Recruitment agency Blue Arrow has launched an initiative to help army personnel back into careers when their service ends.

The ‘Next Step’ scheme has been set up in conjunction with the Royal Logistics Corps’ (RLC) career service, the Logistic Employment Network (LEN). It is hoped soldiers can be placed in areas such as driving and logistics, construction, catering and technology – all sectors blighted by skills shortages.

Soldiers will approach Blue Arrow through the LEN, who will put them in touch with their local agency branch.

“So far the feedback from clients has been very positive as it enables them to tap into another labour pool,” said Mark Manaton, head of Blue Arrow’s driving, construction, industrial and technical divisions.

Manaton added that he hoped the scheme could find many of them work before they even left the army.