On this page you will find information about:
- Education and training.
- Applying for jobs.
- What support is available to you.
As the spouse, partner or a family member of someone who is or has served in HM Armed Forces it can be hard to find and keep a job. The programmes below are here to support the Armed Forces community with employment.
Read guidance on finding support as a military partner, here on the RBL website.
Returning to work after a career break
You may have a gap in your employment which you are worried about now you are thinking of returning to work. Employment gaps are not uncommon and there is support and guidance to help you find a job.
Support is available to you
Op ASCEND – employment support for veterans and their families
Op Ascend is an Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) programme which is delivered by the Forces Employment Charity.
The programme provides veterans and their families with opportunities to gain meaningful employment. This includes support with CV writing, interview preparation, employment fairs and advice on setting up a business.
HIVE services to support the Armed Forces community
HIVEs are information services provided by the Army, Royal Navy and RAF to support the serving community including reservists and family members.
HIVEs can provide guidance and support to the community on a variety of topics including:
- health and wellbeing
- relocation
- deployment
- employment
- education
- training and more.
You can enquire about support by visiting your local HIVE or by contacting them online.
Finding employment if you are living with a disability or medical condition
We understand that searching for a job when you are living with a disability or medical condition can be extremely challenging. To help you with the process, we have created a guide listing what support is available to you.
Additionally, our advisors are here to help you find out what employment support you may be entitled to. You can get in contact with our team through our website, email, or by calling us.
The Families programme - England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
The Forces Employment Charity, delivers support to the families of currently serving and ex-service personnel through their Families programme. This includes separated, divorced, and widowed partners.
The programmes are delivered by experienced Advisors, many of whom are military spouses themselves. The support available includes:
- Advice on career choices
- researching the job market
- advice on training
- recommendations for courses and education
- support for writing a CV
- advice on interview techniques
- expert industry knowledge and updates, and
- events and employment fairs.
Learn more about the Families Programme on the Forces Employment Charity Website.
Forces Families Jobs (FFJ)
Forces Families Jobs provides training, employment and volunteer roles to the family members of currently serving UK military personnel.
The FFJ hosts a variety of programmes to support family members in finding meaningful employment, including:
- an online job search tool
- networking and employment events
- an employer directory
- training and career support.
The FFJ is a product of the Army Families Federation (AFF) charity.
Officers' Association Scotland
The Officers' Association Scotland (OAS) provides lifelong employment support for spouses of officers in Scotland. Through the OAS, you may be able to access support such as:
- Professional employment consultants
- individualised employment support plans
- CV/interview skill training and preparation
- specialised training, webinars and workshops
- networking and employment events
- an executive jobs board, and
- access to processional development.
Learn more about how the Officers Association Scotland may be able to help you on their website.
The Poppy Factory - England and Wales
The Poppy Factory has an employment programme to help adult family members who support or care for people in the Armed Forces community with health conditions.
Learn more about the Families Employment Service that is run by The Poppy Factory on their website.
X-Forces - England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
The X-Forces charity supports entrepreneurs in the Armed Forces community. Through its training, funding, mentoring and networking schemes, the charity is here to support service leavers, ex-service personnel, reservists, spouses, family members and cadets to pursue their business goals.
Recruit For Spouses
Recruit For Spouses (RFS) was created by military spouses to support the partners of those who are currently serving, ex-service personnel, veterans and widows on their employment journey. The charity has one simple mission: to support military spouses and the Armed Forces Community in to work, wherever you are in the world.
Through its Career Academy and recruitment services, the charity offers a range of support, including:
- an online Jobs board
- online talent pool
- up-skilling and training
- coaching and mentoring opportunities
- workshops and masterclasses
- support preparing for interviews
- CV writing courses, and
- employment events.
Learn more about the support offered on the Recruit For Spouses website.
Military Coworking Network
The Military Coworking Network (MCN) is here to support and enable Armed Forces spouses and partners to have independent professional lives.
The charity hosts an online community and local Coworking hubs which support partners with their education, employment, and development.
Joining the online community is free and membership to local hubs is £30 a year.
Find your local hub on the MCN website.
Find out more about online membership on the Military Coworking Network website.
Education and training
The lifestyle of currently serving and ex-service families means that it can be hard for you to build a career. We understand the difficulties that you may face and have a range of support available to support you.
Employment grants
An employment grant could support you to start or continue your career.
Find out more about the employment grants available on the RBL Knowledge Base website.
Support with purchasing educational materials and/or accommodation costs
Through our Royal British Legion (RBL) Women's Section, we have grants available which could support you and your family when paying for educational materials or paying for educational-related accommodation.
These are:
- The Children's Welfare Scheme, and
- The President's Award Scheme.
Learn more about RBL Woman's Section education grants here on the RBL website.
Read more about the Royal British Legion's Women's Section on the Knowledge Base.
To find out more about the support the RBL could offer you, contact us via
Telephone: 0808 802 8080
Telephone overseas: +44 (0)20 3376 8080
Calls are free
from UK landlines and main mobile networks
Email: [email protected]
Applying for jobs
Job hunting can be a difficult process for anyone, but there is support available to help you find the right role for you.
Self Employment
If you are thinking of starting your own business, there are a lot of things to consider. We have created some helpful guides to support your career.
Learn more about how to set up your own business and become self-employed here on the RBL website.
