This report will be a comprehensive piece of research examining longer-term employment outcomes for ex-Service personnel. It aims to better understand how a person’s time in service and the support received during their transition to civilian life impacts their longer-term employment outcomes.

This research will be carried out in conjunction with the University of Warwick’s Institute for Employment Research. It is expected to take eighteen months, and is due for publication by Autumn 2021.

Ray Lock, Chief Executive at FiMT says:

“Securing meaningful long-term employment is often regarded as a measurement of how successful an ex-Service person’s transition to civilian life has been.  Although the majority of ex-Service personnel are able to find employment, little consideration has been given to the longevity or quality of these roles.

This report will establish what the longer-term employment prospects for ex-Service personnel are, and how a person’s time in service (including education, training and experience) and the support received during their transition impacts longer-term employment outcomes.

Working towards all ex-Service personnel having a successful and sustainable transition to civilian life is at the heart of Forces in Mind Trust’s mission.  This is often partially conditional on securing appropriate employment, so we are very proud to announce a new report which promotes a better understanding of this important issue.”

Alistair Halliday, Chief Executive of RFEA – The Forces Employment Charity, says:

“At RFEA we are dedicated to supporting veterans through every stage of their employment journey and, therefore, understand the specific challenges that are unique to ex-forces personnel seeking roles outside the Military.

Whilst most veterans transition easily into civilian jobs, we know that some later can struggle to find meaningful roles that enable them to thrive.

We want every ex-serviceman and woman to benefit from employment which not only provides financial security, but also makes use of their skills and experience and can boost their feelings of self-worth and contribution to wider society.

However, to help us in achieving this goal, we need to understand how many are falling short of this level of meaningful and sustainable long-term employment, and why, so that we can plug those gaps. We are proud to be able to support this research by making sure veterans’ voices are heard and listened to, so that positive changes can be made.”

Professor Clare Lyonette at the University of Warwick’s Institute for Employment Research says:

“Although we have done previous research on the employment outcomes of particular groups of veterans or on particular types of employment, this project is examining employment outcomes more broadly and over a longer period of time. We hope that the research findings will have real impact on the policy environment, allowing ex-Service personnel to translate the skills and experience they have gained during their time in the Armed Forces into long-lasting, meaningful and satisfying work”.

Natalie Fisher, Senior Occupational Psychologist at QinetiQ says:

“I am excited to be leading this important piece of research, working alongside colleagues at Warwick Institute for Employment Research and RFEA – The Forces Employment Charity.

For those leaving the UK Armed Forces, employment is seen a key indicator of a successful and sustainable transition. However, whilst previous research shows that the majority of ex-Service personnel gain employment after leaving, less consideration has been given towards the longevity of the employment achieved, or whether veterans are employed in the ‘right’ jobs (i.e. fulfilling and sustainable, maximising their potential).

The proposed study aims to address this gap in research by exploring the longer-term employment outcomes for ex-Service personnel and how their time in the Service impacts these outcomes. We are also looking to identify the barriers and facilitators to successful and sustainable employment as well as gain a clear understanding of how ‘successful employment’ is defined.”

ENDS