Career advice

FFJ Explores CV Writing with the Forces Employment Charity

Lee and Joanne from the Forces Employment Charity (formerly the RFEA) joined us at FFJ to give some hints and tips to help you to create the best possible CV for your job search, take a look at our webinar:

  

British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS)

We host successful National Employment & Careers Fairs across the country, open to military spouses and partners, as well as veterans and service leavers. Our aim is to continuously introduce the Armed Forces community to our Forces friendly companies, and try to ensure they are fully aware of the benefits of employing from this community. We have also started doing Military 2 (M2) events which are bespoke Industry / Sector events i.e., Military 2 Defence (M2D) and Military 2 Construction (M2C) etc.

Our commitment to the Armed Forces community

BFRS is a Social Enterprise (SE) that works in support of the Armed Forces Community (AFC). It was established in September 2009 by the company CEO Harry Dean.  BFRS' primary social objective is to work as the focal point between the AFC and commercial businesses, helping the AFC to engage face-to-face, digitally with companies across the UK, to ensure the right help, support, and advice is provided when moving into future careers. Families form part of our AFC from those serving, reservist or indeed veterans; we are here to help.

Visit the BFRS site to find out more.

 

BizEd Projects C.I.C.

Current CV and application processes do not support the skills or knowledge gained through volunteering or other unpaid experience to be emphasised within the recruitment process. This can result in a half-filled CV or incomplete application, especially if you have relocated several times. BizEd Projects will work with you to convert all of your experience from personal and professional experience and package this in a way to help you gain employment. Simply send through any existing information, follow up with a call to discuss with our friendly team and then we will return the updated document to you to review.

We offer an online service with a 20% discount for forces families. 

Our commitment to the Armed Forces community

BizEd Projects C.I.C is committed to supporting the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure that armed forces families are not unfairly disadvantaged when they seek employment or opportunities within the workplace. We develop products for individuals and employers to break down barriers and challenge existing work practices that may unconsciously discriminate.

Visit the BizEd site to find out more. 

 

Career Pursuit

Are you a military spouse or partner facing a barrage of job-related hurdles? From constant relocations to resume gaps, changing career tracks, childcare demands, and the unique challenges of military life, the struggle is real.

But here's the good news: the search for the perfect career assistance just got a whole lot easier! Introducing Career Pursuit, your one-stop destination for top-notch resources and unwavering career and business support tailored to your military family's needs.

We get it, the path to career success can feel overwhelming, but with Career Pursuit by your side, you're never alone in your journey. Whether you are looking to kickstart a new career or launch a new business, say goodbye to lengthy and frustrating searches for guidance – we've got you covered!

You can access Career Pursuit at: Career Pursuit

 

Career Returners

Career Returners is a purpose-led Network, Coaching and Consulting organisation which enables talented professionals to return to work after an extended career break. Our mission is to remove the career break penalty. If you’re thinking about returning to work, join our free Career Returners Professional Network  to benefit from:

  • Info about the latest returner opportunities and engagement events
  • Monthly free practical return to work webinars
  • Monthly ‘Your Return’ support magazine
  • A comprehensive Advice Hub and resource signposts
  • A Success Story Library with over 100 returner stories to inspire and motivate
  • Paid for individual support from our experienced coaching team.

Our commitment to the Armed Forces community

We recognise the value that serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business and to our country. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant and ensure that veterans and service spouses and partners in particular have full access to all Career Returner opportunities.

Visit the Career Returners site to find out more.

 

 Families Employment Support Officer - Army Welfare Service - Northern Ireland

The Families Employment Support Officer assists and advises the dependants of Service Personnel on the issues relating to finding employment in Northern Ireland.

The support officer covers NI and will provide local information relating to the area in which you live and work. Advice and information is available to all dependants (both partners and school leavers).

We offer information on a wide range of topics, for example:

  • Focused employment searches
  • NI specific employment information
  • Job centre contact details
  • Vacancies in local press and online
  • Information on colleges and universities
  • Employment agencies and how to register
  • Civil service applications – MOD and NI Civil service
  • Signposting service for specialist advice on careers changes
  • CV writing / updating advice
  • “Civilianising” your CV
  • Interview techniques and skills
  • Signposting for security advice on external firms.

