An event organised for Moray businesses provides an ideal opportunity for RAF personnel facing redundancy, to show what skills they have. Organised by HIE Moray's RAF task force team, the speed networking event is to take place on Wednesday 7 February from 6pm until 9pm at Horizon Scotland in Forres.

The evening will begin with welcomes and a joint presentation from the RAF Task Force team and Colin Brown from the Career Transition Partnership.

HIE Moray set up an RAF task force project team in January 2006 to mitigate the impact of the redundancies through a broad range of projects planned under the Moray 2020 Strategy. The final tranche of redundancies at the bases was announced last October with 78 personnel due to leave this spring.

One of the themes detailed in Moray 2020 relates to the retention of RAF leavers in Moray. A high proportion of those facing redundancy want to stay in the area and offer local businesses a wide range of skills and experience. Just over half of those leaving the base are skilled in aircraft engineering trades, 26 per cent have skills in plant fitting, aircraft painting and finishing, and 16 per cent work in administrative and catering functions.

Mhairi Begg, RAF task force team leader said: "There are many highly trained and skilled individuals leaving the RAF - many of whom want to stay and work in Moray. The speed networking evening will give people a structured environment in which they can talk to business people they wouldn't otherwise have come in contact with. We are working closely with the RAF to make sure that this programme of redundancies provides positive outcomes.

"Well trained and effective employees are more important than ever for good business prospects. RAF leavers are confident, self motivated individuals who are used to meeting deadlines and working as part of a team. This event is an opportunity for businesses to attract some of that talent that can add value to their skills base."

HIE Moray has been promoting its services to RAF leavers including business start-up advice, training opportunities and careers planning advice. It has also launched a website which provides information on jobs and housing in Moray www.aboutmoray.co.uk.

Businesses and RAF leavers should register for the speed networking event by contacting Deborah de Jonge on 01309 696 020 or email deborah.dejonge@hient.co.uk