Operations Manager

Bob Elliott

Bob joined the Royal Engineers in 1976 as a 'boy soldier' and trained as a fitter RE, posted to 35 Engineer Regiment in Germany and back to the UK with 22 Engineer Regiment. Bob left the Corps in 1985 and found his qualifications did not match with civilian employment so he started a career as long distance HGV driver until made redundant in 1997. He saw this as an opportunity to look at other career options and used the redundancy to fund a Forklift Truck Instructors course; this opportunity started Bob on another career and he soon became qualified as an Instructor, NVQ Assessor and Verifier, Trainer and Advice and Guidance Advisor for the unemployed and employed adults and young people.

For the last fourteen years Bob has given advice and guidance on training and employment to the unemployed receiving benefits. During these fourteen years he saw a great many veterans in the 'benefit system' that needed support and were trapped in a system so different from their previous military lives. Through his experience, he found that veterans relate to another veteran and this can help them move into further training and employment. For the last fourteen years he has worked for two large organisations in the North-West; the last two years he has particularly worked with veterans.

Bob has been working with Billy and Veterans In Action (formally Veterans International Aid) for the last two years, Bob's experiences and qualifications allow him to be able to give information, advice and guidance to a great many veterans who are in need of it.

Bob is currently involved in the planning of events and activities, establishing teams of fund raisers in the North-West, recruiting veterans in need of the support, and preparing them for future employment, education and training.