Hello and welcome to the inaugural issue of The JobOppO Bugle
The JobOppO Bugle will be published quarterly online and designed as the turn to resource for both Service Leavers, Veterans, Employment Partners and other members of the JobOppO Community
The JobOppO Bugle will feature top quality content from employers and training providers alike as well as featuring a range of news stories from members of the JobOppO community, delivering insight, introductions and opportunities
I am thrilled to be launching The Bugle on behalf of JobOppO and hope this regular publication offers support and advice to those navigating the move from military to Veteran life as well as those seeking to reset their career on civvy street The Bugle will also encourage employers to review their own internal pathways and programmes, considering if and how these might be improved
Having served nine years in the Royal Air Force and six and a half years as Editor of military resettlement publicationPathfinder International - I am well versed in what is now an industry in its own right
Ironically, my own period of resettlement and transition was something like a twoweek period With MOD cuts hanging overhead at the time, back in 2011, if you had a job lined up to go to, you were free to leave I had secured a role with a former boss working out in Kabul, Afghanistan as a civilian contractor and between initially raising the subject with the Chief Clerk at RAF Northolt and handing my ID card on the way out of the main gate on camp, was a scary 14 days
Needless to say, through lack of networking and planning, things eventually
caught up with me and whilst I was always in employment (and some would argue, decent senior management roles), I was never fully resettled
This brings the debate of just how fully resettled are you and is this actually a problem or more a product of modern life?
I found myself playing catch up as I was not mentally prepared for leaving the forces and to compound the negativity felt at the time, I beat myself up about it, cursing myself over and over for allowing this position to arise
The truth is planning, preparation and networking are vital to combat a number of facets of transition in life and this can not and should not be ignored However, what should also be remembered is that like any business plan or life projection, things need to be fluid Things happen in life, things change, plans don’t always work for some reason or another - often out of your hands Allow things to be flexible, have contingency elements built in, but most importantly - don’t beat yourself up - these things happen
This is why tools and resources such as the JobOppO House app, website and now the JobOppO Bugle are vital in helping you form that plan, seek advice and of course the chance to network both online and in person
You can never “over network”, nor can you have too many tools at your disposal, it is
simply how you use them and in terms of resettlement and transition, the process is very much individualistic, with no set formula for everyone en masse
Your OppO and you could have the same interests, military career, work experience, outlook and ethos on life, yet you could have very different family requirements or financial needs at any given time, which will dictate to a certain extent, what you do next in life Bear this in mind, the process isn't one size fits all
By flicking through the pages of the JobOppO Bugle you are on the right track, no matter what stage you are at on your journey, be it, merely thinking about what’s out there, to being in the latter stages of resettlement, to having left the forces over ten years ago (like me), there is something inside of us all, as there is in our app (JobOppO House) and website
“MAKE FULL USE OF THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE… HAPPY NETWORKING!”
