As an employer
The Armed Forces Network is hosted by NHS East Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). NHS Eastbourne Hailsham and Seaford and NHS Hastings and Rother CCGs were the first CCGs nationally to be recognised under the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) for the Gold Award.
There are different levels within the scheme with Gold being the highest, which demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community as a whole.
The Network has also produced a “how to guide” to help other NHS organisations in applying for their ESR Award and in the delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant as both an employer and a service provider.
The Armed Forces train their personnel to an extremely high standard. As a result, they are an asset to an organisation, whether they are ex-service, a reservist or an adult cadet.
Service personnel are trained from the moment they join the Armed Forces. There are hundreds of different roles available across all three services, and with the standard for delivery being so high, many service personnel receive advanced training for technical roles (eg communications, logistics, or engineering). The skills that are learnt whilst serving are transferable into civilian life.
SERFCA gives support to the Reserve Forces and Cadets from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force in Sussex. The majority of the Association comprises of volunteers, presided over by the Lord-Lieutenant for each area, ranging from high-ranking serving and retired military Officers, through local Councillors to enthusiastic locals, with no military experience, but with a will to support the Armed Forces and Cadets; so it can be seen that the Association has close links with the Community because it is part of that Community.
The Step Into Health Programme was created because the NHS recognises the transferable skills and cultural values that Armed Forces personnel develop when serving, and how they are compatible with those required within NHS roles.
As the NHS is the largest employer in Europe. There are over 350 different careers in the NHS and there is a role for everyone with the right skills and values, almost half of which are non-clinical.
Step into Health is open to all Service Leavers and Veterans and their spouse/partner. It is an incredible opportunity in which employers are working with the Armed Forces Community to provide career and development opportunities within the NHS.
The CTP provides the connection for hundreds of employers seeking to employ Service leavers, across a wide and varied range of sectors.
The VETS is a social enterprise that brings together charities, businesses and the MOD to improve employment outcomes for veterans, employers and the UK economy.
The RFEA provides employability and employment support to working age veterans in the UK. Current estimates are that one million working age veterans live in the UK and it is known that unemployment rates for working age veterans are higher than for civilians.
RFEA support veterans through life including those who have served for a short time and are in the 18-24 year old age range, through to older veterans. The over 50’s are increasingly recognised as facing greater challenges in finding employment.
RFEA’s work includes early intervention, supporting veterans to find a new job, often when they have not succeeded in finding jobs through general civilian support. Helping to prevent working age veterans from becoming long-term unemployed so that they can sustain an income and provide a stable life for themselves and their families.
LifeWorks is a programme offering intensive, tailored employability and resettlement support to ex-service personnel and their spouses/partners. It supports those who are struggling on Civvy Street to move into sustainable employment, education and training.