The profile of our Armed Forces has never been higher than it is now. However, many businesses aren’t aware of how these personnel have made major contributions to current employers with skills, qualifications and professional experience gained whilst in Service.

The important thing to remember with such campaigns is not to make employers feel obligated or pressured into employing ex-military personnel; it should always be about the best person for the job. It is about ex-service personnel being given the same opportunity on the basis that employers understand the skills, qualifications and experiences that these high calibre personnel have.

Employers often find it difficult to relate military experiences and qualifications to civilian equivalents. Equally, one of the main challenges that we as an ex-military recruitment specialist face is overcoming the stereotypes and misconceptions that surround ex-military personnel.

As long-time practitioners in helping Service Leavers move into civilian jobs, we see two of our key responsibilities as:

• Raising Awareness - There are in excess of 400 trades in the Forces covering everything from engineering to catering and security to driving with a vast array of disciplines within each trade.
• Recognising Skills - With around 22,000 Armed Forces personnel leaving the services annualy, employers must start to recognise the typical attributes of many service leavers, such as highly-trained; loyalty, resulting in great staff retention; self-discipline; excellence at integrating into and working as part of a team; strong communication skills.

Adam Bonner, regional director Forces Recruitment Services