Functional Skills UK is proud to announce a new education partnership with RACPD (Royal Artillery Centre for Personal Development), helping strengthen progression opportunities for serving Armed Forces personnel and those preparing for life beyond military service.
The partnership highlights the importance of lifelong learning and reflects a shared commitment to supporting individuals throughout their careers.
Built Around Three Core Principles
RACPD's approach to personal development is built around three key pillars:
- Serve Well
- Plan Well
- End Well
These values help ensure that military personnel are supported throughout their service and are prepared for successful transitions into future careers.
Functional Skills UK is supporting the "End Well" pillar by developing vocational pathways and educational opportunities that can help individuals progress into employment, further learning and civilian careers.
Shared Values and Experience
The partnership has been developed alongside Lee Hunt, CEO of RACPD, who brings a unique perspective through both his military background and extensive experience within education.
As a former member of the Armed Forces and former Principal of Newbury College, Lee understands the importance of helping serving personnel plan for the future.
Lee explains:
“If you complete twenty years in the Army after joining at sixteen, you can effectively retire at thirty-six. The question then becomes, what next?
These pathways are about early intervention and helping individuals prepare for future careers and employment opportunities while making the most of the skills developed during military service.”
Lee Hunt, CEO of RACPD
Developing Opportunities Together
Over recent months, Luke Hardy, CEO of Functional Skills UK, and Lee Hunt have held several mobilisation meetings to explore how both organisations can work together to support Armed Forces communities.
This has included visits to military sites, including:
- Thorney Island, West Sussex
- Larkhill Garrison
These visits have provided opportunities to meet senior military personnel and begin shaping programmes that align with responsibilities and leadership roles within the Army and Royal Artillery.
Looking Towards Phase One
Initial discussions have focused on management and leadership programmes that complement the skills already developed through military service.
The partnership aims to recognise the valuable experience gained within the Armed Forces and provide clear progression routes into civilian employment and further education.
Exciting Plans for the Future
Looking ahead, both organisations have ambitious plans to continue developing opportunities for serving personnel and veterans.
Future developments being explored include:
- Vocational training pathways
- Management and leadership programmes
- Adult Skills Fund opportunities
- Additional support through Armed Forces Covenant funding
- Online learning opportunities for British Forces Overseas personnel
As part of these discussions, visits to overseas military locations are also being explored, including a planned visit to British Forces bases in Cyprus during Summer 2026.
A Message from Luke Hardy, CEO of Functional Skills UK
“We are incredibly proud to be working alongside Lee Hunt and the team at RACPD.
The Armed Forces develop outstanding skills, leadership qualities and resilience. Our role is to help individuals translate those strengths into future career opportunities and ensure that lifelong learning continues long after service.
This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to support serving personnel, veterans and military families both in the UK and overseas.”
Luke Hardy, CEO of Functional Skills UK
Supporting Lifelong Learning
At Functional Skills UK, we believe learning should be available at every stage of life.
Our partnership with RACPD demonstrates our commitment to supporting people as they plan for the future, develop new skills and progress into meaningful careers beyond military service.
Because learning does not stop when service ends.