Defence Minister Adam Ingram has revealed the results of a highly successful year for the Army’s recruiters.

During a visit at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, on Friday where around 600 young soldiers were taking part in a passing out parade to mark the end of a 42-week course, the Armed Forces Minister congratulated them on their successes and commend the work of the Army’s recruiters across the country.

Mr Ingram said: "I’m pleased to say that this year we have seen a significant increase in those expressing an interest in joining the Army, where you have led, others follow.

"Public support for our forces is vitally important. It is justifiably very high. 80 per cent of the British public thinks our Army is among the best in the world. As you leave this fine establishment, each of you has a role to play in helping the public to understand what you do and why you do it."

During the 2005/2006 financial year Army recruiting has risen by 9.2% with a total of 11,460 soldiers enlisting, 1,060 more soldiers than the previous financial year.

At the end of the 2004/2005 financial year 84,542 young people expressed an interest in joining the British Army. This increased by 58% to 133,823.

The recent boost in interest has been attributed to high profile advertising activities such as the recent infantry soldier campaign, and the Everest West Ridge campaign - which helped to deliver a quarter of the year’s 40,000 target enquiries in just eight weeks.

All of this comes at a time when the Ministry of Defence faces a challenging recruiting market, this is partly due to the country’s strong economy and stiff competition from other employers.

Some units such as the Royal Engineers, Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Signals and Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers all performed particularly well and exceeded their annual recruiting targets. However, in an effort to counter the shortfall in Infantry and Royal Artillery recruiting, the Army offered serving officers and soldiers a bounty of £1,300 for every individual they successfully introduced into the two organizations.

The Army Foundation College at Harrogate is an initial training facility for the Army. It is designed to take recruits aged between 16 and 17 years.

The 42-week course is a progressive and integrated package divided into three 14-week terms that combines military, vocational educational, and leadership training.

The pass-out parade marks the end of the course, which provides the recruits with all of the essential skills they need for a career within the British Army.

One of the UK’s biggest employers in terms of the number of people recruited each year, the Army employs 107,730 personnel and an additional 38,460 Territorial Army soldiers and officers.

(SP)