Army Educational Services (Northern Ireland)
In August 2005, the Government announced that three battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment would be disbanded.
The Army Educational Services Northern Ireland (AESNI) stepped into see how it could best equip the 1,500 men and women, affected by the disbandment by devising a highly successful training programme to improve skills, job and career prospects and investigate suitable options for the career changers to ensure all staff would continue to be economically active.
In all, 476 literacy and numeracy qualifications were awarded, others studied IT, forklift driving, health and safety, first aid and driving dangerous goods courses. A total of 2,335 awards were made.
Most of the soldiers already released have secured or been promised employment. Whilst the army instils discipline and leadership qualities, these transferable skills have been enhanced by a period of learning which has developed a highly literate, numerate and IT competent workforce.