Interview Scheme

EMPLOYMENT OF RESERVISTS

The Council is committed to fair and equitable treatment of staff and applicants who are members of the Reserve Forces and recognises the valuable contribution that Reservists make to the UK Armed Forces, their communities and the civilian workplace.

Consequently, applications from people who are Reservists are welcomed. In recognition of the need for ongoing training and development in the role the Council provides a commitment to ensuring that an employee can where possible have dates required for annual camp with the offer of paid time off over and above their normal annual leave entitlement.

WHAT IS THE INTERVIEW PROGRAMME?

The Veterans Interview Programme is an initiative encouraging UK businesses to offer a guaranteed interview to recent, qualified Veterans. It is not a guaranteed jobs programme but it aims to give Veterans a 'foot in the door' as a way to bring them closer to the labour market following their return to civilian life.

The Council has elected to join the Department for Work and Pension’s Voluntary Veteran’s Interview Programme whereby ex-service personnel will be guaranteed an interview providing they are able to demonstrate that they meet the minimum essential requirements for the post. This will only apply to service personnel who are undergoing initial transition from military to civilian life.

(Department for Work and Pensions – Veterans Interview Programme Factsheet)

EMPLOYMENT

SUPPORT

• The Royal British Legion: Provides details of getting into work after leaving the forces including training, job vacancies, interview preparation and a guide to starting your own business.

• Regular Forces Employment Association: Helps men and women of all ranks, leaving the Armed Forces to find and to remain in employment throughout their working lives.

• Enhanced Access to Jobcentre Plus Services: Gives details of initiatives which include enhanced access to support services and revised policies that make it easier for service spouses/civil partners to accrue National Insurance contributions when accompanying a serving person on an overseas posting.

• Career Transition Partnership: Provides successful resettlement services for those leaving the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and Marines. Also act as an intermediary service for employers wishing to hire service leavers.

• The MOD 's Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme: Promotes lifelong learning amongst members of the Armed Forces. Provides financial support for pursuit of higher level learning.

• Troops to Teachers: The programme is about recruiting the very best ex Armed Forces personnel into teaching.

• Blue Orchid for business start-up services: We fund Blue Orchid to deliver business support services on our behalf. They also have the contract to deliver support to ex-forces personnel to start their own business.

• HM Revenue & Customs: Has a lot of support for people who are going self employed. Their short courses are free.

• GOV.UK: Can offer an on-line service to support new business start-up, and help existing businesses expand and improve. The website has many sources of information to assist businesses including links to training and seminars.

• Enterprise Allowance: Jobcentre Plus has developed a new enterprise allowance to help people become self employed. Applicants must be claiming Jobseekers Allowance for a minimum of 13 weeks and not be on the work programme. Ask your personal adviser for more information.

• Armed Forces Dependants Business Start-up-Programme: The University of Wolverhampton has introduced a funded business start up programme for Service Dependants offering support to start and maintain a business. The programme has been designed specifically for Armed Forces families, equipping participants with transferable skills and the ability to start a business regardless of location.

For further details contact HiVE

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