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We are proud to begin delivering this important service for the Ministry of Defence with Reed in Partnership to help Armed Forces Service leavers from 1 October this year. The Forces Employment Charity has long been part of delivering the Career Transition Partnership, and supporting Service leavers into civilian work has been at the heart of our charity’s offering since we were founded in 1885.

CTP will help approximately 15,000 service leavers transition from the military into civilian life each year. The service provides a range of expert personal support and access to training and development courses, events, and job opportunities—all designed to help service leavers succeed in the next stage of their lives.

Watch our joint video to find out more about our plans for the new Career Transition Partnership.

Take your first step into a rewarding tech career with the Forces Employment Charity’s immersive Pathways into Tech (PIT24) event. It’s happening on Wednesday 11 September 2024, at London’s prestigious Google Academy.

The UK’s dynamic tech industry is critical to the transformation of multiple socio-economic sectors with excellent job prospects. Following unprecedented sector expansion, aspiring IT professionals need clear guidance on what to expect and where to turn.

Created specifically for the Armed Forces community, PIT24 gives veterans, Service leavers, reservists and military families a chance to discover tech career paths. Giving them opportunities to learn from industry leaders, network with top employers and attend workshops on key industry skills.

The UK tech industry is expanding

Now is a great time to enter the UK tech industry, which currently employs over two million people. Some 12% are UK jobs (with a 50% vacancy surge since 2020). This highly resilient sector accounts for 10% of the UK’s gross domestic product (GDP), driving huge government (£20bn) and private investment (£6.2bn +).

Tech jobs offer excellent earning and development potential, with salaries exceeding £64k for specialist roles like software development, Java and IT systems architecture. As technology drives innovation and environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria become more complex across industries, the demand for skilled workers of all levels and specialisms rises. Particularly in fintech and cybersecurity.

London’s thriving tech ecosystem and job market supports leading names like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, attracting premier talent. 50% of tech jobs are now outside London – Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh report strong hiring figures, their expanding tech job markets fuelled by startups. 21.6% of IT job ads now promote remote working.

Tech careers — which skills will be covered at PIT24

At PIT24, you’ll discover career paths into cybersecurity, data science, IT infrastructure, and more. Workshops and seminars will demonstrate the skills needed in this competitive industry:

Artificial intelligence is revolutionising industries with its automation and decision-making capabilities. Progressing to an AI career takes solid grounding and experience in other IT areas.
Cybersecurity skills are crucial to protecting organisations against escalating cyber threats. Certifications like CISSP or CompTIA Security+ are essential in this area, and they offer huge employment potential.
Data Analytics skills are essential for interpreting and analysing large datasets to drive business decisions. Tools like Python, R, and SQL give you versatility across IT disciplines.
Cloud Computing skills let businesses work with online data and applications – so certifications in platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud are a must.
Programming Languages like Python, Java, and JavaScript are key to software development, as is practical experience with open-source projects and platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank.

Whichever field you work in, it’s vital to keep up with best practices.

Inspiring speakers, industry leaders and networking opportunities

PIT24 promises to be incredibly inspiring. Former military personnel will share their successful transitions into tech roles. We’ll also hear from distinguished speakers including General Sir Richard Barrons KCB CBE. A board-level advisor to the City, parliament and military fora, he is a leader in applying technology to revolutionise business, society, government and defence.

Speakers from 12 top firms, including Google, Lloyds, Roke and Xero, will share their expertise and advice on navigating the tech landscape. They’ll provide sector insights and discuss open roles and recruitment processes – they’re actively recruiting veterans and their family members.

About the Google Academy

Google’s Digital Skills Academy in Central London is the ideal venue for PIT24. Its retro Brighton theme – complete with electric cinema, beach, and funfair-styled auditoriums – is sure to uplift and inspire attendees.

Ronan Harris, MD of Google UK said the Academy was created to “educate and inspire… as part of Google’s plans to help build digital capability across the country.”

How to register for PIT24

Register online today!

Wednesday 11th September 2024, 10:00 – 18:00
Google Academy, 123 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 9SH
Can’t make it in person? Register to join the event livestream – don’t miss this valuable career opportunity! OR, sign up for our newsletter, where we will update you on when/where our regional PIT24 will take place.

Please note: Our ‘Pathways into…’ events are always oversubscribed, and a waiting list is held. If you have registered and can no longer attend the event, please contact [email protected] so that we may offer your place to someone else.

Our ‘Pathways into…’ events are part of Op PROSPER

The Forces Employment Charity provides one of three workstreams of Op PROSPER; a government-led programme through the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, awarded to us through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. We provide the Employment Pathway workstream through our ‘Pathways into…’ events, which aim to empower veterans and their families, the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, enabling them to thrive in society by ensuring equal access to employment opportunities and supporting them in sustainable, valuable careers.

