving the problem and getting things building energy management system, experienced electrician Lee Fairburn. Luke running again.’ currently under trial. features on the inside cover of this issue.

The Estates team also carries out minor ‘The Estates Team are exploring several works projects. RSME Matters met up novel approaches,’ says Nik. ‘These range with Bernie Pierce, Holdfast Estates from the energy management system Manager at Minley as he was scoping the already mentioned coupled with the use impact of a potential reorganisation of the of novel and green technologies, to the main gate traffic route. deployment of a sophisticated drone which rsme matters Holdfast special rsme matters Holdfast special

HSE Underpinning everything that Holdfast hazardous activities such as welding, reviews throughout the year and has does is the safety team led by Laura grinding and metalworking. Overhead launched a number of high profile Wilkins. Working alongside the Authority cable work and scaffolding training bring promotions to encourage the ideal health and supported by the contractor and sub- their own risks and the training at Upnor, and safety culture. These include the ‘Don’t contractor Health and Safety Managers, involving boat operations on the river Walk By’ scheme, underpinned by other Laura’s mission is to ensure that the Medway together with the heavy plant safety initiatives such as the Babcock safety highest standards of Health Safety and operations and maintenance activities at theme of ‘Home Safe Every Day’. Environmental (HSE) management are Wainscott, add additional challenges. maintained. Laura’s role is very varied. While MD John Wadham always has safety as his keeping a weather eye on the long-term Add to that the combat training and number one priority and this is reinforced factors affecting HSE activities such as offsite exercises conducted from Minley, by his regular site tours and breakfast upcoming legislation, new standards and both with direct involvement of Holdfast meetings where safety is literally the first industry best practice, she is also out on the personnel, and the scale of the challenge item on the agenda. ground ensuring that day-to-day operations is clear. It’s important however not to lose are being carried out safely and correctly. focus on the more ordinary but just-as-real In this special, we’ve just scratched the issues such as the hazards and risks in surface, describing the range and scope Every site is different and brings its own drink driving or the benefits of a healthy of services provided by Holdfast. With challenges. At Chatham, trade training diet and exercise. On page 17 you can partnering at the heart of everything that is very hands-on including potentially read about the recent initiative to highlight is done, progress can only be positive. the dangers of drink driving. As the training transformation continues, the RSME Group vision to become From an environmental perspective, work an exemplar for military training for continues to ensure that protected species Defence is becoming a reality, enabled are unaffected by the ongoing construction by the strategic partnership contract with and refurbishment projects and of course Holdfast Training Services. there are clear policies regarding the recycling and management of waste.

Even when working with highly professional Photo courtesy of Iain Blacklock contractors, it is still important to review their health and safety performance. Holdfast carry out regular audits and DECEMBER 2015 17 rsme matters

Everyone knows that drink driving is The afternoon was organised by Holdfast The bravado of some of the younger something that they shouldn’t do under HSE Manager Laura Wilkins and Defence students was very evident as they any circumstances. But it’s all to easy to Road Safety Advisor David Sweeney in approached the simulator exercise. convince yourself that it’s just one drink conjunction with Medway Council. However the impact on their driving skills and you’ll be fine. At Brompton Barracks a soon became evident and a more subdued drink driving awareness session was held Laura commented: ‘If we’ve stopped just and thoughtful student was often the result. where students and members of staff could one person making the wrong decision, experience what it was like to drive when then the afternoon awareness session ‘This is all part of our Driving Safely your faculties are impaired by the effects has been worthwhile. I think the impact programme. The aim was to ensure safe of alcohol. Achieving this didn’t involve a that even a small amount of alcohol can driving was at the front of everyone’s drop of the hard stuff but instead a specially have on your driving skills is really brought mind over the Christmas period, when designed driving simulator was available, home through the use of the simulator. The there is always a risk that people can as well as goggles that simulated the effect goggles simulate the effects of impairment lose focus and make a deadly mistake,’ of alcohol on the body. These two activities including reduced alertness, slowed Laura added. made a big impression on the people reaction time, visual distortion, alteration queuing to give it a go. of depth and distance perception and reduction of peripheral vision.’

