RSME (Royal School of Military Engineering)

By improving the quality of service and training for the Royal School of Military Engineering (RSME), we're delivering greater value for money.

Delivering modern, progressive training

The RSME  provides training in all engineering disciplines to over 7,500 trainees per annum developing the unique skills that are fundamental to the Royal Engineers.

Working in partnership with the RSME, Babcock transformed the training model, delivering better quality, shorter courses. We now design and deliver over 140 different courses to the RSME, providing over 220,000 training days a year. Through training transformation we have saved 21,000 student training days.

Instructor-led teaching is supplemented by computer-based training (CBT), broken down into small packages followed by a series of practical problem-solving tasks. This encourages students to learn at their own pace, and work through each training objective in a workshop, then simulated field conditions, with supervision, mentoring and coaching by the teaching staff.

Training is divided into four occupational areas: military engineering, construction trade, engineering trade and professional engineering.

All training follows the Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT) and RSME training methodology, to meet both operational requirements and the standards required by a series of nationally-recognised qualifications.

Training is supported by workshops and a dedicated services team across all three delivery sites. The services team provides support in management and administration, security, equipment and motor transport, and engineering resources. In addition to these services the RSME contract also benefits from a dedicated IT LAN system, which is a common platform that Babcock, our client and trainees utilise for the delivery of the PPP. The Service Support Desk is also integral to the operation of the RSME and provides a central resource for services such as booking facilities and transport, as well as acting as a performance management tool.

Infrastructure Management

To provide the training, we upgraded three secure establishments at Bicester, Minley and Medway, which Babcock manage on an ongoing basis. A seven-year construction programme has brought  significant improvements to training and living accommodation, with further maintenance also in place to upgrade the standard of assets over the forthcoming years.

Our in-house infrastructure team provides estate management, ground maintenance and refurbishment services. Through the infrastructure team we provide a robust and resilient service saving money for the MoD.

We also provide soft facilities management, such as catering, cleaning and accommodation.

Exceeding requirements

Through an open and honest partnering approach, we’re delivering a successful managed training service that has met and exceeded the requirements of the RSME.

It’s led to a 21% reduction in training times and allowed 300 military personnel to return to front line commands from training roles.

As well as exceeding KPIs across a range of services, we’re also developing learners who have a deeper understanding of their trade and who can resolve problems when confronted with real-life situations. In addition standards of facilities maintenance, especially reaction times, are now significantly higher.

Key facts:

• Designing and delivering over 140 different courses
• Providing over 220,000 training days per annum
• 40% reduction in time needed to meet the same training goals
• Saving RSME an average of 25% on previous training costs
• Courses compressed by an average of 23%
• 21,000 student training  days saved
• 7,500 trainees per annum