CAREER PURSUIT 2021

RESOURCES 78 VETERANS' EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION SUPPORT (VETS) PROGRAMME upporting military spouses, is not new for VETS. Having worked with spouses on both anindividual basis andthrough various programmes, the team were keen to make this an official route. The VETS programme manager, Lisa Marr, explains: “I arrived to run the VETS programme in 2019 and identified that we were providing support to the military spouse community but in a very ad hoc way and on an individual basis. I was keen to get this formalised and opened up to all military spouses, especially the mentoring side of VETS, which is really key to aiding our military community to transition successfully. The transition from military to civilian life, and translating your experience, isn’t always easy, which is why the VETS team and our mentors are available to support throughout the process. This process is sometimes more difficult for the military spouse or partner, as they have often given up their own careers to follow the flag. As a result, they often have long career breaks or, even if they have continued to work, have often taken roles to suit their situation rather than their skillset and experience.” TheVETSprogramme ensures support is available on everything from translating skills, advising how to explain gaps or career breaks in a CV, and interview preparation to general advice and guidance on careers. What makes VETS unique, however, is the mentoring platform, which is available to anyone who signs up for the programme. These mentors are provided by all the businesses who sign up to work with VETS. They come from across all sectors, all parts of the country, and are all from Armed Forces-friendly organisations. These mentors voluntarily sign up to assist those transitioning and have been extremely enthusiastic to see the programme opened up to spouses and partners. With over 170 companies signed up as VETS partners, there is bound to be something for everyone. The Veterans' Employment Transition Support (VETS) programme exists to support members of the military community realise their potential and find the right job. Up until March 2021, VETS had only been available to support service leavers and veterans, but the programme has now been opened up to military spouses. S