Minister for Defence People and Veterans Tobias Ellwood has praised businesses and charities that support service leavers taking the next step in their career, following an event hosted by Deloitte UK…
The Officers’ Association Careers Forum provided the chance for personnel preparing to leave the military to hear more about the career opportunities open to them. Ex-forces personnel who have successfully transitioned into the civilian workplace also attended to share advice and guidance, as well as employers and recruiters from a breadth of industries.
Guests were encouraged to take part in breakout sessions on sectors such as financial services, cyber, construction and consultancy.
Minister for Defence People and Veterans Tobias Ellwood said: “I want to make sure our people have access to the opportunities they deserve, and I pay tribute to the organisations who do so much to support our service leavers as they begin the next chapter of their working lives. Our armed forces offer a vast range of transferrable skills, and I urge all businesses to tap into this exceptional pool of talent.”
CEO of the Officers’ Association Lee Holloway said: “All service leavers have skills and abilities much sought after by British businesses. Whilst employers recognise this, the OA will continue to champion the value and benefit of this military experience so that veterans are able to capitalise on their time in the Armed Forces.”
The recent Veterans Work: Moving On report, produced by Deloitte, the Officers’ Association and Forces in Mind Trust, has shown that veteran employment rates at 81% are far higher than the national average of 75.5%. The report looked at priorities for service leavers as they transition and their experiences of finding a job.
Partner at Deloitte and Chair of the Veterans Work Consortium Chris Recchia said: “Our recent study found veterans are highly employable due to the hard work, determination, flexibility in where they work and critically, a willingness to try a whole new career.”
