Employment - Career Advice for Veterans

We provide advice to help you make the most of your career

Whether there’s a need for careers advice, to retrain, to set up a business or to find a job, RBL offers practical support and help accessing specialist services.

In this section

A couple who have received support from the Royal British Legion sitting on a sofa

Info and advice

Finding a job as a veteran or service leaver

Read guidance on finding a job after your time in the Armed Forces, including how to find job advertisements, sending your application and preparing for interviews.

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Info and advice

Employment guides for families

Finding civilian employment as a partner, spouse, or child of a service person can present its own challenges. Our guidance will help you to explore available opportunities.

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Info and advice

Returning to work after a gap in your employment

Get support with your return to work, regardless of the reason for your gap in employment. Our guidance includes specialist information for the Armed Forces community.

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Info and advice

Transition and resettlement support for the Armed Forces community

Learn about resettlement and transitioning out of the Armed Forces, including support available to you whether you are currently serving, ex-service or a family member.

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Info and advice

Joining the Armed Forces and your finance

Find guidance on how to manage the money you earn while serving in the Armed Forces, and how the Royal British Legion money advice service might be able to help you.

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Info and advice

Starting your own business

If you are considering starting your own business or becoming self-employed, read our guidance to learn where to start and what you will need to do.

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Info and advice

Start up loans scheme

Find out what a Start-Up-Loan is, how one could help you to start or grow your business, and how to start an application.

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Info and advice

Education and training support for the Armed Forces Community

Learn about training and further education support offered by the MOD to those who are currently serving, ex-service personnel and adult dependents.

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The Poppy Factory

The Poppy Factory is the country's leading employment charity for wounded, injured and sick veterans with health conditions or impairments.

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Poppyscotland

Poppyscotland is a charity providing life-changing support to the Armed Forces community in Scotland.

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The Forces Employment Charity

The Forces Employment Charity helps service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families, find roles that fit their unique skillsets.

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Walking With The Wounded

Walking With The Wounded supports veterans with physical, mental, or social injuries on their journey to reintegrate back into society.

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Officers' Association

The Officers' Association is the only Tri-Service organisation that looks after officers.

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Mission Motorsport

Mission Motorsport provides opportunities in motorsport and is the official provider of disabled and adaptive sport.

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Officers' Association Scotland

Officers' Association Scotland is a charity providing life-changing support to former officers and their families living in Scotland.

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My idea of hell was commuting day in, day out, wearing a suit. Tim Mackereth
Gained funding to start a business
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FAQs

If you would like to find out more about career support for veterans, serving personnel and families take a look at our FAQs below.

Ways RBL support ex-serving into employment

What career support is available for veterans?

Finding a job after leaving the Armed Forces can be a challenge. RBL can help support you and your family, during and after your time in the Armed Forces.

Here are five ways we can help ex-military find jobs:

1. Career advice

We work with a range of partners who can help serving and ex-serving personnel and their families prepare for employment as they transition into civilian life. Our partner the Forces Employment Charity - can give you advice on how to put your skills to good use, and help you find and fund the education and training you need to succeed.

2. Support with training

If you need help paying for training or equipment for a new job, you can apply for a training, travel, accommodation and equipment grant from RBL. Grants of up to £1,000 are available and can also be used to cover childcare and medical costs linked to difficulties around attending training.

3. Help getting professional licences

If you need a professional licence for a job, you can apply for a licences grant. You can use this grant to fund the provision of a professional licence that is needed for your work, such as a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence.

4. Developing employment skills

Our partner Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) help veterans find work or a new career through their employment support programme – LifeWorks. LifeWorks courses are free to veterans across the UK and help people identify strengths as well as potential career or training opportunities.

5. Benefits advice

Our financial support team can help to check if you are getting the benefits you are entitled to, including benefits for Armed Forces, veterans and their families. If you are currently on a low income, out of work or you cannot work you may be able to claim Universal Credit.