Future events with the Forces Employment Charity

Keep watching our events page! Find out what other opportunities are there for you to explore and let our newsletter tell you as/when our next events go live:

October (TBC): Pathways into Tech (regional event)
6 November: Senior Exec Workshop
14 November: LinkedIn Essentials with Lincoln Coutts
January 2025: Pathways into Construction
February: Pathways into Construction (regional event)
March: Women into Employment

Are you an employer looking for talent?

We work with employers to maintain or establish military pathways, and deliver events across the country connecting employers with veterans. All of this is aimed at supporting the recruitment, retention, progression and tracking of military talent from the Armed Forces community.

Register your interest to start your Op PROSPER journey today.
Questions? Email [email protected]

This opportunity is now closed

We’re looking for a Charity Trustee to join our Board and help us achieve our mission of providing lifelong, life-changing support, jobs, and training opportunities to Service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families, regardless of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.

Charity Trustees ensure that the Charity is well-governed, financially sustainable, and compliant with relevant laws and regulations. You will also contribute to the strategic direction and oversight of the Charity’s activities and provide guidance and support to the staff and volunteers.

Who we’re looking for

Our priority for this position is a person who has empathy for our Armed Forces community. To augment the skill mix of our Board, we are particularly looking for individuals with financial or legal experience. However, applications are welcome from all areas of business and the community.

For more information, please read the job description and letter from Ben Farrell, our Chair of Trustees.

Notable dates

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview with a panel of Trustees chaired by the Chair of the Nominations Committee. The panel expects to hold interviews in the week commencing 12 August 2024. The Board of Trustees hopes to formally approve the successful candidate’s appointment on 12 September 2024.

New figures reveal a 20% increase in the number of employers looking to hire veterans!

New figures released today by the Forces Employment Charity to coincide with Armed Forces Day (Saturday, 29 June) reveal that the number of employers actively looking to hire veterans has jumped by over 20% in the last five years, increasing from 2981 in 2018 to 3603 in 2023.[1]

The charity has also unveiled new research showing that employers who have hired veterans report that they contributed significantly to the workforce. Results show:

One in four (24%) employers praised veterans for bringing strong leadership skills to the workforce[2]
One in five (22%) employers say having a veteran in the organisation is great for building team spirit²
One in five (22%) employers praise veterans for bringing unique skills to the workforce²
One in five (20%) employers say hiring a veteran is good for business²

The Forces Employment Charity, which supports all members of the military community in achieving civilian employment success, has also seen a massive rise in the number of job roles it has secured for its clients. Last year, the charity secured 13,246 placements,[3] compared to 11,994 the previous year,[4] reflecting more than a 10% year-on-year increase.

Despite a significant increase in employers recognising the value of hiring veterans, less than half of UK employers (41%) say they know where and how to access talent from the military community.²

Furthermore, only one in three (35%) veterans say they feel proud of the skills they acquired in the military. Although 15,000 men and women leave the Armed Forces every year,[5] less than one in ten (8%) working-age veterans state that they know where to go for civilian employment support.[6]

The Forces Employment Charity exists to provide life-long, life-changing support, job opportunities, and training to Service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families, irrespective of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving. The charity also delivers Op NOVA on behalf of the NHS, supporting veterans in contact with the justice system.

Danielle Sandy, Military Talent Acquisition at Barclays

Danielle sought the support of the Forces Employment Charity’s Military Women programme to help her secure her new role, which drives veteran recruitment. She says,

“My advisor was fantastic throughout my application process for the Barclays position. She helped me not only with my CV but also put me through a number of mock interviews, which set me up perfectly on the big day. She is extremely knowledgeable and always on hand to provide support – no matter what time of the day.

I will be forever grateful for her assistance during a daunting experience. Going from a very comfortable position into a huge corporate brand during a pandemic was a risk and a challenge. Still, with her support, I could make a very smooth transition. She was engaged throughout the whole process, from the first viewing of the job advert and initial application to even following up with me in weeks one and three of my new role.

The whole experience was superb, and she gave me the confidence to take the next big step in my career. Although I have offered Service Leavers and Veterans advice for years, I often found it difficult to apply that same advice myself and lacked confidence! Thankfully, my advisor was able to offer me advice and build my confidence.”

Speaking about her role in Military Talent Acquisition at Barclays, she adds,

“As a Royal Navy veteran, I know first-hand both the incredible skills that veterans can bring to the civilian workforce, but also the common challenges that can sometimes act as a barrier to accessing meaningful employment once you have finished your Forces career. I am so proud to work for an organisation that takes active steps to embrace military talent and nurture their skills and abilities.”

The Forces Employment Charity’s Chief Executive Officer, Alistair Halliday, comments,

“These results paint an interesting picture. It is brilliant to see that the number of employers looking to hire veterans has risen so significantly, along with increasing numbers of the military community finding career success in the civilian world.

