Supporting veterans back to work
Facing difficult situations is a part of everyday life for military personnel serving on the front line. But life on the home front and preparing to leave the Armed Forces altogether presents its own set of challenges.
Working out what to do next is a question every enlisted person will face one day. The same issues are faced on a regular basis by the spouses and partners who support them.
Social Security Scotland is proud to support people who served in the military and are looking for the next step on their career path.
With the national rollout of our 15th benefit – Pension Age Disability Payment – we identified an opportunity to offer roles suitable for military veterans and their spouses.
Developed in collaboration with the Scottish Government’s Going Forward into Employment team, Social Security Scotland has provided a structured and supportive route into work. It’s a vitally important lifeline as Dave, who works in learning design with Social Security Scotland, knows all too well.
A veteran with 30 years’ Army service, he made a career change from a senior military role to a relatively junior role working in Human Resources with the Scottish Government in 2020.
He said: “With the Army you always know retirement is coming. You traditionally serve 24 years and that’s the end of your contract. For most people that’s aged around 40 or 42. I was older and stayed on longer because of the work I was involved in, but in the military you have to resign with a year’s notice, so you have to give up your job before you have another job. That’s pretty scary for a lot of people. I was very lucky in that I was offered an opportunity within the Scottish Government before I left, so the fear was significantly reduced as I had a job to go to. Getting a job in the first place is a big concern for many veterans.”
The veteran initiative helps to fulfil our goal of building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the Scottish population. It also supports people who may face barriers to entering the Civil Service through traditional methods and offers meaningful employment to veterans who have valuable transferable skills and experience.
One of those working with us is Kate whose husband is a submariner, based at Faslane. Originally from Portsmouth, Kate has combined looking after their children with working in a variety of jobs as she has moved around the country depending on her husband’s postings.
She said: “Joining Social Security Scotland was a great opportunity for me. Before I had my children I worked in the NHS, I was a physiotherapy assistant, I was a support worker for a mental health charity then when I had my children went into education as the flexibility supported my husband’s career.
“It was fine but it was very much a job to fit in in with family life but there were no prospects. My kids are 15 and 17 now, they are more independent. When this job came up, I just thought, go for it. I think I stayed in my previous job for so long because I didn’t have the confidence to apply elsewhere. It is hard to put yourself out there and possibly face rejection. Through the scheme it was a very straightforward application based on my experience.”
Kate, who sings in a military wives choir, leaned on her experience living within a military environment in her new role as a booking adviser.
With her husband sometimes deployed for as long as six months at a time with limited contact, she knows how to rely on herself and the community around her.
She said: “People talk about transferrable skills like resilience and adaptability which we do have because you have no choice. If your husband is due to come home and his deployment gets extended for another month there’s nothing you can do but get on with it. It doesn’t mean you don’t feel it but you just can’t stop.
“You’ve got to just try and take that attitude into everything you do. But for anybody starting a new job, you get imposter syndrome - wondering am I doing the right thing? I’m a woman of a certain age trying to learn something new which has been a challenge at times.
“But I have had great trainers. They’ve drip fed it so each week I’ve been learning a little bit more. What I love about this job is I’m calling people every day, building a rapport with them. It’s so nice to come into Civil Service and Social Security Scotland and bring the skills that I have from other jobs into this.”
Hamish joined Social Security Scotland at the same time as Kate. He trained with the Royal Engineers, before a family illness saw him have to leave the service.
However, what he gained from the Army he has managed to feed into his role as a booking adviser with Social Security Scotland.
He said: “My army experience was unfortunately cut short but it was important. It really improved my social skills, I had to work with people from all different backgrounds. You’re with 11 other guys, you’re doing drill, rifle training, outdoor training and you have to get comfortable within that situation.
“That really transfers well and has definitely helped with my role, speaking to clients from all sorts of backgrounds.”
Going forward, we remain committed to working closely with key stakeholders to identify opportunities where, in line with our workforce strategy, we can support underrepresented groups.
For Dave, it’s an important gateway that he hopes will remain open.
He said: “The transition from military to civilian life is not easy for many, particularly those who served a full career. But I like to think we have so much to offer employers and would encourage any hiring manager to consider the Going Forward into Employment scheme within their recruitment campaigns.
“There are enough challenges for veterans, being gainfully employed shouldn’t be one of them. I consider myself to be extremely fortunate - I love my current job and am surrounded by really great people - I know how lucky I am.”