Our commitment to the Armed Forces community

The Families Employment Support Officer continues to provide the dependants of the serving Service Personnel in Northern Ireland with information, advice and guidance on all aspects of seeking employment, further education and training throughout their time in Northern Ireland.

Please contact RC-AWS-N-38X-0Mailbox@mod.gov.uk for more information. 

Before applying for a job in Northern Ireland, Forces Families Jobs recommends that you contact the Families Employment Support Officer for further information and advice.

 

Forces CV and Career Services

Since 2010 we have helped 1000's of members of the military community to communicate their vast range of skills and expertise to employers and secure their next job fast! We provide interview - winning CV's, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles, help our clients to become clear on their career direction and perform well at interview. 

We offer free CV health checks and prices discounted against normal civilian rates.

Our commitment to the Armed Forces community

The company was founded by former military spouse, Sian Richardson. We work with the military community at all levels across the tri-services. Our coaching specialist is also a current military spouse and former member of the RAF. We hold the Bronze AFC award and work closely with a number of military organisations, including BFRS whose events we attend to give free CV and career advice. 

Visit the Forces CV website to find out more. 

 

Forces Employment Charity

The Forces Employment Charity (FEC) exists to help its clients achieve their full potential. The FEC provides life-long, life-changing support, jobs, networking, and training opportunities to Service leavers, veterans, reservists, and their families – regardless of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.

We offer advice and guidance to support partners and spouses of serving military personnel into employment. We are experts in understanding local job markets and how your skills and aspirations best fit with the jobs available as well as advising on how to overcome or work around barriers to employment, such as having been out of employment for a long time, or childcare. We provide advice in developing your CV and interview preparation. For more information on our Families Programme, click here.

In 2022 the FEC launched a new programme supporting Service children aged 16-24. It’s dedicated advisors provide one-to-one advice and guidance, helping everyone realise their full potential. Receive guidance on identifying your next steps, whether that is applying for an apprenticeship or a job, finding the right university course, training, mentoring or interview preparation, the FEC will help future-proof your career. Register online to be contacted by an advisor.

Visit the Forces Employment Charity site to find out more.

 

Higher Futures

Higher Futures offers a comprehensive skills service to the military community. With the largest concentration of army resources in the country, Wiltshire and Swindon is fortunate to have a wealth of highly skilled and resilient people to boost our employment talent pool.

Our specialist consultants offer:

  • Support for the military community in accessing a university level education
  • Support for veterans and reservists to further develop their military skills into civilian recognised qualifications to enhance their employment prospects
  • Access to work experience placements in a variety of sectors across the region
  • Local, flexibly delivered university level courses through our network of UK wide universities and colleges
  • Advise on how to keep training costs down by using the accreditation of any prior learning
  • An end to end brokerage service providing access to bespoke higher level education designed to meet specific needs
  • A range of offers for military personnel and their families including information on local job vacancies
  • Advice on potential sources of funding to benefit all members of the military community.

 Visit the Higher Futures site to find out more.

 

imployable

Free & Online

Whether you are in education, looking for a career change, leaving the military or simply curious about careers, the completely free, ad free imployable app will give you all the information you need to find and enter a new career.

Get valuable career insights on over 1000 potential jobs in the UK, learn about the day to day job, salaries, entry requirements and what qualifications you are likely to need to break in to that career. In addition, build an imployable profile and see how you match compared to potential and live job opportunities as well as completely free access to online coaching, live qualifications to apply for, jobs and local and national support..

Our commitment to the Armed Forces Community

Our co-founders are both former military and 11% of our users are veterans or family. The App was originally built to help veterans transition in their career, but now it helps everybody. The journey to a more fulfilling career starts here. The imployable App gives you control of every step so that you can identify, map and track your way into the career that you deserve by building your digital CV with imployable. Identify the career you want, see how you fit and what you need to break in to that career. Get access to the qualifications and experience you need, once you are ready use our inbuilt job board to apply for jobs that suit you. The app is packed with coaching videos, support features and access to exclusive perks. We exist to make a difference.

Visit the imployable site to find out more. 

 

LifeWorks Families, Royal British Legion Industries

Free & Online

A fully funded support service to help military spouses and partners get the job they want. 

