A brighter future for Early Service Leavers
17 February 2012
The Royal British Legion has provided start-up funding for a transition programme to help Early Service Leavers (ESLs) find and remain in employment.
The Future Horizons programme, which is being run by a
consortium of ex-Service charities and welfare to work
organisations, supports Service men and women who have been
discharged from the Army, either compulsorily or at their own
request, before completing four years of service.
According to research, ESLs often find themselves at a disadvantage
in the labour market as they are often unprepared for the daily
demands of civilian life. For many, this can take them down a path
of unemployment, homelessness or crime. They may also experience
mental health difficulties or develop a dependence on alcohol or
drugs.
Future Horizons will help ESLs overcome these obstacles by
providing access to the required training, personal development and
educational courses to help them move towards being 'job ready'
once discharged from the Services.
Future running costs of the programme will be funded by the Forces
in Mind Trust.
Darren Bickerstaffe, Future Horizons Programme Manager, said: "The
programme is proving very popular, with around 95 per cent of ESLs
signing up for the programme so far."
For more information, see www.futurehorizons.org
