What are the benefits of employing ex-military?

We understand employers can find it difficult to find the perfect candidate and some industries are struggling to ‘fill’ a significant skills gap.  One solution for employers to consider is recruiting ex-military personnel who have a breadth of aptitude, skills and training which are transferable and could add real value to their business.

The Armed Forces; Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force train personnel to the highest standards with one of the UK’s largest and most prestigious organisations, The Ministry of Defence (MOD).  Furthermore, engineers and technicians from the Armed Forces work with some of the world’s most advanced defence systems, with specialisms in aeronautical, avionics, electrical, mechanical, nuclear, communications and marine engineering, to name a few.  The cross-functional skills and recognised qualifications gained by ex-military personnel during their time of active service are transferable to many sectors including automotive, aviation, construction, chemical-process, engineering and telecommunications and IT.

Demob Job is a long-established engineering and technical recruitment specialist for ex-military personnel –bridging the gap between companies and personnel leaving the military.  Demob Job utilises extensive military insight coupled with expertise in engineering and technical roles to identify the right candidates to save clients time and ensure a bespoke and efficient recruitment process.

Our team of recruitment specialists have provided the below reasons why employers should consider hiring ex-military personnel:

Professionally Trained

Ex-military personnel are highly skilled and qualified candidates with the experience needed to fulfil the specifications required of many technical civilian job roles, including those that are considered a skills shortage.

Recent research has suggested that the skills possessed by ex-forces candidates are a close match for skill shortages that employers face today. For example, data from The Royal British Legion showed evidence of an overlap between the areas of highest skill shortages and roles within the Armed Forces.

Cross-functional Skills

Ex-military candidates are often recognised for their wide skill set. Bitc.org noted that organisations that employ ex-forces candidates report that they exhibit much needed cross-functional skills, notably team-working, motivating others, communication, problem-solving, organisational skills and strategic thinking. By hiring ex-military candidates, businesses can be reassured they not only have a highly qualified member of staff but an experienced employee who can take initiative in the workplace.

Access to funding for training

Many ex-military candidates have access to funding for training courses, in order to prepare themselves for civilian life. With access to grants and funding through the MOD’s Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELC) ex-forces candidates can obtain the necessary supporting qualifications needed to support their application for a job role.

Qualifications included in the scheme include a full Level three (GCE A level or vocational equivalent) and a first higher education qualification (a foundation degree or a first undergraduate degree or equivalent), both of which are free from tuition fees. For prospective employers, this is beneficial in terms of increasing progression opportunities for ex-military members of staff that are keen to develop within a company. If some roles are restricted by qualifications, an ELC funded course like the above could save the business money.

Invaluable Work Ethic

Ex-forces candidates have a strong work ethic, bringing the values and ethics taught from their military training to the commercial workplace. As well as a strong work ethic and a focused attitude, employers have noted that ex-military workers are dedicated as well as fully engaged with their job roles.

In a survey of 50 employers carried out by Deloitte, 76% of employers said that ex-forces employees tend to have lower rates of sickness absence when compared to their non-ex-forces workforce and are likely to be promoted more quickly. 40% also said veterans stay for longer. With high levels of staff retention and lower rates of absence, commercial businesses can be confident when hiring ex-military candidates that their staff are loyal and resilient, as well as consistently reliable.

Adaptable

Ex-military candidates are renowned for working under pressure and reacting calmly to changes whilst focusing on the task at hand. Although civilian sectors present a different type of pressurised environment, employing ex-military candidates with a record of decisive thinking can be highly beneficial to a business. Not only are ex-military candidates able to problem solve, often working with limited resources, but they are also equipped to work in varied environments, and are most often willing to work away from home. This ability to adapt is ingrained in ex-military candidates from their military training and can be transferable to many technical civilian roles like an offshore engineer.

Prepared and Available

According to BTIC.org, around 21,000 men and women have left the Armed Forces in each of the last five years, contributing to an ever-increasing pool of an estimated 900,000 working-age veterans. With ex-military candidates readily available nationwide, the Demob Job has access to an extensive talent pool of highly-skilled and disciplined candidates, currently untapped by other recruitment organisations.

To find out how Demob Job can help you source highly skilled and disciplined candidates for your latest roles:

Call 0333 3445577

or send us your vacancy – click here

 

Sources used:

https://www.bitc.org.uk/sites/default/files/capitalising_on_military_talent_final_interactive_pdf.pdf

Many employers report increased loyalty and engagement amongst their ex-military employees. In a survey of 50 employers carried out by Deloitte, 76% of employers said that veterans tend to have lower rates of sickness absence when compared to their non-veteran workforce and are likely to be promoted more quickly. 40% also said veterans stay for longer.

Recent research strongly suggests the skills which many veterans possess are a close match for skill shortages that employers face today.

Data from The Royal British Legion showed evidence of an overlap between the areas of highest skill shortages and roles within the Armed Forces, including chefs (16% of all Skilled Trades skill-shortage vacancies) Metal Working Production and Electricians (13%).

Survey data from Deloitte highlights that veterans are well-placed to meet critical gaps in cross-functional skills, which include strategic management, managing or motivating staff, team-working and positive attitude.