The Royal Navy has launched a campaign to recruit 250 submariners and has targeted gamers at EGX, the UK’s biggest gaming event.
Shared Service Connected Limited (SSCL) which is leading the recruitment on behalf of the Royal Navy was at the EGX at the ExCeL centre London which took place between the 17-20 October to attract new talent.
The decision was made to host the recruiting campaign at the EGX reflects the Royal Navy’s opinion that gamers have the unique skills required for life aboard a submarine.
Whilst at the conference, SSCL used virtual reality (VR) to show people what life would be like in the Navy.
The transferable skills that gamers bring, can be useful to the navy are long periods of intense focus and deploying the very latest technologies.
David Parsons, director of resourcing Services at SSCL, said:
By using VR to provide a glimpse into the world of a submariner and a Royal Navy career, we hope to appeal to many of those who are active in the gaming community.
The intense concentration and attention to detail that is needed for life on a Royal Navy submarine are skills that gamers already have. In many cases they have the ability to cut through the noise, seeing and hearing things that many others would easily miss. A Royal Navy career may just be a perfect match.
Captain Pete Viney, director of recruiting for the Royal Navy, said:
The submarine service is a unique, challenging, yet hugely rewarding place to work. Submariners are part of an elite team within UK Defence, working with highly-sophisticated technology and taking on some of the most demanding tasks in the Royal Navy.
The mental demands of round-the-clock watching and listening – whilst remaining undetected – can be intense and requires resilience and skill. Many of those with a natural affinity for video games already possess the core skills needed for a successful and rewarding career as a Royal Navy Submariner.
Darius is the editor of HRreview. He has previously worked as a finance reporter for the Daily Express. He studied his journalism masters at Press Association Training and graduated from the University of York with a degree in History.