Drink Driving 18 DECEMBER 2015 rsme matters Gas Investment Investment in training resources Pictured is instructor Barry Ferrier with continues unabated at Chatham. RSME two of the latest students on the Class Matters recently visited the Heating 2 plumbing course. Spr Graham, age and Plumbing and Air Conditioning and 18, has been in the Army for just over Refrigeration (ACR) Programme Area to 12 months and will join 21 Engr Regt view the new gas training installation. The on completion of the course. Working upgrade has required the total strip out and alongside him is Spr Bell, also 18. He was replacement of the existing training areas in the same Training Troop as Spr Bell with up-to-date appliances and systems. during Combat Engineer training at Minley and will be joining 35 Engr Regt. The facility now allows students at all levels to experience the full range of equipment Barry is a very experienced plumber and and systems they will encounter once gas engineer. Early in his career, he worked they join their unit in the Field Army. The with his father as a Fitter’s Mate before installation has also been designed so that moving on to carry out maintenance work external course evaluations, an integral part on steam boilers and turbines. Looking of the civilian assessment and certification for a career change, Barry then went back process, can be carried out in-house. to college to get formal plumbing and gas qualifications before running his own Programme Area Leader is David Owen. plumbing and heating engineer business David is responsible for the Heating, for several years. This was followed by a Plumbing and ACR trade training. With up period working for British Gas before joining to 80 trainees at any one time across such a Holdfast as an instructor in 2008. diverse selection of highly technical training, he enjoys the challenges the role brings. David comments, ‘Having experienced team members such as Barry really makes ‘I have a team of ten within the two a difference to the quality of the training technical trade areas,’ says David. ‘As we deliver. There are few situations and well as being technically complex, we also problems he hasn’t encountered during need to be aware of current legislation his career and his drive to continue his and regulations that apply to areas such studies guarantees he is up-to-date with as gas heating appliances. We need to be the latest trends and technologies.’ confident that students leave well trained and able to confidently and safely tackle installations and repairs across the full “ Having experienced range of equipment and systems they might encounter. For example, all of our Class 1 team members plumbers gain their core gas qualification such as Barry really along with boilers, fires, cookers and conversion to Liquified Petroleum Gas makes a difference (LPG). This equips them with all the to the quality of the knowledge and skills they need to rejoin the Field Army and deploy on operations.’ training we deliver” DECEMBER 2015 19 rsme matters

David Owen PAL HEATING, PLUMBING, AIR CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION

Joining the Junior Leaders Regt Royal Engineers at 16, David rose to the rank of Junior Sgt. On joining the Field Army, he served in many places across the world: UK, Germany, Gibraltar, Canada, N Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Cyprus, Iraq and Afghanistan. Committed to the philosophy of lifelong learning David completed many courses during his career and gained the rank of WO (Class 1). In addition to trade-related courses, he also gained the NEBOSH certificate safety qualification, the Certificate in Education and level 6 qualifications in Supply Chain Management (Logistics) together with level 5 and 7 qualifications in Management. On leaving the Army in 2008, he began working in a college carrying out teacher training. He took up his current role with Holdfast in 2011. 20 DECEMBER 2015 rsme matters

C&G Tutor of the Year

David is always keen to recognise the Scott played a key role in developing a “ Scott has an achievements of his team and a recent culture of teamwork and cohesion within unquenchable thirst opportunity to nominate one team the ACR area as well as leading on the member for a City and Guilds Award was development of new course materials. for his trade. He successful. Scott Mitchell is an instructor quite literally lives in the ACR Programme Area and was ‘In particular, Scott was instrumental in awarded Tutor of the Year. the procurement of a new Air Handling and breathes it, Unit (AHU) that he then redesigned the searching constantly This award recognises excellence and courses around,’ adds David. ‘In addition innovation within teaching. he encourages students to visit local for ways to develop businesses to explore industrial installations his knowledge and David explains, ‘Scott has an unquenchable which allows them to contextualise the thirst for his trade. He quite literally lives theoretical elements of the courses.’ skills to pass on and breathes it, searching constantly for to the students” ways to develop his knowledge and skills to pass on to the students. He has a fantastic skill-set and is the go-to guy for any ACR information or help.’ DECEMBER 2015 21 rsme matters Minley MT One of the areas that most visitors to Gibraltar Barracks often miss is at the bottom of the main site. This is the home of the Holdfast Motor Transport (MT) activities. Here you can see row after row of ‘white’ and ‘green’ fleet vehicles; everything from a small car to the huge BR90 bridging vehicles and the mighty Oshkosh tractor-trailer combination. The man in charge is Paul Davies, Holdfast Defence Transport Manager.