However, with so many workplaces still unsure how to access military talent and veterans themselves often feeling unclear about where best to access support, we must continue to improve awareness of these issues and bring greater clarity.

Events such as Armed Forces Day are key to celebrating and raising awareness of what the military community has to offer showing how valued and valuable they are, and providing an opportunity to connect employers with highly skilled ex-Forces personnel looking for their next challenge.”

Celebrating Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day is an annual event celebrated across the whole of the UK. The nation comes together to recognise and celebrate all members of the Armed Forces community, from serving personnel to military families to veterans, reservists, and cadets.

You can join in the celebrations with the Forces Employment Charity. Our staff will be attending Armed Forces Day events all over the country. They are on hand to explain how the charity helps military community members throughout their employment journey. Our support includes CV writing, application support, further development and upskilling.

[1] ^{Measured by the number of new employer contacts registering to advertise vacancies on veteran specific jobs board, RighJob. Figures}^{reported at 2981 in 2018}^to^{3603 in 2023}^{in the Forces Employment Charity Impact Reports.}

[2]^{Research carried out by OnePoll on behalf of the Forces Employment Charity. Research was undertaken from 16th – 24th May 2024 and polled 1000 UK-based employers.}

[3] ^{https://www.forcesemployment.org.uk/about-us/our-publications/}

[4] ^{https://issuu.com/rfeatheforcesemploymentcharity/docs/m20940_forces_employment_impact_report_awlr}

[5] ^{https://www.gov.uk/ government/collections/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-index}

[6] ^{Research carried out by OnePoll on behalf of the Forces Employment Charity. Research was undertaken from 15th – 28th May 2024 and polled 350 UK-based working-age veterans.}

If a career in finance interests you, read on to find out the key insights and takeaways from this year’s Pathways into Financial Services 2024 (PIFS24)! Held on Tuesday 4 June, the Forces Employment Charity, provided an event of inspirational speakers, panellist discussions followed by a ‘military friendly’ marketplace of 16 employers; all of whom were on hand to discuss their job opportunities and military network experiences to over 100 delegates.

The full day, hosted by BNY at their Blackfriars offices in London, brought some incredible speakers to the stage, sharing their own experiences and inspiration to help the delegates explore their next career steps.

Hopeful, curious, optimistic…

These were the three top words that came from the audience of over 100 delegates when asked, using a poll as to how they felt at the start of PIFS24.

The audience was made up of those leaving Service in the next 12-24 months, reservists, veterans, and military families, including young people. Many more also joined us virtually through a new livestream facility — an area the organisation is looking to grow so that more people can have access to these events from further afield, both across the UK and overseas.

PIFS24 the insights!

With five panel discussions and four key speakers, the day’s event started with BNY’s Regional Executive, Adriana Pierelli delivering the host’s official welcome including a key message that you do not necessarily need a background in finance to work within this sector. The required knowledge can be learned faster than the soft skills veterans have acquired in the Armed Forces. There are so many different roles available and hiring veterans and those from the wider military community makes good business sense.

Head of EMEA Securities Finance Relationship Management and Global Business Development Teams at BNY, Stephen Kiely – and a British Army veteran – followed by demystifying the sector. Key points for the audience from Stephen:

Validate if finance is (or is not) for you
Take a long look and ask as many employers and veterans on all aspects of the business – do your homework
Find out what you are good at, including your own personality and skillset
Transferrable skills are of huge value from the Armed Forces community – and know that
Military families – you know how to deal with lack of control, uncertainty and change – use this to your advantage
There are many different types of roles within financial services suited to service leavers, not just core finance roles. These include (but are not limited to) Operations, product development, risk & compliance, technology, business development and HR
Degree? Not all roles within the sector require one – just make sure you use your own evidence of experience to match the job role specification

PIFS24 panellist discussion themes

Panel discussions were animated and thorough, giving great insights and discussion points to explore different areas of the finance sector:

Pathways and transferrable skills
Financial crime and risk management
FinTech and digital assets
Sales, trading and investment banking
Tech and AI

Navigating your military pathway

Ian Rand, CEO of Monument, also a trustee of the Forces Employment Charity, spoke with 20 years of experience working in financial services, mentoring and recruiting ex-military personnel. He shared his tips on what to do… as well as what not to do! Here are just a few:

What works

Emphasise your strengths: You will probably have changed jobs every 6-24 months whilst in service. Use that story and show how you have the willingness and ability to learn
Make sure you meet and like the people you’d be working with
Think about all features of your career ladder. Height is not the most important feature!
Mentoring: look for someone two years in front of you (max of three)
Find a sponsor: someone who can tell other people how good you are

What doesn’t work

Make sure pay and rations work – don’t take ‘any’ job to get into a company
Show you can change but not too much! Your authenticity needs to stay with you

Above all – make yourself useful

Run to the fires — Your role is as big as you make it — Create your own opportunities!

