The Labour Party has signed up 22 leading UK employers to a scheme whereby any applicant who is a veteran of the UK Armed Services will be guaranteed an interview.
The participants on the Veterans Interview Programme (VIP) include Crossrail, Greggs, John Lewis, O2, the Scottish Football Association and Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.
The news comes in the wake of the Ministry of Defence’s announcement of the final major tranche of redundancies, announced 12 June. As
recruiter.co.uk found, there are a
range of views on the career prospects of the personnel informed of their redundancies.
The initiative was launched yesterday (4 July) by Labour’s shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy, who says: “It is wrong that someone who has served in Afghanistan is expected to join the back of the queue at the local job centre. This is not about special treatment but overcoming barriers to provide a level playing field for service people.
“The talents of those leaving the Services are a big asset to business, but we must raise awareness of their skills and increase access to employment.
Guaranteed interviews for certain groups of candidates is an often-considered, and at times controversial.
A statement on Tottenham’s website says: “We recognise that ex-Service personnel can bring significant skills and qualities to the workforce, which have been developed during their time in the armed forces including their ability to be well organised, interact with others, and thrive under pressure.
“The Club has already successfully employed a veteran in a key role within the organisation and regularly employs ex-military agency personnel for events such as tours and away trips.”