Lifeworks is an award-winning course at the heart of the RBLI support programme. The  employability support programme is modular (face to face or remote learning) and completely free to the families of service personnel.

Lifeworks cover all areas of employability skills and the personal development that supports that change. This includes coaching sessions for change, skills development session for CVs, covering letters, interviews and even coaching to understand what work not only suits you but what you would love to do.

Our Lifeworks team takes the time to understand the individuals we help, tailoring our support to develop their self-efficacy towards work readiness. This is through a skilled team of Employment Advisors, Vocational Development Coaches and Vocational assessors.

Our commitment to the Armed Forces community

RBLI has been improving the lives of our Armed Forces since 1919. Leading the way in providing high quality and life-changing support to the whole Armed Forces Community every day across the UK and abroad.  There are many ways that we provide support, from free employment support for Armed Forces veterans, their spouses and partners, to high quality nursing care provided in our nursing and accommodation centres.

Visit the LifeWorks site to find out more.

 

Military Coworking Network (MCN)

The mission of the MCN is simple - to provide military spouses and partners of serving personnel across any of the services, the means, the opportunity, and the support they need to achieve their full career potential and maintain independent, professional lives alongside military life.

We achieve this by working in partnership with other organisations whose mission it is to make family life in the military easier, and via our community of military spouses because this is a community that works for the community, gives back to the community, and supports the community.  Our members are the backbone of the MCN – our success is their success.

How do we know what they need?  Because these are our stories too – we are the military spouses. The MCN has been built by us, for us. 

How do we do this? We achieve this via our Online Community and our Coworking Hub Network.

Our Online Community enables our members to link up with people who share their values, understand the challenges they face, and can relate to the problems they experience. Through the many networking opportunities we offer, they can rebuild their support network and make meaningful friendships that can last a lifetime.  Here they have access to a wide range of resources, including career and business support as well as learning and development opportunities to drive and inspire personal and professional development.  And it’s FREE to join!

And finally, our Network of Coworking Hubs gives them a contemporary, stylish space where they can work, study, and connect with like-minded people, share advice, exchange experiences, and learn from their peers. To use one of our coworking hubs, you need to become a member of our Hub Network.  We offer three levels of membership – Gold, Silver and Bronze, depending on your hotdesking needs.  Membership starts at just £20/year, offering excellent value for money.

Visit the Military Coworking Network site to find out more.

 

My Future in Portsmouth - Portsmouth City Council

My Future in Portsmouth works with 16 - 24 year olds across the PO1 - PO6 postcodes, supporting people into paid employment. 

Our team offers the following support:
- 1:1 careers advice with our approachable, experienced staff
- Finding full and part-time jobs, work experience, apprenticeships and Kickstart opportunities 
- Support to write CVs, job applications and cover letters
- Interview preparation
- Support to find the best pathway for each individual
- In-work support, and help if the job doesn't work out
- Signposting to courses, support groups and personal support required (such as housing, debt management etc)
- Health and wellbeing support 

This is a completely free service. Email us to take that first step towards finding your future career. 

Our commitment to the Armed Forces community

Portsmouth City Council have signed the Armed Forces Covenant. Since 2017 we have partnered with Southampton, Gosport and Isle of Wight councils to adopt a partnership approach to delivering the covenant within the Solent region of the wider County of Hampshire. Entitled Strengthening Local Covenant delivery, the aim of this partnership is to:
 - Raise awareness among serving personnel, reservists and veterans of the support they can expect from local authorities;
 - Provide a broader understanding of the needs of the local veteran population as well as serving personnel during transition to civilian life;
 - Evaluate the impact of these initiatives.

Visit the Portsmouth Council site to find out more.  

 

Pinnacle Group Ltd

Free coaching, mentoring and support to help shape the working future you want. We are offering free one-to-one career and small business support to military families, veterans and communities.

We currently offer 11 programmes, six of which relate to employability and helping SP, veterans and their families with job seeking support, three business mentoring programmes for those who want to launch a business or have an existing business, plus a finance related short programme entitled Budgeting Matters and a programme aimed at 16 years old and above entitled Entrepreneurial Futures, for those who see themselves eventually having their own business.