PIFS24 Feedback

“This was an excellent event and the best that I have been to as a veteran, having left the military seven years ago.” Jeff Bevan, Royal Navy, Lt Cdr

“This event provided a great insight into financial services, the different sectors and pathways to enter the industry. It was really great to hear from industry leaders, recruiters and people who were in our position a year ago. I would highly recommend attending to learn more about financial services and make real connections!” Anonymous

“Not long ago, I would’ve been the person sat in this audience, and this is what makes the veteran network so unique. We hold the door for the next and continue to support those who follow after us.” Panellist member

“Events like this are the perfect way to understand and learn what is out there because the world is huge and the jobs that exist are varied and extremely different to what they may offer. To fully understand that I think it is useful to come to these events, meet people, hear the speakers talk in all their different sectors and understand what is out there and what I want to do that is available for me.” Anonymous delegate

Forces Employment Charity CEO, Alistair Halliday added:

“It was an utter joy to be at PIFS24 and experience such positivity, great questions and talented panellists sharing their own journeys, experiences and learning points. Having so many military-friendly employers attend our marketplace event sealed the day’s events with routes forward and tips for delegates to translate their skills into clear routes for new career paths.

“Thank you BNY and Ed Murphy for hosting us and also to our other sponsors. To all the brilliant speakers, especially Ian Rand and Michael Cole-Fontayn and all the informative panel sessions. Great to see so many Service leavers, veterans and family members getting such valuable insights into this great sector!”

Thank you to our sponsors

Gold sponsor and host: BNY
Silver sponsors: Barclays and Bank of America
Bronze sponsors: UBS and Revolut

The Forces Employment Charity

To conclude, the Forces Employment Charity provides life-long, life-changing support, jobs and training opportunities to Service leavers, veterans, reservists and their spouses, partners and children. This is regardless of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.

Our employment pathway events are part of Op PROSPER funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and designed to support the military community at all levels across the four nations. UK companies, dedicated to helping veterans overcome the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, make these initiatives possible.

If your company is interested in exploring ways of partnering with us, our Business Development Team would be happy to have an informal chat.

Do you know of a military-owned business that deserves recognition? Are you the owner, founder or creator of a business, charity, or start-up? Heropreneurs wants to shine a light on entrepreneurial excellence in the military community and invites you to apply for their upcoming awards.

Heropreneurs specialises in supporting the entrepreneurial ambitions of current and former military personnel and partners. Its bespoke one-to-one mentoring program equips aspiring business owners with the practical skills needed to thrive in the business world.

The Awards

On 14 November, Heropreneurs will host their annual Awards Night at the Shard in London. The Forces Employment Charity is thrilled to be participating in this evening, which will bring together entrepreneurs, mentors, mentees, and supporters to celebrate the achievements of the military business community.

Building relationships and connections is one of the most powerful tools in business. Heropreneurs will recognise excellence by announcing the Heropreneurs Awards winners and the winner of the prestigious Warwick Business School bursary award.

Who can be nominated?

Heropreneurs welcomes nominations of businesses owned, founded, or created by a military community member—a serving, veteran, or reservist of the UK Armed Forces—or their spouse or partners.

You can nominate yourself or a business you feel deserves recognition. If you are nominating someone else and don’t have all the information, you are still encouraged to complete the nomination forms. The Awards organisers will contact the nominee to request additional information if necessary.

The deadline for nominations is 5 pm on Friday 28 June.

This year, Heropreneurs is celebrating outstanding achievements in the following categories:

Product of the Year:

This award seeks to recognise the best products coming to market from the military business community. The product can come from any sector but must represent excellence in both quality and innovation. Apply now.

Technology Business of the Year:

This award recognises a business whose primary area of operation is technology, either through the development and manufacturing of technology or providing it as a service. Nominees should illustrate how technology is ingrained in the fabric of their business and how it enriches their end users’ experience. Whether it’s through growth, profitability, adaptability, or triumphing over obstacles. Apply now.

Start-up of the Year:

This award recognises a business in the early stages of its inception, making the exciting transition from concept to reality. The successful applicant will have a compelling commercial product or service, a robust business strategy, and passionate, committed leadership. Apply now.

Heropreneur of the Year:

The top award to be presented at the Heropreneur Awards. It recognises an exceptional individual who has built and managed a thriving business and made a remarkable, positive difference within the military business community. This award recognises success in growth, profitability, adaptability, and overcoming challenges. Apply now.

Could you be nominated? Shine a light on your achievements and let Heroprenuers know about your business. Read more about the Awards.

