ARMY LAUNCHES NEW RESERVES ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER UNIT IN BELFAST

The Army has launched a new Reserves Electrical and Mechanical Engineer unit in Belfast against the backdrop of one of the historic engineering milestones in the city’s history – the SS Nomadic.

The new unit – 157 Field Company of 106 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) is the NI arm of the Battalion. Its three other Companies including its HQ are in Scotland. 

Based at Kinnegar near Holywood, in specialist workshops, 157 Company becomes Northern Ireland ‘s only Army Reserve REME unit offering a wide range of engineering support and training. 

Officer Commanding, Major Gary Ferguson told leading NI engineering employers the new unit provides them with a unique opportunity giving a range of transferable skills and training for men and women seeking challenge, change and returns in their spare time. 

“Naturally there is leadership and man management but there is so much more including all the trade recognised qualifications as well as judgement and decision making. Army Reserves not only offer much to their community but also to their companies. In short, they are an asset to a businesses reputation,” he said. 

Pictured above, from left are: Wilfred Mitchell OBE, Federation of Small Businesses; Colonel Johnny Rollins MBE, CE of RFCA NI; Ballymena-based Federation of Small Businesses Chair, Marlene Marcus & Professor Hugh McKenna CBE, Ulster University.