Holdfast: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the RSME and what is it for?

A1: The Royal School of Military Engineering (RSME) is an operating group within the Army Recruiting & Training Division. The Division is responsible for the recruitment and individual training of all officers and soldiers in the Army. The RSME's specific mission is to provide well-trained and motivated Military Engineers to meet the operational requirements of the Armed Forces.

Q2: What does the RSME comprise of, and where is it located?

A2: The RSME comprises a headquarters and two schools. HQ RSME and the Construction Engineer School are based in the Medway towns in Kent and the Combat Engineer School is at Minley in Hampshire. The National Search Centre and the Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal School (NSC & DEODS) are located in the Medway towns (under the command of the Defence College of Logistics and Personnel Administration (DCLPA)) The RSME occupies 12 sites in the Medway Towns and 2 sites at Minley.

Q3: What will the RSME Project Deliver?

The RSME Project will result in a Public Private Partnership valued at approximately £300M capital spend and £2.4Bn revenue spend over a 30 year period. The contract will deliver:

Training and training support, including hard facilities management and soft services.
Construction of new buildings and refurbishment of existing structures for the RSME.
The relocation of DEODS and NSC from the Medway Towns in Kent to Bicester in Oxfordshire.

Benefits to the MOD include, the transfer of military posts from a training establishment to front-line units, improved living and working conditions for trainees and staff and a reduced training estate with lower running costs.

Q4: Does the RSME-PPP project have a capital element?

A4: The RSME PPP Project is a 30 year partnering arrangement with Holdfast Training Services. It will involve rationalisation of the RSME estate and significant new build and refurbishment of the existing soldier accommodation. There is therefore,considerable capital investment within the proposed solution.

Q5: Are any job losses expected as a result of the contract?

A5: There are no anticipated job losses as a result of the contract. MOD staff currently delivering activities within the project scope will transfer to the Contractor under the Transfer of Undertaking, Protection of Employment (TUPE) Regulations.

Q6: Will TUPE transferees have a chance to apply for new posts within the Holdfast Consortium?

A6: Yes, HTS will look to fill new posts through internal recruiting within the organisation before advertising externally.

Q7: How will HTS update training and maintain the quality of military training?

A7: Commandant RSME will remain responsible for ensuring that the quality of all training is maintained. Existing processes will be strenghtened by a Customer Executive Board which will be attended by Holdfast. Holdfast and the MOD will jointly ensure that the training delivered remains cutting-edge, relevant and validated so that the output of the RSME is of the highest standard.

Q8: What land will be sold as a result of the RSME PPP?

A8: Land sales are not within the scope of the RSME PPP. Any queries on this subject should be directed to MOD, where details may be found on the Contact Page.

Q9: Does Holdfast intend to use the RSME to provide training to non-military students?

A9: No. We are concentrating on the RSME contract, and have no current plans to undertake 'third party' training activity. However, the contract will allow HTS to propose such activity to the Authority in the future if there is capacity to do so.

Q10: Where there is spare capacity we will continue to provide this opportunity. However, RSME training is top priority.

A10: No. We are concentrating on the RSME contract, and have no current plans to undertake ‘third party’ training activity. However, the contract will allow HTS to propose such activity to the Authority in the future if there is capacity to do so.

Q11: What improvement will we see in the new Single Living Accommodation?

A11: Current Army policy reflects the expectation of most Service people that they should be provided with an individual room. The new Junior Ranks Single Living Accommodation (JRSLA) blocks at the RSME will contain groups of 6 en-suite rooms that will share a common area with a TV, fridge etc. This configuration will provide is an opportunity for students to interact and also enjoy private space while studying.

Q12: Are Holdfast's three main sub-contractors private equity partners?

A12: No, they are all UK quoted companies and are listed on the stock exchange. There is no need to use private equity due to MOD financing the project.

Q13: Will HTS be providing phone lines and internet connections in the new JRSLA's?

A13: Yes. There will be one socket. We are looking into what connection will be most beneficial to you. We are more likely to use an internet connection as most people now prefer mobile phones and would not wish to pay for a fixed telephone service.

Q14: Is Pay-As-You-Dine (PAYD) to be open to everyone?

A14: Yes. PAYD is being designed to provide services to all who live and work in the RSME sites, including, potentially, at Bicester when DEODS and NSC relocate there.

Q15: Once people are TUPE transferred, will they be required to work at other sites?

A15: No, HTS wishes to retain people to deliver services at RSME so is not intending this to happen. However, if any staff wish to explore opportunities with their new employer at other sites then they are welcome to pursue this option.

Q16: What's happening to the yacht club at Upnor?

A16: All clubs of this sort are recognised officially as encroachments and have been catered for in the PPP for as long as the space they occupy is not required by the RSME for other purposes. In the medium term the RSME will continue to review the viability of the yacht club at Upnor, as is standard annual practise with all encrochments.