Strengths and Benefits of Military Service
The narrative around employing veterans is moving from a moral obligation to recognising veterans as an important national skills resource. Feedback from employers and other stakeholders has provided an insight into the opportunities and challenges in recruiting and retaining veterans. There has been definite and positive progress in the number of employers who recognise that veterans and their families make a valuable contribution to Scotland’s economy and – as employees – can bring a breadth of skills, experience, and knowledge to an organisation.
In Scotland, a number of umbrella business membership organisations represent businesses collectively across sectors. They act as a voice for the business community – influencing policy, supporting members, and convening networks. These organisations include the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Confederation of British Industry Scotland and they function as intermediaries between business and government, combining advocacy, support, and convening power to improve economic conditions and help businesses succeed.
These types of structures could provide a way for considerations around veteran employment to be mainstreamed, ensuring the significant skills, qualifications and attributes that these individuals offer can be actively recruited and retained in support of economic growth. Attracting and retaining veterans could form part of capacity and capability planning, particularly in key sectors such as renewable energy, financial services and engineering. Currently, these opportunities are not being realised.
There is also scope for the UK and Scottish Government to work together to develop and communicate in this area more effectively. There is – for example – limited awareness in Scotland of the National Insurance ‘holiday’ that is available across the UK. This is a scheme that allows employers to pay zero-rate secondary Class 1 National Insurance contributions on a qualifying veteran’s earnings for their first 12 consecutive months of civilian employment. This initiative would be particularly attractive to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), however it seems to be less well known by SMEs than by large organisations.
Excellence in business and employment is recognised and celebrated in Scotland, for example through categories at the Scottish Veterans Awards and at the Scottish Forces in Business Awards. These kinds of events not only celebrate success, but also reinforce confidence within the Armed Forces community. They can raise awareness among employers of the value veterans bring and encourage organisations to consider how their recruitment processes and development opportunities can be made more accessible for those transitioning from military service. The stories showcased are examples of success, but they are also sources of inspiration, demonstrating the talent, skill and determination that veterans bring to the business community every day.
Reserve Forces and Cadets Association
Members of the Reserve Forces provide employers with a unique opportunity to benefit from their unique skills and behaviours. Both Lowland and Highland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA) have reported an increased enthusiasm from employers to create remuneration and benefits packages which support reservists to fulfil their service requirements both in training and deployment. Employers receive support from MOD for these packages and enhanced support is provided for SMEs, where having a staff member absent has a greater impact. Reservists can, of course, also be veterans, bringing a wealth of experience and skills which are highly valued by both employers and colleagues.
Defence Relationship Managers (DRMs) work in each RFCA to encourage businesses to join the Employer Recognition Scheme and support award assessments. Highland RFCA offers an interactive map which allows veterans to source veteran-friendly employers. It has also worked with umbrella organisations such as Offshore Energy UK to develop forums to encourage veterans, reservists and transitioning Service personnel to apply for skilled jobs. This has included webinars which have resulted in on the spot job offers to Service leavers. As well as industry specific groups, DRMs also liaise with Chambers of Commerce and Small Business Federations which is particularly useful to engage with SMEs. Some Chambers in Scotland are ERS Gold Award holders. Highland RFCA established the Chamber Force initiative which provides finance for forces-friendly employer events: Inverness, Fife and Dundee and Angus Chambers have held or are planning events.
The role played by some Local Authority Armed Forces and Veterans Champions in their engagement with employers, was also noted. In promoting the many benefits of employing veterans and supporting reservists, and in building strong links with employers, they can create relationships of trust which are invaluable in supporting successful transition from Service to civilian life.
It has been interesting to see that some forward-looking employers are beginning to engage with the cadet forces, recognising that whether they eventually become members of the armed forces or not, they develop valuable transferable skills such as self-management and confidence as a result of their cadet training. Arnold Clark is one such employer which has started holding employment open days for cadets.
Employers’ Perspective
An approach that is reaping dividends for both employers and veterans is to have some form of dedicated recruitment pathway that identifies Service leavers and veterans and provides some additional support such as CV ‘translation’ for hiring managers, buddy systems or mentoring and military employee resource groups. Previous SVC reports have highlighted this approach by Police Scotland and Barclays.
This non-exhaustive list of employers with bespoke veteran pathways demonstrates the wide variety of industries from aviation to waste management services, which actively recruit Service leavers: Airbus, Babcock, Balfour Beatty, Boeing, Atkins Realis, Avove Utilities, Bombardier Services UK, Boston Consulting Group, British Airways, Compass Group, FDM, Inzpire, John Deere, Leonardo UK, Lloyd’s of London, M Group, M&C Saatchi World Services, MBDA, Mears Group, Microsoft, Morson Group, Mott Macdonald, Siemens Mobility, SP Energy Networks, Sunbelt Rentals. There are many more.
Many employers now recognise that Service leavers and veterans represent a significant pool of talent and have developed specific military recruitment pathways. This includes the Military programme at Galliford Try which actively recruits through CTP as well as offering two week placements for those who want to experience what it is like to work at Galliford Try and what a career in construction could entail.
AECOM actively recruits ex-Service personnel, including supporting reservists by providing generous leave to undertake duties and to support military charities. AECOM recognises that Service in the Armed Forces provides people with experiences and a skillset which are enormously valuable to businesses. It has seen recruits excel through the leadership, decision making and team building skills they have developed during their time in Service.
In 2025, SP Energy Networks launched its EMPower Network Programme, a 12-month paid trainee pathway designed to support ex-military personnel transitioning into the power industry. Recruitment was delivered through veteran networks, social media and open days. Ex-military employees played a key role in outreach, mentoring, and interviews. The programme includes a structured induction led by senior leaders, featuring accredited technical training and safety certification. Participants undertake tailored placements, supported by mentors and managers, with rotational experiences, training, and networking opportunities to build skills and integration, leading to potential permanent roles.
Sunbelt Rentals actively recruits from the Armed Forces community through a structured pathway developed with its veteran network. A dedicated veterans careers page supports this approach by helping translate military experience into civilian roles. Candidates can match their military backgrounds to opportunities, while hiring managers are supported in recognising transferable skills. An expression of interest route guarantees veterans an interview with trained Veteran Ambassadors, who provide guidance and advocacy.
Based in Erskine, Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company is a social enterprise and a market leader in the production of signs. Its mission is to enable veterans and others with disabilities to regain their independence through personal development involving employment and skills. It provides employment and delivers nationally recognised training and qualifications with ongoing development opportunities for veterans, their families and others facing barriers to employment in Scotland. Since its launch in 2018 over 100 veterans have benefited from employment, volunteering, support or development opportunities and 80% of its current team are veterans, veteran family members or have a disability.
Engineering, management and development consultancy Mott MacDonald has established a dedicated Armed Forces Pathway, including a talent pool and ringfenced roles tailored to Service leavers, with a focus on skills and experience. Line managers are equipped to understand transition challenges and provide appropriate support. Applicants can self-identify to access tailored assistance, including mentoring, application review, and representation on interview panels. Onboarding includes access to buddy schemes and employee networks, supporting integration and engagement within the business.