The 7th annual British Ex-Forces in Business Awards will be preceded by a unique new conference, MilFest 2024
MilFest features a rich programme of content and speakers to elevate the discourse and deepen engagement between the Armed Forces community and UK industry
The Forces Employment Charity will exhibit at MilFest 2024 and participate in the programme
MilFest registrations are now open. Service leavers, veterans, reservists, military spouses and service family members can claim a free ticket
Both events are on 27 June at Grosvenor House London but admissions are separate (an Awards ticket in the evening is not needed to register for the daytime conference)

A ‘festival of business’ connecting Forces Friendly firms with talent and companies from the Armed Forces community will accompany this year’s British Ex-Forces in Business Awards.

Dubbed ‘the Oscars of veteran employment’, the British Ex-Forces in Business Awards is the world’s largest business celebration of the Armed Forces community and has led the way in promoting and championing the veteran talent pool since its inaugural edition back in 2018.

With over 1,200 business and military leaders already descending on London for this year’s evening Awards Ceremony on 27th June, it presents an opportunity to convene the Armed Forces community for a first-of-its-kind summit, MilFest, during the daytime at the same venue.

MilFest is specially designed with a rich programme of content

If the UK is to meet the government’s goal to be the best place in the world to be a veteran, the time is now to elevate the discourse to something more holistic, encompassing a wider pool of stakeholders. By hiring from the military community and using veteran-owned suppliers, companies are not just helping those who served and their families to succeed in civilian life – crucially, they are accessing world-class skills and values which align with business success.

While the Awards is an unrivalled platform for showcasing veteran talent, a content-driven conference format can facilitate deeper engagement. MilFest is specially designed with a rich programme of content – including keynote speakers, interactive panels, fireside chats and industry workshops – to further unlock the power of the Armed Forces community in business.

20+ top speakers are already announced , including:

Vice Admiral Phil Hally, Chief of Defence People
Lord Sedwill, Former Cabinet Secretary & UK National Security Adviser
Helen Selby, General Counsel & Company Secretary, ASDA
Robert Hughes-Penney, Investment Director, Rathbones
Michael Hill, Chief Digital & Information Officer, Cabinet Office
Sue Harriman, CEO, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB

MilFest 2024 will explore a diverse range of content streams including:

Inspiration and insights from successful veterans in business
How to find the right job and industry, then sell yourself to your dream employer
Adapting to a business environment after serving in the military
Starting and growing a business: key things to consider
What veterans bring to businesses – as employees, contractors and suppliers
How to attract the Armed Forces community and maximise their talents
The future of supplier diversity and workforce diversity

Service leavers, veterans, reservists, military spouses and service family members can claim a free ticket to MilFest 2024 on 27 June, Grosvenor House London. Find out more, including the speaker line-up, and book your place here.

Want to keep up to date with the latest news, updates, events and more? Join our mailing list.

Are you looking for an opportunity to meet key contacts and build a new career in financial services? Your first step should be to register today to join Pathways into Financial Services 2024 (PIFS24) this June! Gain a complete overview of a career in financial services on Tuesday 4 June, in London or at a regional evening event in Glasgow on Tuesday 18 June.

What the spotlight sessions at Pathways into Financial Services will focus on:

Financial crime, risk and compliance roles
Fin techs and digital assets
Sales, trading and investment banking
Tech and AI

Your top five reasons to attend Pathways into Financial Services:

Explore the wide range of roles available in the finance sector – including the wider business support arena!
Hear from hiring managers, and military pathway leads to build valuable connections. Understand the value that your transferrable skills bring to employers
Find out the difference between each organisation, the timelines for each of their programmes, and which suits you best
Hear from those who have travelled before you and what their learning points are
Know what to do next – be clear on your next steps and how to make use of our career consultants at the Forces Employment Charity to spring yourself forward!

Who can attend:

Veterans
Service leavers
Reservists
Military families (spouses/partners and young people)

In addition, read about Craig Blackburn’s experience at last year’s ‘Careers in Finance’, or watch Craig’s interview on transitioning out of the Armed Forces on YouTube.

During the afternoon’s marketplace, meet up to 15 employers who will exhibit, giving you time to network with each. Crucially, many will be veterans themselves and keen to offer tips and advice on how to approach and navigate the application process.

We are working in partnership with BNY Mellon who is hosting this year’s London event. Barclays will be hosting our regional event in Glasgow.

Living in Scotland or the north of England?

We are also holding a regional employer marketplace and networking evening in Scotland, hosted by Barclays at its Glasgow campus from 6 – 8 pm.

Register to join in person to explore roles available with up to 10 different employers from the financial sector; all of which have a presence in Scotland and/or northern England.

Maximise your Scottish experience! Register to join the London event virtually and live stream the day’s events as they unfold?

Our ‘Pathways into…’ events are part of Op PROSPER

The Forces Employment Charity provides one of three workstreams of Op PROSPER; a government-led programme through the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, awarded to us through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. We provide the Employment Pathway workstream through our ‘Pathways into…’ events which aims to empower veterans and their families, the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, enabling them to thrive in society by ensuring equal access to employment opportunities and supporting them into sustainable, valuable careers.

