A RESERVIST from Brecon has been awarded an MBE for his services to young people across Wales.

Warrant Officer First Class Neil Martin, 43, works as the army youth engagement officer in the 160th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Wales.

Originally from Hamilton in Scotland, Neil moved to Brecon when he joined the army after leaving school when he was 16 years old.

Neil started his role as the youth engagement officer after his decision to leave his career with the Army.

He said: “I was applying and I was offered this job and a job at the coroner’s office and I thought that I have more to offer than just sitting in an office for 28 years. I’ve locked people up in the miulitary police and interviewed people, and now I’m on the other side of it.

“I really enjoy it – it’s tasking at times. It can be extremely frustrating sometimes but it is very rewarding, especially when you see people seize it and really make a career for themselves.”

Based at the barracks in Brecon, Neil has now supported over 150 young men and women into employment – both within and outside of the military – through his Beat The Best programme, which tailors to the needs of each individual who is Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).

Commenting on receiving the honour, Neil said: “I know it is a cliche, but I was genuinely shocked when I found out. It’s the first time I’ve ever been speechless. I had no idea because it had been a total secret and nobody even hinted to me – I was called into the commander’s office and he told me. It’s a real honour and a real privilege to be given it.”

In his work Neil draws in key stakeholders and partnering organisations – such as the Department for Work and Pensions, probation service, colleges and training providers – to ensure Welsh youth have a better than average chance of “gaining the employment of their choice”.

Through his Beat The Best programme, Neil helps to develop group and individual qualities in such a way that employers in any field would want to employ its candidates.

Neil, who is known for taking candidates “under his wing” when they have needed external support, has been known to go “far and above” what is required in his job description and for working twice or even three times his weekly mandated hours.

He said: “It’s for NEETs – those people who are unemployed and don’t know where to go. It’s motivational for them, it will really put them through the paces and we can tailor the courses to whatever their needs are.

“I try to work with them because a lot of them have barriers and it helps them to build their confidence up. It’s sort of like a pathway into employment – we’ve had good results over the last couple of years.”

The programme offers young people the opportunity to develop life skills and gain qualifications as well as offering a variety of courses.

Neil, who also won the Youth and Cadet Award at the Armed Forces in Wales Awards 2016 in Cardiff, often works alongside candidates for a few months after their programme has finished.

He said: “They come and I work with them and help give them confidence and give them help or assistance. It often lasts longer than just the course as well, I can be working alongside them for a few weeks or a few months.”

Neil, who also goes into the community to help coach and mentor people, attends colleges and schools to talk to young people and lead them in activities around problem solving or STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects using an Army twist to make it more “fun”.

The youth engagement officer, who is responsible for the entire Welsh brigade, said that a lot of people “just need a helping hand” – especially in areas where they don’t have anyone or anything like in certain parts of the valleys.

Talking about the candidates, he said: “They realise they can do it, whether they join the army or the navy or whether it’s a career doing something else – we had one guy who was interested in becoming a chef and he’s now working in a kitchen and really enjoying it.

“I’m not a recruiter, it’s not about joining the army. Some people do, and for some people its the only route they’ve got – if you have convictions, that’s the services like the police out. If you’ve got no qualifications, where are you going to go? It does take you away from where you are and it gives you a real chance to break a way.”

Neil said that the programme also offers young people the social aspect as they could have gone from never leaving their home town or village and being on their own, to being part of a group that can meet up and chat on social media.

A spokesperson from the Barracks said: “Neil is cited for his passion and sustained level of inspiration and enthusiasm in supporting the unemployed into their ideal jobs – even if that is not the military.

“His willingness to go that extra mile has been highlighted by students as well as the staff of Job Centres around Wales and his citation is supported by the DWP as well as external employers.

“This included working with councils and external bodies to ensure individuals had access to communications, transport and even housing and clothing in order they they could secure qualifications and employment.”