A speed networking event next week provides an ideal opportunity for local RAF personnel leaving the services to meet Moray employers in order to kick start their new careers.

Organised by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) RAF Task Force team based in Forres, the event follows on from two similar successful events held last year.

The event will be held at Horizon Scotland, Forres Enterprise Park on Wednesday April 23, from 5.45pm - 9pm, beginning with a welcome from Martin Johnson, HIE area manager.

The RAF Task Force was set up by the HIE team in Forres to mitigate the local impact of RAF redundancies through a broad range of projects planned under the Moray 2020 Strategy. The team encourages RAF leavers to stay in Moray and also educates employers about the transferable skills that those leavers have to offer.

Around 40 RAF leavers are expected to attend hoping to sell their skills to local businesses. These speed networking events involve mini-interviews between RAF Leavers and a series of local employers. The idea is that within a few minutes of talking to someone new, it is possible to work out whether there is the possibility of a future business relationship in this case employment.

Paul Hughes, development manager at HIE's area team based in Forres, said: "There are so many highly trained and skilled individuals currently leaving the RAF locally and most of these want to stay and work in Moray. We work very closely with the RAF to make sure that these leavers find positive outcomes in their search for a new career.

"These events are great as they present a structured environment in which individuals can talk to people that they wouldn't otherwise have met. Our previous two events have seen a number of strong contacts made and several RAF leavers found jobs as a result of those contacts. "

The companies confirmed as attending the next event include: BAE Systems, Moray Council, McPhersons Ltd, Synergie Scotland, Scotland Electronics International Limited, Smiths Gore, Turner Estates Solutions, Bluebird Stagecoach Bennex and White & Co, W& J Cruickshank.

Businesses and RAF leavers wishing to attend this event should register by phoning 0800 032 8080.