Explore more events

Keep watching our events page! Find out what other opportunities are there for you to explore:

5 June: LinkedIn Essentials – an online workshop to help you become a whiz on LinkedIn!
18 June onwards: Lunchtime Learning webinars themed: ‘Planning my job search – where do I start?’ and hosted by our Senior Executive Career Consultant, Lisa Jones. This not-to-be-missed series will run throughout June and July 2024 and suitable for all ranks and Service backgrounds. Families are welcome too!
11 Sep: Pathways into Technology – Keep an eye on the events page or sign up for our newsletter to keep you posted

Are you an employer looking for talent?

Register your interest to start your Op PROSPER journey today.
Questions? Email [email protected]

Prime Minister to meet veterans, businesses and charities today to announce dedicated employment support service
New funding will support veterans into high-skilled high-paid jobs
The Government commits to making the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran

The Prime Minister met with veterans and businesses today (Friday 12 April) at a Veterans Connect event at a military museum, where he launched OP PROSPER – a wraparound employment service to support veterans into work after they leave the Armed Forces. The Forces Employment Charity is delighted to be one of the grant-awarded organisations to deliver this initiative through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

OP PROSPER will be backed by £2.1 million in new funding. The scheme will support veterans in securing high paid jobs, where they can hone the skills that they developed in the military in key sectors that are helping to boost the economy. This includes areas like cyber and digital, manufacturing, energy and financial and professional services.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

“The courageous men and women who have served in our Armed Forces represent the very best of our country and we must serve them as well as they have served us.

“They deserve our full support to thrive in civilian life and to continue contributing their incredible skills to the prosperity of our country. That is why I am proud to announce OP PROSPER, which will support veterans in securing high-skilled roles in key sectors that are helping to grow the economy.”

The Prime Minister will be joined by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer today, to meet veterans and some of the leading employers of veterans in the UK, including Deloitte, Amazon and Centrica.

Veterans’ employment in the UK is at an all-time high, at 89%, but there is more we can do. OP PROSPER will build on the support already available and will improve awareness of the skills and talents of veterans among industry and employers, to encourage businesses to hire veterans.

The initiative will also provide wrap-around support to veterans and their families, delivered by experienced employability professionals. This will make sure that they are supported to go straight into new roles or take the next step in their existing career.

In 2022, the Government introduced a 12-month National Insurance relief for employers hiring veterans into their first role after service, which has been extended for another year. This tax incentive gives businesses potential savings of up to £6,200 per employee, while also allowing them to benefit from the fantastic skills and experience that veterans bring.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer said:

“Our veterans leave the military with an abundance of skills, and the tenacity and drive to continue achieving greatness. But for too long, too many have ended up in jobs that don’t fully harness their talents and abilities. That is why we’re introducing Op Prosper.

“By connecting veterans with employers, engaging industry bodies on the importance of hiring veterans, and strengthening their qualifications and skills, this Government will ensure more ex-servicemen and women are securing high quality and fulfilling employment.

“Hiring a veteran is one of the best business decisions a company can make, and OP PROSPER will help ensure this is realised by all employers across the country.”

The Government has committed to make the UK the best place in the world for veterans, providing an additional £33 million in funding to support veterans over the next three years, with a further £10 million announced in the 2023 Autumn statement for veterans’ healthcare. In 2021, Op Courage was launched as a bespoke mental health support for veterans supported by professionals who are from or have experience of working with the military community, and over 30,000 veterans have used this service to date.

Earlier this year the government launched a new digital service enabling veterans to verify their veteran status and apply for a Veteran Card, streamlining the process to access veteran-specific support. Since the project launched, almost 100,000 Veteran Cards have been issued.

The Veteran Card provides veterans with a clear recognition of service, a tangible link to the Armed Forces, and allows them to easily verify their veteran status to access support and services from government, charities, and local authorities.

This government established the Office for Veterans’ Affairs to better coordinate veterans’ policy, bring together and improve our knowledge of veterans, and provide dedicated policy work on veterans. In October last year, the Government launched a consultation to gather views from veterans and intends to publish the first ever draft Veterans Bill outlining how we could legislate to ensure that the progress made in recent years to transform veterans’ care in this country is secured. With the Veterans’ Strategy at its core, this will maintain the momentum on our ambition to make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran.

Chris Recchia, partner at Deloitte, lead for the firm’s Military Transition and Talent Programme and founder of the VeteransWork Employment Campaign, said:

“At Deloitte, we’ve helped influence over 7,000 veterans’ transition journeys in the last 12 years, whilst helping to evolve the veteran narrative and make the UK the best place to be a veteran.

