A groundbreaking partnership between the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Work and Pensions is set to transform military recruitment in the UK, creating opportunities for tens of thousands of young people.
Under new plans, jobseekers will receive direct advice from military personnel at their local jobcentre, marking a significant shift in how Armed Forces careers are promoted. This initiative aims to boost training and career pathways, bringing vital skills into the defence sector at a time of rising global threats.
Key Features of the Partnership
- Jobcentre Plus will now connect directly to military training and careers, with staff providing guidance on roles ranging from engineering and cyber to healthcare and logistics.
- Armed Forces Career Offices will partner with JobCentres and local Armed Forces Champions, offering targeted support for care leavers and underrepresented groups through DWP’s Youth Hubs.
- A new pilot in the West Midlands will trial specialist recruitment support as part of the Government’s Youth Guarantee, addressing areas with high youth unemployment.
Benefits for Young People and Jobseekers
Young people will benefit from mentoring by serving personnel from diverse backgrounds, gaining insights into Service life through virtual and face-to-face events. For example, Royal Navy Mentoring Circles will connect them with inspiring role models to build confidence and employability.
Work coaches will receive improved training, including visits to Army and RAF sites, to better identify individuals suited for military careers and signpost them to opportunities.
Apprenticeships and Alternative Entry Routes
Announced during National Apprenticeships Week, this partnership highlights the Armed Forces as the largest apprenticeship provider in the country. Jobseekers can explore over 100 apprenticeship programmes from GCSE to Masters level, with training in transferable skills like aviation engineering and medical services.
Alternative entry routes include a fast-track Cyber Direct Entry scheme with starting salaries over £40,000 and a Foundation Scheme offering a paid “gap year” in uniform.
Government Support and Wider Initiatives
The government is reinforcing this with the largest pay rise for military personnel in decades, scrapping 100 outdated recruitment policies, and introducing the first-ever Armed Forces Commissioner. This aligns with an £820 million investment in the Youth Guarantee to support almost one million young people through new training, workplaces, and youth hubs.
Quotes from Officials
Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sandher-Jones MP, said: "I know first-hand what a career in the Armed Forces can do for young people. It gave me skills, purpose and opportunities I might never have found otherwise. This partnership is about making sure more people get that same chance – especially those who’ve never had defence on their radar."
Minister for Skills, Baroness Jacqui Smith, added: "Apprenticeships are one of the best ways for young people to take the first step in their career, gaining qualifications and real-world experience that set them up for life. The Armed Forces offers apprenticeships across an extraordinary range of careers."
Additional Notes
- The partnership enables Defence to respond quickly to civilian sector redundancies through DWP’s Rapid Response Service.
- A major investigation led by Alan Milburn will investigate barriers preventing young people from accessing work.
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