Premise for progress:Education and learning
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Premise for progress: Education and learning
Getting better trained people to the frontline, faster
Project Selborne is a multi-stranded 12-year programme which, as one of its aims, is to be a transformative and modernisation programme that has already started revolutionising the way training is delivered to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines; a strategic partnership between Team Fisher (the consortium delivering Selborne, led by Capita) and the Royal Navy to transform 80% of shore-based training for sailors and marines across 14 sites.
Team Fisher, including partners Raytheon UK, Elbit Systems UK, Fujitsu and University of Lincoln, was selected to deliver Selborne in December 2020 with Service Commencement Day 1 (of 8) on 1 April 2021. Despite the tight timeline of just 11 weeks, from day one the project has hit all key performance indicators and has delivered a seamless takeover of service. Over the 12-year project we will consolidate 26 separate training contracts into one integrated service and provide data analytics to ensure it continues to meet the Royal Navy’s needs.
We are using and introducing technology and modern training methods to maximise the true potential of personnel in training and help them become more competent, confident and capable in their delivery on operations and in support their individual careers, whether through apprentice training or highly complex, technical competencies. By personalising training, and making it more flexible, we can minimise time away from the frontline and enable trainees to be ready for operational duty in a more timely and effective way.
Whilst the main focus of Selborne is undoubtedly excellent training delivery, we are also leading delivery of the Royal Navy Submarine Training Centre project, which will provide the capabilities and modernised courses to enable the Submarine Service to deliver the majority of its professional courses in Scotland.
This is a very exciting project and will deliver the final component part of a long-term Royal Navy strategic imperative in moving to, as a far as possible, a fully integrated single submarine operating base.
The third component of Selborne is the Modernisation programme which, while it only accounts for c.5% of the contract, has received high interest and focus from the Royal Navy, which is delighted with the progress and impressed with the programme’s continued push to enable the achievement of its goal.
Modernisation is about looking at things differently; about the ways of working across the programme, looking at the Royal Navy’s courses and how to make them relevant for today’s sailor and marine. Using technology, we have recently trialled a series of AI applications in the Defence Diving School and hope they will be taken forward. We use optimisation tools to ensure that training is flexible, delivered at each trainee’s own level, without putting pressure on others. 2022 also saw the consortium assuming responsibility for the Warfare Signature Database, Maritime Composite Training System and engineering and maintenance support of the Vanguard-class Nuclear Ship Control Trainer (FASNUSCOT). These successful service commencement dates are a testament to the hard work all partners have put into the contract, pushing forward major project milestones in close cooperation with the Royal Navy.
Team Fisher, as our strategic partner, has now successfully assumed responsibility for training across numerous training establishments demonstrating the vision and commitment to truly modernise Royal Navy training.”
And, during 2023, a new suite of cutting-edge navigation simulators from Kongsberg Digital is being rolled out. These new simulators will integrate across different training establishments allowing Bridge Teams at Britannia Royal Naval College, HMS Collingwood and HMNB Faslane to operate together.
Reward and recognition: Princess Royal Training Award
Commander Sara Balls collected the Princess Royal Training Award on behalf of the Royal Navy for the commitment and investment they have dedicated to apprenticeships. The prestigious award honours employers who have created outstanding training and skills development programmes which have resulted in exceptional benefits and quality outcomes.
This is only possible because of my amazing team who run the programme, a dedicated group of Royal Navy, Civil Service and Team Fisher personnel who consistently go above and beyond to ensure service personnel are afforded outstanding accreditation.
A farewell honour: Final duty for The QueenThe Royal Navy clearly played a significant role in the funeral of Her Majesty the Queen and all the staff within Selborne were extremely flexible in their support to minimise any disruption to training. A more personal example was that of Heber Ackland, Director of the Selborne Programme for Team Fisher partner, University of Lincoln, who, had the honour to serve as a pall bearer during the state funeral of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
Prior to joining the University of Lincoln, Heber had a 30-year career in the Royal Navy, and as part of this he was an Equerry to the Queen between 2004 and 2007. Heber marched alongside the state gun carriage during the procession from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster on 14 September, and again for the processions in London and Windsor during the state funeral on 19 September. In his current role, Heber is involved in delivering and improving education and training as a key part of Team Fisher.