‘We manage all of the passenger and stores vehicles and ensure plant and cranes are available to support training activities,’ says Paul. ‘This includes the “white fleet” vehicles operated through the Babcock Phoenix contract and the green/yellow fleet supplied by ALC (a Babcock/Amey joint venture). We support over 155 course each year. I work closely with Deputy Site Manager Graham Pennicook is responsible for the MT Workshops and CEST.’

There is little that happens at Minley that doesn’t require support from Paul’s team of 43. Indeed they provide central planning and scheduling of transport activities across Minley and the Medway sites.

MT FUNCTIONS: • Scheduling and planning • Drivers • Plant operators • Crane operators • CEST • MT Workshops 22 DECEMBER 2015 rsme matters

The planning team is generally the first point of contact for users. They may be going to use a vehicle that has been booked via the IFS training resource tool, or on the authority TAFMIS system. Resources are allocated to bookings using the Babcock Phoenix PBS2 system, or the JAMES asset management system respectively. Users are encouraged to contact the team either by phone or email to discuss their future requirements or simply drop in to their office on the first floor of building GIB0039 at Minley.

The team has recently worked with Iain Blacklock, part of the Holdfast IT team, to develop and launch an electronic transport request system. This has had a major impact on the processing of transport requests as it requires users to complete several mandatory sections with pre-

SONIA SPENCE MT Admin Clerk (technical)

DALE BAXTER MT Planning Chargehand

PETER LOCK White Fleet Scheduler – (mainly self- drive) for Chatham and Minley.

IAN HICK Green Fleet Scheduler – all trg support vehicles for Minley and details all driver allocations

CLAIRE GRAY MT Docs Clerk & Plant demanding officer DECEMBER 2015 23 rsme matters

selected options which has resulted in a place at the right time. This includes Keeping all this equipment on the road much-reduced level of errors that the team exercise support which can see the team is the role of the MT Workshop team need to deal with. The system is working providing cover over 24-hour periods led by Mark Prictoe. A quick visit to so well that it was highlighted as a positive that can involve them living and sleeping his comprehensive workshop facilities feature by the Support Command Senior alongside the exercising soldiers. demonstrate the ongoing commitment Master Driver during a recent inspection. of Holdfast to invest in equipment and The operation of plant and cranes facilities to ensure that each job can Paul is keen to highlight the strengths of during training carries with it particular be completed safely, effectively and as the MT team members. responsibilities as students, supervised efficiently as possible. The workshops by the senior exercise Directing Staff (DS) can handle everything from LandRovers ‘Four members of the team: Peter Lock, team, are often carrying out complex to the large BR90 Bridging vehicle. Peter Sparrow, Peter Keenan and Dale tasks for the first time. These tasks can Mark’s expert team includes stores and Baxter all achieved a Babcock Ovation also be carried out at night, adding to the equipment specialists as well as the award at distinction level and made challenge. The Holdfast team has worked skilled vehicle mechanics. the final of the Defence and Security closely with the Authority to develop safe Ovation Awards earlier this year,’ says working procedures while maintaining the Mark comments, ‘We now also Paul. ‘Peter Keenan also went on to inherently military aspects of the training. maintain the fleet of MAN SV lorries as take the overall award for Customer they have come out of their warranty Service. Sonia Spence, working in the Exercise support is also at the heart of period. This has increased our workload Control Office, has also been awarded the work of the Combat Engineering significantly, but the team works closely an Ovation distinction for her work in Support Team (CEST). Led by Keith with the planning and scheduling supporting customer compliance.’ Steadman, the team provides support to team to ensure that we schedule the all of the exercises run by 3 RSME Regt. maintenance work to maximise vehicle The team of drivers and plant operators This includes the strip out and recovery availability for training and support for is a critical element at Minley ensuring of bridges, water supply points and the many offsite exercises.’ that personnel, equipment, materials and other engineering tasks that are carried specialist training aids are in the right out on exercise.