“There are tangible benefits of having veterans in an organisation and making it a business imperative to do so, as they possess relevant transferrable skills, a positive attitude, resilience and an ability to make culture enhancing contributions not only here at Deloitte, but in the finance and professional services sector and the wider UK workforce.”

Alistair Halliday, Chief Exec, Forces Employment Charity, said:

“We are excited that Op PROSPER supports us in developing and extending our specialist knowledge and understanding to bridge the gap between military life and civilian employment and work in partnership with hundreds of employers who, like us, respect and value the unique qualities and abilities of all those who have served and their families.”

“Veterans and their families will be able to come to the Forces Employment Charity and receive free 121 support from our specialist career advisors to explore new job opportunities that will enhance success and prosperity for themselves and their families, regardless of their background or where they are based in the UK.”

James Cameron, CEO of Mission Community, said:

“We are delighted to have been announced by the Prime Minister as one of the grant-awarded organisations for Op PROSPER leading on the delivery of sector initiatives. Building on the success of the Armed Forces engagement initiatives in Automotive and in Renewables, we welcome government reinforcement of our strategic work with trade bodies and leading companies making the commercial and social value case for Armed Forces community engagement.

“Since 2019, this top-down approach empowers industry as champions for this cause, helping us create a community of communities, supporting our veterans and their families by positively influencing the kinds of cultures and behaviours they will find within sectors.”

This year’s Women into Employment (WIE24) event, the third of its kind run by the Forces Employment Charity, celebrated a packed agenda on Tuesday 26 March. Held at UBS with gold sponsor, Octopus Energy the event brought incredible speakers to the stage. WIE24 also welcomed employers actively seeking to recruit from within the military community, of which 154 delegates were present – family members included!

WIE24 in a snapshot

154 delegates
33 superb speakers
23 Forces friendly employers
7 supporting career organisations

Thank you to all who attended and who provided feedback. An amazing 64% of delegates who attended this year’s event said they would recommend to others! Just over 30% were veterans, 30% were currently serving, 23% were military spouses/partners and 10% reservists.

In terms of the breakdown of who was actively looking for employment, 43% said they were and 38% said they weren’t but the event had now given them the confidence to start looking.

Research

Recent research carried out by the Forces Employment Charity* states that women are more likely to deselect themselves from roles they could be suitable for. Figures also show that 72% of female veterans said they had found their transition to ‘civvy street’ harder than expected. This is compared with 63% of men.

When female partners and spouses of serving personnel were asked, 1 in 6 stated that the impact on their career was the hardest thing about being in the Forces community, with the top barrier to employment being frequent house moves (25%), closely followed by not having close networks nearby (22%).

Highlights of the morning at WIE24

Chaired by BFBS Forces News reporter, Sian Grzeszczyk, WIE24 focused on helping women to recognise their worth and harness their full potential. Sian shared some inspirational quotes, connecting them to maximising on takeaways from the event, making each session and networking opportunity count.

Two quotes which resonated with many at WIE24:

“Shy ducks get no bread” (i.e. don’t ever be afraid to ask questions!)
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent” by Eleanor Roosevelt (use your carrier strike group! Know what and who you have around you for support and use them)

Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) Director, Anisha Worbs gave the official welcome address to WIE24 covering:

overcoming the barriers women face when applying for jobs
the OVA’s work with partners to get veterans into valuable, sustainable employment
the need to shape support for women veterans based on their unique experiences

Following the host welcome from UBS Investment Bank’s Executive Vice Chairman, Kevin Arnold, headline sponsor – Octopus Energy introduced Breffney Brass as the Chief of Staff at Octopus Energy Services at WIE24 to speak in the morning’s conference theatre.

Octopus Energy is a Forces Friendly employer and signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, so actively looks to employ and assist those in the military community.

Breffney offered great mentorship and practical advice to help folks from the military community — both women and men — make sense of their next career and chart a path to success in a new organisation:

“Be nosy. Don’t sit on the sidelines. Don’t be content with not knowing what others do or how things work. Knowing all the jargon doesn’t matter nearly as much as showing up and being eager. Lastly, don’t let anyone talk you into having imposter syndrome. Everyone is making most of it up as they go.”

First panellist sessions

Channelling your superpower: Our first panellists came from The Warrior Programme (Rebecca Gallimore), YourNorth (Kelly Farr), BNY Mellon (Claudine Martin) and the Forces Employment Charity (Annette Berry).

Industry spotlight panel: UBS (Jannine von Bergen), Centrica (Laura Blair), Octopus Electric Vehicles (Charlotte White) and Amazon (Cath Possamai).

Our guest inspirational speaker at WIE24

We welcomed to WIE24, trainer and coach from the Elite Academy of Development and Wellbeing and the Warrior Programme, Michelle Chapman to provide this year’s inspirational address. It was titled ‘The Great Confidence Myth — how to squash self-doubt and learn to thrive’.  