Providing naval training for Ukraine
As part of the Royal Navy’s whole force approach, Team Fisher provides a wide range of training, including ship damage repair, firefighting, sea survival skills as well as customised training packages in specialist areas, including small ship command, mine warfare, echo sound maintainer, sonar, and communications.
A total of 103 Ukrainian naval officers and ratings have received this training to date, conducted in various locations across the UK. In addition, the international defence training team designed and coordinated a bespoke training package that accelerated the delivery of two Sandown Class minehunter vessels to Ukraine, greatly enhancing the capabilities of our Ukrainian allies.
Shaping the future of submariner training
As we look ahead in 2023, the Royal Navy Submarine Training Centre (RNSTC) at HMNB Clyde in Scotland will be a dedicated centre of excellence, providing a world-class integrated training environment, hosting c.600 trainees each year from 2025.
The move will allow Royal Navy submariners to take greater ownership of their careers and reduce the need for travel, while also providing improved training methods and creating more realistic scenarios to build their confidence. When commissioned, the centre will provide:
The Royal Navy Submarine Training Centre programme represents a once in a generation opportunity to introduce a paradigm shift in how and where training will be delivered to both current and future generations of Royal Navy submariners. This is an opportunity to ensure training is modern, relevant and centred on the individual learner such that Navy receives competent, qualified and confident submariners to the front line, faster. This is an opportunity we are determined not to miss.”
Leading the way: Top 100 apprenticeship employer
As part of Project Selborne, we help to manage a vast and successful programme of apprenticeships alongside the Royal Navy, by supporting apprentices throughout the entirety of their programme from enrolment to end point assessment. Around 6,000 individuals - 20% of Royal Navy personnel - are completing an apprenticeship at any one time.
When a trainee starts an apprenticeship in the Royal Navy, they begin an adventure that will take them all around the world.
The Royal Navy offers 17 different apprenticeship standards, 80% of which focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) specialisms. It has an enviable reputation and is rated as a ‘Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer’ with one of the highest completion rates in the UK.
Royal Navy apprenticeships have been judged to be ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and came second in the 2022 National Apprenticeship Awards.
The world-class training that apprentices receive means they have all the transferable skills they need to succeed within the Royal Navy and in civilian life.
The success of Project Selborne can be attributed to the emphasis on partnering, collaboration, joint accountability and ownership. Everyone is working together towards a shared goalof delivering exceptional training.
Together, the Royal Navy, RoyalMarines and Team Fisher are operating in a true strategic partnership, using our unique skills and capabilities to deliver core shore-based education and learning for sailors and marines.
Training world-class firefighters
In addition to delivering the Defence Fire and Rescue Project (DFRP), the Capita-owned Fire Service College (FSC) in Moreton-in-Marsh is a world-class venue for fire prevention and protection. Offering a unique training ground with expert instructors, it provides assessed and accredited fire and multi-service training for firefighters and other emergency responders globally.
We are continually looking to innovate and diversify the training we offer to meet the needs of today’s defence, civilian and commercial fire services. This includes our latest course addition, an aviation firefighter programme that offers e-learning alongside practical training at the college’s 300-acre site.
We used an online system called Bud to upload evidence for the different modules comprising of different subjects such as pumps and primers, wildfires, animal rescue and road traffic collision. Working in this practical and evidence-based way really suited me with my dyslexia. I was able to upload a range of things such as videos, pictures and PowerPoints rather than just write a massive essay. I also loved the hands-on learning aspect.”
Expanding expertise to civil aviation
The Fire Service College launched its Aviation Firefighter Initial Course in November 2022 with recruits from Heathrow Airport embarking on a five-week course in which they will be trained to the highest international standards. Developed with leading industry experts, it is fully aligned with the requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority’s Rescue and Firefighting Standards and the National Occupational Guidance.
We are excited to see the Fire Service College moving into the sector and welcome their support to train the latest colleagues joining us here at the airport. Their move into aviation follows the long standing and highly regarded training courses they already provide for fire and rescue services worldwide.”