Find out more about our programmes here

Our commitment to the Armed Forces community

Pinnacle Group holds the Armed Forces Covenant ERS Gold Award. We also have an internal group wide Pinnacle Armed Forces Network Committee. We employ many former Armed Forces Personnel. As a holder of MOD /DIO Contracts, Pinnacle Group has established a Social Value Fund which funds all of the programmes we offer so they are totally free to those who want to come onto our programmes. 

For more information about any of the programmes email psv@pinnaclegroup.co.uk

 

Recruit For Spouses

Recruit for Spouses is an award-winning social enterprise proud to represent military spouses and partners across the Armed Forces community. Their aim is to return talent to the workforce by providing spouses with opportunities to enhance their career and find gainful employment.

RFS Career Academy provides FREE Coaching and Mentoring, Masterclasses, Virtual workshops, as well as online courses and resources in their Self-development Hub, including CV writing. They are launching a new Mental Health & Wellbeing programme in partnership with Owl Therapy in January 2024. RFS has partnered with Online Business School to allow Level 3–7 qualifications in business and management with a fantastic 40% discount. OBS are an ELCAS provider and they are extending their discount to all members of the Armed Forces community. Free courses and helpful articles have been curated by RFS Career Academy in partnership with OpenLearn, the free learning website from The Open University (OU). Take a look here.  

The RFS Recruitment team connect the Armed Forces Community with supportive employers, offering remote and flexible working with companies that value and understand the unique strengths and skill set. They offer fixed-term, full-time, part-time, office-based and remote working roles across a variety of sectors. By leveraging the strengths of military spouses, employers gain diversity, innovation, and a positive culture, contributing to a more inclusive workforce.

Visit the Recruit For Spouses site to find out more.

 

Royal Airforce Benevolent Fund

Wellbeing and employment workshops for partners of RAF personnel. 

Our programme, Thrive, aims to help partners overcome these barriers and aims to also:

  • increase the employability of partners who are looking for paid employment
  • further the skills of partners who are already resourceful
  • explore alternatives to paid employment
  • improve overall wellbeing and emotional resilience
  • reduce social isolation. 

We will be running Thrive workshops across the RAF through the use of online platforms and these will be led by qualified coaches who themselves have served or are partners of the serving RAF.

Visit the RAF Benevolent Fund site to find out more and register.  

 

The Career Transition Partnership

The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) is the Ministry of Defence working with Right Management. We are proud to be the official provider of resettlement and have supported leavers of the Armed Forces for over 20 years, as they transition from the military into civilian life. There are huge benefits from registering and accessing the wealth of support we offer, from career transition guidance, skills workshops, vocational training and routes to employment. 

Visit the CTP site to find out more. 

  

Skills Development Scotland

Career advice and support 

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is the national skills agency, supporting the people and businesses of Scotland to develop and apply their skills.  As part of this, they deliver Scotland’s career service as well as Scottish Apprenticeships on behalf of Scottish Government. Working with their partners, SDS aim to ensure every individual has the skills and confidence to achieve their full potential.  

Serving, being a family member, and then leaving the Armed Forces can be challenging, particularly when it comes to finding employment and getting the career you want. SDS services are open to people of all ages and stages, including veterans and service leavers, and their families. 

SDS offer expert support and guidance on:

  • career choices and changes
  • developing career management skills
  • job search, CVs and applications
  • apprenticeships
  • learning and funding
  • coping with redundancy.

You can access these services in person, online and over the phone – to help you and your family transition to civilian life and help you find the career you want.

In person 

SDS careers advisers are professionally qualified experts, and are in every state secondary school in Scotland, as well as delivering guidance services from a network of SDS centres and community venues in every local authority in Scotland.  Find your nearest centre here.   

Online 

Scotland’s career website My World of Work is packed with career information and advice. Option choices at school? Career planning? Supporting someone else’s career choices? My World of Work has it all covered. You can build a personal profile and sign up for helpful updates and reminders. 

There is also a dedicated page for Armed Forces leavers and veterans on My World of Work.  It has information and advice to help you identify your skills and interests to give you an idea of what jobs may be suited to you – and how to get there.

Skills Discovery tool on My World of Work 

An online tool that helps veterans and service personnel understand how the qualifications, skills, and experiences gained during their time in the forces translate to Scottish qualifications. This is designed to support their career journeys beyond military service. Try the tool on My World of Work now. 