26 6 6 26 Multi-skilled drivers: LandRovers, MAN 6 Multi-skilled driver and Plant Operator: 6 Multi-skilled driver and Crane Support Vehicles (SVs), Self-Load Dump as above plus Medium Wheeled Tractor Operator: as above plus the Terex Trucks, Demountable Rack Offload and (MWT), Light Wheeled Tractor (LWT), All Terrain AC35 Crane (some have Pickup System (DROPS) vehicle plus Class 30 Beach Dispenser. Some both Plant and Crane skills). White Fleet vehicles. Some also have also have specialist skills: Caterpillar specialist skills: Defence General Service D5 Bulldozer, Heavy Roller & 360 Driving Continuation Instructor (DGSDCI) Tracked excavator – DGSDCI.

Note: all chargehands, supervisors and schedulers are also multi-skilled drivers with specialist skills. 24 DECEMBER 2015 rsme matters Holdfast Reserve Tim Bourne is one of many Holdfast ‘I’m 37 years old and training with 21 “ Tim is a highly team members that lives a double life. year olds. It’s a real challenge,’ Tim adds. skilled and During the day, Tim works as a driver ‘However, I’ve always been pretty fit and within the MT team based out of Minley, have managed to stay injury free. From motivated individual but when he’s not at work, a Senior my time in the Engineers, my field admin and a very strong Sapper with 131 Commando Engineer skills are good and I can yomp and carry reserves (24 Commando). weight with the best of them. My driver member of the and plant operator skills and experience Holdfast team. Tim is no stranger to the Royal Engineers ranks alongside many of the SNCOs.’ as he qualified as a plant operator at the Holdfast is always RSME and joined 21 Engr Regt where Tim completes a monthly weekend of keen to support he deployed to Bosnia and Iraq. He left Reserve training with the Commandos at the Army in 2005 and spent some time Lympstone and is progressively working Reserve activities travelling the world before settling back through the differing levels of training and we are all into the Reading area working as a civilian that will lead to his next major challenge, plant operator on local construction the two-week assessment course, wishing Tim well as projects. Looking for his next career that if passed, leads to the issue of his he works to meet move, he learned about the RSME PPP Green Beret in recognition of full Army Contract and was successfully recruited Commando status. the challenge of as a driver/plant operator. the green beret” ‘With the Reserve we worked with the Over the last four years, Tim has worked US Marines this summer on exercise both on and off site at Minley. This has on Salisbury Plain, Weymouth and included support to the flagship Royal Bovington,’ says Tim. ‘I’m hoping to join a Engineer Troop Commanders Course return exercise with the US Marines over (RETCC) on Salisbury Plain. in America next year.’

Tim takes up the story: ‘While I was serving Paul Davies, Holdfast Defence Transport with 21 Engr Regt, I nearly applied for the Manager comments: ‘Tim is a highly Commando course but bottled it. However, skilled and motivated individual and a it’s not something that I had forgotten very strong member of the Holdfast about so when I got the opportunity to join team. Holdfast is always keen to support the Commando Reserve I jumped at the Reserve activities and we are all wishing chance and am now working hard to be Tim well as he works to meet the awarded the coveted green beret.’ challenge of the green beret.’ DECEMBER 2015 25 rsme matters 26 DECEMBER 2015 rsme matters

The MT yard at Minley is always an impressive place to visit. Ranks of MAN Support Vehicles (SV) sit alongside Terex cranes, amongst a full range of engineer vehicles. The huge BR90 bridging vehicles, featured in an earlier issue of RSME Matters are an equally familiar sight. A new vehicle has recently appeared at Minley; the Oshkosh tractor unit, together with the Medium Light Equipment Trailer (M-LET). This makes up the LET.

