Thousands of veterans and their family members across the UK will
have access to enhanced career support thanks to government plans
to expand Op ASCEND. The free service has so far equipped 3,000
veterans and family members with the tools to make their next
career move.
When jobseekers sign up to Op ASCEND for employment advice,
specialist-trained advisors can support with:
- CV writing and interview preparation;
- advice on entering new sectors such as energy, data and
digital, telecommunications and construction;
- tips on how to navigate recruitment schemes run by
veteran-friendly employers;
- access to employment fairs; and
- advice on retraining or setting up a business.
The changes underline the government's commitment to renewing the
contract with those who serve and have served, and will help
boost economic growth by helping more veterans into employment.
The Government is committed to improving services and maximising
the impact of every penny spent under its Plan for Change, which
the improvements will help deliver on.
Speaking today at an audience of industry leaders and veterans at
Mission Community's annual National Transition Event in
Silverstone, Veterans Minister announced plans to expand
the support available under Op ASCEND, which is run by the Forces
Employment Charity (FEC). The service will align more
closely with the MOD's official resettlement programme – the
Career Transition Partnership (CTP).
Minister for Veterans and People, DSO OBE MC MP
said:
“This government is committed to renewing the nation's contract
with those who serve and have served.
“Op ASCEND is a natural extension to the government's
resettlement scheme, enabling veterans and their families to
further maximise their potential and take their careers to the
next level.
“This is about delivering a clear, easily accessible offering for
veterans. From the time they join, to the time they leave service
and beyond, veterans will be
empowered to succeed, whether that be in protection of our
nation, or through meaningful careers which maintain and develop
their skills.”
For those just leaving the forces, there is a range of transition
and resettlement support available through the CTP. For those who
left service more than two years ago and are looking for a new
job or to progress within their career, Op ASCEND is available to
them. This could include provision for those veterans looking to
set up their own business or hone their enterprise and
entrepreneurial skills.
Sam, a British Army veteran who recently secured a role as a
physical oil trading contracts analyst in the energy industry
thanks to Op ASCEND, said:
“I found Op ASCEND online, and was assigned a mentor to help me
navigate the process. There's the intangible side of the service
- knowing there's people around that care, are interested and
want to see you succeed. Knowing you can connect with an advisor,
write to them or call them up if you're having problems and get
some advice. Then there's the tangible impact of the employment
events – they're actionable, you can go ahead and do something
with it.”
As well as offering career advice to the armed forces community,
Op ASCEND has worked with over 300 businesses to date, helping
them understand the commercial benefits of hiring veterans. The
service encourages employers to:
- review their work in recruiting, progressing and retaining
talent from the armed forces and their families;
- run employment events to connect job-seeking members of the
military community with job opportunities; and
- expand or create new military pathways to help veterans with
their transition and keep them connected to those with similar
backgrounds.
Ian Fortune, Head of Pathways, Centrica, said:
“Working with the Forces Employment Charity through the delivery
of Op ASCEND has enabled high-calibre service leavers and the
wider military family to bring their significant talent and
skillsets into our organisation with confidence. With
fantastic Pathways events such as Women Into Employment, we have
been bringing diversity of thought, background and experience
into our company and with it, fresh perspectives and thinking
that is helping to energise a greener, fairer, future.”
Op ASCEND is being run alongside a veteran industry engagement
programme, both backed by £2.1 million of government funding. Run
by service charity Mission Community, the programme works with
industry bodies - such as the Society of Motor Manufacturing and
Traders - to drive practical, cultural and behavioural change
within their sectors. Through this partnership with business, the
government will help ensure that the value veterans bring to UK
businesses is fully recognised, and that industries make the most
of the talents they have to offer.
