Ensuring successful employment transitions for veteran Senior Non-Commissioned Officers - summary documents

Abstract: Evidence shows that veteran Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) often find it harder to make a successful transition into civilian employment than other veterans and face a number of challenges during their transition journey. This is despite SNCOs having a wealth of transferable skills which should be highly valued by many employers. This study was commissioned to identify the key barriers and challenges to SNCOs making a successful employment transition and to provide recommendations on how they can be best supported. Findings showed that although almost 80% of SNCO veterans were currently working (either employed or self-employed, full-time or part-time), many were not in the jobs they expected or wanted. More RAF veteran SNCOs were in employment than those in the other Services, while unemployment levels were highest for Navy veteran SNCOs. Those with higher educational qualifications were more likely to be in work than those with lower or no qualifications (full-time employment also declined in line with lower qualifications). A total of 14% of all SNCOs (22% of Navy SNCOs) had planned to undertake further training upon leaving, but less than 1% were currently in full-time training or study.