Michelle provided a simple and very effective flip chart activity on centre stage, using A4 Post-It Notes provoking thought into how we build layers from childhood to now, and how we see ourselves, all relating to self-belief. To then remove those beliefs – to reflect that our identities have been removed (ie who are we if we aren’t x or y) see it instead as releasing/giving ourselves ‘space’ to just ‘be’. Michelle ended with a quote also… “You are under no obligation to be the same person you were five minutes ago.” By Alan Watts.

Afternoon breakout sessions

The afternoon’s four panellist sessions included:

Careers in Sustainability/social impact

Chaired by Sarah Stone of Samtaler, Rosie Buckley (Centrica), Emma Morgan (Amazon), Jade Chesney (Octopus Energy) and Thammy Evans (MOD)

Careers in creative industries

Chaired by Lucy Heaver from Forces Employment Charity, Sian Grzeszczyk (BFBS), Claudia Solano (Asda), Jennifer Jessey (The Telegraph) and Meredyth Grant (Charlie Charlie One)

Careers in government and third sector

Chaired by John Cunningham from Forces Employment Charity, Vivienne Buck (Blesma), Hannah Jarvis (Bryn Carw Consultancy), Jenna Clare (MOD) and Sian Woodland (Woody’s Lodge)

Careers in self-employment

Chaired by Martin Wing of X-Forces Enterprise, Charlotte Cox (Coxy Recruits), Amy Price (The Social Butterfly) and Keri Jones (Keri Jones Floral Design).

Watch post-event videos:

Channelling your superpower (4 mins)
Meet the sponsors and employers (5 mins)

Frequently Asked Questions at WIE24

Q: Leadership – How women had utilised their military experience in their lives beyond the Armed Forces and whether it was relevant and translatable
A:  Yes, very translatable and how valuable the military models and frameworks are

Q: Rank and levels and whether this was important in civilian life and if employers were biased towards certain backgrounds or levels
A: Employers are more interested in what individuals have done and the skills developed than the rank or level

Q: Where people are seeing growth and progression
A: Tech and renewables/green energy/net zero

Q: What kind of areas and jobs will stand the test of time?
A: Human input, experience, ideas and relationships are key and will still be important, despite AI

Q: Key skills employers admire in Armed Forces community?
A: Resilience and adaptability — attractive to an ever-changing environment

General comment:

Flexible working is important to many. Doing something that mattered for their children was important (veterans and military personnel as well as family members)

Reflecting on WIE24 – what our delegates said

“Such an inspiring day at the Women into Employment event by Forces Employment Charity today!

“It’s been incredible to see so many come together to support serving women, veterans and family members, and advocate for their potential and the skills they offer.

“It’s so easy to get stuck in a rhythm of putting ourselves in boxes, limiting ourselves to what we think we’re capable of but today will have encouraged many, if not all those attending to question that mindset.”

“Key takeaway: “You do not have to be the person that you or others have ingrained in your head that you are.

“Inspiring talks and great panel discussions from industry spotlights and channelling your superpower! With some great questions:

what are your superpowers?
are they the same every day?
do they always exist?

“Lovely to meet and connect with new people and reconnect with others! I’m looking forward to the follow up calls already!”

Veterans’ Network lead, Harriet James reflected on UBS hosting this year’s Women into Employment event:

“UBS are very passionate about its D&I objectives and enacting them. Being able to host Women into Employment 2024 shows that we support the Armed Forces Community. At UBS we have the Veterans Network as well as the Ex-Forces Associate Programme (EFAP) — a very specific recruitment process for veterans to be able to align into roles that would fit within the bank.

“I think today’s event is important as it broadens people’s imagination about the range of companies that offer schemes that they might not be aware of but also the range of opportunities available at each of those employers. There is HR, admin, and tech, so just making people realise that these companies have more than just what their main goal is.”

Forces Employment Charity CEO, Alistair Halliday added:

“What a pleasure it was to hear about some incredible personal journeys and to see the impact those stories had on the audience. Many had started the event feeling uncertain on many topics but left feeling empowered, upbeat, and now confident — ready to take on the civilian employment market! The buzz created by many conversations through new connections, conversations, and reunions and even building new friendships, was fabulous.”

The Forces Employment Charity

We provide life-long, life-changing support, jobs and training opportunities to Service leavers, veterans, reservists and their spouses, partners and children. This is regardless of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving. Register today to link up with a career consultant or join our mailing list to keep you updated on our latest news and events.

Our programs are designed to support the whole military community. These initiatives are made possible by UK companies dedicated to helping veterans overcome the challenges of transitioning to civilian life. Contact us if you would like to have an informal chat on recruiting veterans – or the wider military community.

* Research undertaken by OnePoll on behalf of the Forces Employment Charity between 8th to 22nd November 2023.