New figures released 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.
The charity has also unveiled new research which shows that employers who have hired veterans report that they contributed significantly to the workforce. Results show:
- 1 in 4 (24%) employers praised veterans for bringing strong leadership skills to the workforce
- 1 in 5 (22%) employers say having a veteran in the organisation is great for building team spirit
- 1 in 5 (22%) employers praise veterans for bringing unique skills to the workforce
- 1 in 5 (20%) employers say hiring a veteran is good for business
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, compared to 11,994 the previous year, 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. Furthermore, only 1 in 3 (35%) veterans say they feel proud of the skills they acquired during their time in the military, and whilst around 15,000 men and women leave the Armed Forces every year, less than 1 in 10 (8%) working-age veterans state that they know where to go for civilian employment support.
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, 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 to myself and lacked confidence! Thankfully, my advisor was able to offer me advice and build my confidence.”
Speaking about her role as 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 not clear where best to access support, we must continue to improve awareness of these things 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.”
Armed Forces Day takes place each year, and the whole of the UK comes together to recognise and celebrate all members of the Armed Forces community, from serving personnel to military families to veterans, reservists, and cadets.
Staff from the Forces Employment Charity will attend a host of events all over the country in support of Armed Forces Day. They will be on hand to provide more information about how the charity can help members of the military community take their next step on the career ladder, whether that be helping with their CVs, searching for suitable jobs, or using interview techniques to help secure funding for training opportunities.