The Oshkosh tractor unit replaced the Seddon Atkinson Prime Mover vehicle. This required the modification of the trailers to allow the neck of the trailer to stretch over the Oshkosh tractor unit’s fifth wheel. This resulted in a temporary downgrading of the trailer’s capacity from the original 68 tonnes to 19 tonnes. Note that the Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) is still available for the transport of loads over 40 tonnes such as Challenger 2 tanks and the Engineer Titan and Trojan vehicles.

The M-LET training package has been redeveloped and the first course was delivered by Holdfast this month.

Oshkosh Photos courtesy of Paul Heron rsme matters rsme DECEMBER 2015 27 2015 DECEMBER After the band had marched off the square to the tune of Wings, our visitors were divided into three groups to undertake a programme of activities. This included Drill with Cpl Gilbride (36) and Cpl Ward (24) and two drill squads provided by 24 Trg Sqn; physical and sporting challenges in the gym under the watchful eye of Cpl McNamara and his fellow instructors; and a visit to the RE Museum and the provision of craft activities by James Scott and Chris Seymour. In addition, at lunchtime 24 Trg Sqn laid on a small arms display by Cpls Crow-Brown, Dell and Hope and a demonstration of bivouac building and operational ration pack cooking by Cpls Bailey, Lambert-Lee, Longstaff and Watson. en with life- ‘Blessed with good weather, the day started with a welcome by Lt Col SE Cunniff RE, CO 1 RSME Regt and Comd Chatham Stn, and the issue of berets, RE cap badges and PCSCU jackets to the children. This was followed by an outstanding marching display by the Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers before the children joined in with the band. Using some rather original and unusual musical instruments provided by Capt James Marshall, Director of Music, the children then provided additional musical backing to the band’s repertoire. With one eye on the future, several of the children were allowed to direct the band under the tutelage of Capt Marshall.

Chatham Station hosted a visit by Chatham Station hosted a visit by the Cherished Memories charity on 8 October following the Chief of the General Staff’s approval of the charity’s request to visit the Army. The charity organises special events for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families for a day of family bonding that can be remembered with happiness. Eighteen families took advantage of the offer to spend a day with the Army and the Corps of Royal Engineers, and the visiting group of 89 people included children, families, carers, medical support staff and in a personal capacity HM The Queen’s private secretary. Station Staff Officer (SSO) Lt Col (Retd) David Bowen reports on an emotive day.

Memories Cherished Cherished threatening illnesses and their families for a day of family threatening with happiness” bonding that can be remembered The charity organises special events for childr

“ 28 DECEMBER 2015 rsme matters

“ The feedback from the visitors was that they had all enjoyed a tremendous day and great credit goes to all those members of Holdfast and Chatham Station who delivered and supported the visit”

Like many of the permanent staff which ranged from weapons, operational that our visitors were in the right place watching, the visitors were amazed to find ration packs, military clothing and at the right time. A special mention must that an operational ration pack included PA systems to tentage, furniture and go to Tim Mullis and ESS who supported a bottle of vintage port and a tin of blankets. His porterage team, led by both the charity and the visit by very spaghetti hoops. The visitors were hosted Harry Moore, for whom a five-star service kindly and generously providing a throughout the day by Sgts Gurung, is regarded as nothing more than routine, traditional British Army stew at lunchtime Taylor and Munro and Cpls Dath, Hall, ensured that everything was in place in and refreshments throughout the day. McClarty, Meehan, Stacey and Taylor of good time and with the minimum of fuss 36 Trg Sqn who ensured that the children before the visitors arrived. Andy Shiner The visit concluded with a farewell from and their families were looked after patiently explained the auditorium’s Lt Col Cunniff and the presentation of extremely well. audio-visual system to a grateful SSO medals, certificates and goody-bags and showed great consideration to the to the children. The feedback from the Holdfast Training Services provided elderly and technically challenged by visitors was that they had all enjoyed a outstanding support to the visit courtesy being in attendance during the visit so tremendous day and great credit goes of Babcock and ESS. Al Sharr was that he could deal with any technical to all those members of Holdfast and calmness personified in drawing together issues. The MT provided an excellent Chatham Station who delivered and the support requirements for the visit, shuttle service during the day to ensure supported the visit. DECEMBER 2015 29 rsme matters

