Deployment to Employment: Exploring the Veteran Employment Gap in the UK

Abstract: As UK unemployment rates reach an eleven year low in 2016, it is vital that those who have served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces are not left behind. The majority of working age veterans go on to have diverse
and successful careers after leaving service. However this is not the case for all UK Service leavers. Research undertaken by the Legion shows that working age veterans in the UK are nearly twice as likely to be unemployed as their civilian contemporaries despite an ever growing marketplace of employment support and opportunities. This report sets out to examine the employment rates of veterans in more detail, the barriers veterans may face in the civilian jobs market and the rationale behind closing the employment gap. In early 2016 the Legion conducted a review of published reports and studies on veterans’ employment. In addition, the Legion carried out a series of informal interviews with leading stakeholders in veteran employment from across the charity and private spheres. Whilst specific groups within the ex-Service community, such as the Wounded Injured and Sick (WIS), partners and spouses of Service personnel, and Early Service Leavers, are worthy of employment reports and further dedicated research in themselves, the purpose of this report is to focus on the veteran community as a whole. Those working in this field will be familiar with much of the content of this report; however, we hope that by producing this document we can collate the current literature on veteran employment, and provide the catalyst for discussions where innovation and solutions can be found