Over the phone 

SDS's expert advisers are available on the phone. The free SDS helpline is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 0800 917 8000

Help for parents and carers 

We’ve got lots of resources to help you on My World of Work. Find out about the jobs in greatest demand in Scotland, the routes in, and handling career conversations with your young person at the times that matter most on our dedicated section for parents and carers

Our commitment to the Armed Forces community

Families, veterans and service leavers can speak to our careers advisers at SDS careers centres across the whole of Scotland. We can support you at any point in your career, and our services are free. Careers advisers will support you to consider the skills you have and find career opportunities that are right for you.

The Family Foundation

The Family Foundation is a not for profit registered charity that operates across Wales, we offer a targeted Skills Programmes to support Armed Forces Families.

We offer key skills NVQ courses such as first aid, health & safety in work, customer service etc. We have a conversation with the individual to see what they need help with - CV writing to interview preparation. We offer a free and online service.

Our commitment to the Armed Forces community

As a charity we understand how difficult it can be for forces families to adapt to 'civi' life, we are committed to be there to break down the barriers. We work closely with other charities to make sure we are providing the most suitable help for each individual. Our staff and trustees have a wealth of experience of working with individuals and families in local communities. 

Visit The Family Foundation site to find out more.

 

WeCare Wales

Online & Free

Our online resource 'A Question of Care: a Career for YOU' helps you improve your employability. It features an assessment section where you can watch videos of different roles in care and answer questions about how you would deal with the situations that arise. This gives you a first-hand opportunity to see if the job is right for you. Once complete, you will be given a document that can be shown to employers to help you stand out against other applicants.

Introduction to social care

WeCare Wales is offering free training for people interested in working in social care. The three-day online programme is available for anyone living in Wales. The training will cover the essentials needed to start working in social care such as communication, safeguarding and working practices, find out more here

You can apply for roles in care at WeCare Wales Jobs before, during or after attending the training course, but completing the course will help you to be ‘job ready’. At the end of the training our work coach will assist you to look for available vacancies.

Our commitment to the Armed Forces community

WeCare Wales aims to raise awareness and understanding of social care, early years and childcare and attract more people with the right skills and values to work in caring roles with children and adults.

If you have a positive attitude and a commitment to care for others, then for most roles you can gain any training and qualifications you need on the job. There are lots of ways to work flexibly, so you can fit caring for people around you and your family. 

Visit the WeCare Wales site to find out more. 

 

WithYouWithMe

Being an active military member’s family means you need to have a job that is flexible and works with your lifestyle.

To help create these opportunities WithYouWithMe have created a method called "Discover, Train, Deploy, Grow" that gets people from zero experience and skill to entry level tech roles in as little as 6 weeks (we also have leadership positions for those with the right skills). All 100% for free.

Discover: Our free platform that takes you through a series of questions to understand who you are and then skills match you to courses and careers that are synced to your personality and capacity.

Train: You can train on our platform for free forever, along your journey you will receive reminders of which training you should be completing to land in our list of people ready to be deployed into a job. The training pipelines are; Cyber Security, Data Analytics, Software Development, Digital Project management, Business Analysis, Cloud.

Deploy: There is an employee shortage for the skills we train in. We have multiple tech employment partners who are constantly looking for fresh talent, meaning you will be able to find job opportunities that match your new and old skills on our platform.

Grow: Our "free training forever" means you can continue to upskill forever, this is so you will continue your career progression in a positive trajectory and outrun your potential.

To find out more visit the WithYouWithMe site.

 

Working Wales

Online & Free

Working Wales, delivered by Careers Wales provides a free, bilingual, inclusive, impartial careers guidance and coaching service for anyone aged 16 and over and living in Wales.

Support is tailored to meet individuals needs and can include: - CV and application form support - Job interview preparation - Support with finding a job - Helping you through redundancy - Upskilling and training support - Guidance on sourcing and applying for funding. 

 

Our commitment to the Armed Forces community

Our advisers understand that everyone is unique and that advice and guidance is needed that is specific to the individual. We recognise that military families may find it difficult to navigate the employment space and Working Wales can help them whatever their needs are in order to find them suitable employment and support them through the recruitment process.

Visit the Working Wales site to find out more.