Since the visit, we have been informed that one of the children who visited us has sadly passed away. The charity’s notification e-mail included the following text – “I just wanted to thank all at the British Army who gave time and showed compassion when Cherished Memories visited. Tonight the family were re-living happy times and sitting watching films of experiences they had with you at Chatham barracks. Although they feel their loss so deeply, they also feel blessed they were to have these special times of fun. I just wanted to send you my deep gratitude and I thank God for you making their time with you so perfect.” 30 DECEMBER 2015 rsme matters Draughtsman They will then join their unit where they will stay for between 18 months and three years before returning to embark on the Class 1 course.

The single Class 1 course is run annually over 21 weeks. Many of the students will have been deployed on military operations and also had the opportunity to practise their trade in the field. The emphasis of the Class 1 course is in developing the Des Dtmn so that they can assist in the design process of building projects in the Field Army by providing technical construction drawings. Successful completion of the Class 1 course is also essential for promotion and can also lead to the opportunity to progress to the Clerk of Works (Construction) course. Once again the successful student will In this issue, we take a look at the The Holdfast training team consists of gain a civilian qualification alongside their third and final Programme Area within eight instructors, five design and three military Class 1 award; the Level 5 Higher the Design Faculty at the RSME, the E&M, all with teaching qualifications. The National Certificate in Building Studies. Draughtsman (Dtmn). PAL James Reeder team has a mix of military and civilian is very keen to establish that there are two experience covering a wide range of ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL distinct trade disciplines within the Dtmn construction, building services and DRAUGHTSMAN Programme Area; Design (Des) Dtmn, plus fabrication projects both across the world. The E&M Dtmn Class 2 course is slightly the Electrical and Mechanical (E&M) Dtmn. shorter at 32 weeks, but provides the James adds: ‘We are supported by a soldier with the essential skills and James explains, ‘In essence, the training trade Sgt and two Cpls who deliver the knowledge to take up the post of (ME) focuses on preparing draughtsmen to military aspects of the training as well E&M Dtmn in the Field Army. They also produce, review and amend technical as being responsible for the welfare of gain the civilian Level 3 City and Guilds drawings for the two disciplines. Their the trainees.’ in Computer Aided Design. The Class 1 role is to support the design, build and course runs for 30 weeks and is focussed manufacture process, which Royal DESIGN DRAUGHTSMAN on training the E&M Dtmn to be able to Engineers take from conception to As for the E&M Dtmn, there is a assist in the design process of electrical the end product. Usually they will minimum academic standard that is and mechanical projects. This involves the work under the direction of a senior required to undertake the Des Dtmn production of technical drawings, diagrams draughtsman or Clerk of Works.’ course. Students must have gained and detailed reports. Again the Class 1 grade C passes in mathematics, English qualification is a prerequisite for promotion ‘The E&M Dtmn trade is highly language and a science or technology and can lead to the opportunity to join the specialised in that, in the civilian world, subject. Once selected, they will join Clerk of Works (Mechanical, Electrical or the trade is actually multi-disciplinary one of the two Class 2 courses that Construction) with additional experience. combining electrical and mechanical are run every year. This initial 40-week The student also gains the Level 3 National services with engineering fabrication and Phase 2 course provides soldiers with Diploma in Building Engineering Services. fitting draughting skills,’ says James. ‘In the essential skills and knowledge that civilian terms, the Design Dtmn is often enables them to take up a post as (ME) The Programme Area also provides referred to as an architectural technician Des Dtmn in the Field Army. Alongside support to other courses at the RSME, or construction/civils Dtmn.’ their military qualification, they are also delivering training in building studies, awarded Level 3 Certificates in Building engineering drawing and diagrams Studies and in Computer Aided Design. together with Computer Aided Design. DECEMBER 2015 31 rsme matters www.holdfasttraining.co.uk RSME Matters is produced by Holdfast Training Services Ltd