Personnel leaving the military are to receive more support for finding jobs in civilian life thanks to a new contract between the Ministry of Defence and Reed in Partnership who have taken over the contract from Right Management
We are told the number of professional training courses for soon-to-be veterans will more than double as Reed seek to bring their own flavour to this very important delivery programme
Training in areas ranging from transport, to railway management, to cyber security will endeavour to give Service Leavers the best opportunity of finding employment
The Career Transition Partnership has supported those leaving the Armed Forces for over 25 years, as they transition from the military into civilian life
With approximately 15,000 service leavers benefitting from these services annually and 87% of those using the system gaining employment, the partnership will improve the advice on offer for service leavers around the country Services, which will be a combination of face to face, online and instructor led, will also be tailored to those living in devolved nations Courses will be geared towards future careers in areas like engineering, cyber security, healthcare and renewable energy
Minister for Defence People and Families, Rt Hon Dr Andrew Murrison MP said:
“It is vital that service leavers are given the correct tools to have the best possible start in their new lives From career counselling to vocational training, this new partnership will give individuals the confidence and skills to find employment and increase their opportunities
I am thrilled to announce this new partnership, which will continue the awardwinning work to support Armed Forces personnel and their families as they transition to civilian life
This collaboration reinforces our commitment to providing the best possible opportunities for those who have bravely served our country ”
All service leavers will benefit from enhanced transition support from specialist advisors and careers consultants under the new contract, to meet their chosen outcomes which typically range from seeking civilian employment, re-entering Higher/Further Education or retirement
The transition from the current contract with Right Management Ltd to Reed in Partnership will be complete in October 2024, starting with a phased approach to ensure that the services offered to current service leavers are not disrupted
Over the previous 25 years the awardwinning CTP has supported over 310,000 service leavers to transition into civilian life,
the new partnership with Reed will build on the excellence of the current contract
CEO and Chairman of Reed in Partnership, James Reed CBE said:
“Reed in Partnership has a long history of supporting people to achieve their goals through employability, education, training and career transition services This includes many veterans and reservists, whose unique skills and experiences can be so greatly utilised in civilian life
As an Armed Forces Covenant signee, we are committed to ensuring that people who serve or have served in the armed forces and their families are treated fairly and supported appropriately Our delivery of the CTP service will be informed by this commitment Our extensive range of employer relationships and community partnerships means we are well placed to continue the success of this important service ”
JobOppO plans to continue our work alongside the new incumbent, offering to bridge the gap between Service Leavers and the Veterans community
The JobOppO portfolio not only includes our employability content, podcasts, live events, a user-friendly job board and the JobOppO House app-based community but also a monthly online event called JobOppO Connects Here we focus a little more on this
JobOppO Connects is a monthly interactive webinar series offering OppOs a great way to hear directly from the HR or Talent teams working in some of our Employment Partners and fellow Veterans working there also OppOs learn about what the company does, what live roles they have and what interesting programmes they have around the corner Additionally, OppOs will gain an understanding of the support and challenge the company offers and why their company is a good place to be a Veteran
Like a lot of what goes on in the JobOppO eco-system, JobOppO Connects is all about
It will be a relaxed and informative virtual Employment and networking event We've briefed the Employment Partners and asked them to:
Spend 5 minutes introducing their organisation, including details of AF programmes and pathways, Veteran networks
Talk about their live roles and what they predict may come online in the short term
Discuss the kind of skills and attributes their organisation is looking for
Share their contact details
We know, that when you're looking for a new organisation to work for, it's important to get as much insight as you canand we hope the JobOppO network will enable that.
JobOppO recognises some Veterans and Service Leavers can struggle to appreciate and articulate the skills, knowledge and attitude they accrued while in uniform Building, working on and utilising your network, particularly if you’re yet to leave the military, is a sure-fire way of opening doors, increasing confidence and finding a place where your value is respected and needed.
Selection of some of our Veteran friendly Employment Partners
Selection of partners in our community
As the UK’s communications regulator, we’re delivering vital work that helps keep the UK connected and shapes the future of howwe’llstayconnectedwitheachother.
Our work covers everything from phones and broadband, through to TV, radio, the postal service, and wireless devices We’re also taking on the challenge of making the online world a safer place. And we need people of all backgrounds, skill sets, and experiencestohelpusachieveourgoalofmakingcommunicationsworkforeveryone.
We look after the airwaves used by wireless devices like cordless phones, walkie talkies and even some car keys and doorbells.
We also help to make sure people don’t get scammed and are protected from bad practices This is particularly important for vulnerableorolderpeople
AtOfcomwemakecommunicationworkforeveryone
Ofcom’s role is an important and varied one We make sure people get the best from their broadband, home phone and mobile services, as well as keeping an eye on TV and radio. We also oversee the postal service, and manage the radio spectrum.Andsoonwe’llbetakingonresponsibilityformakingtheonlineworldasaferplace.
Keepingpeoplesafe
We help protect people from unfair treatment and scams. We provide advice and information to thousands of people each year, through our website and call centre We also register complaints from people and businesses – this helps us to take action against firms when they break our rules We’re also currently preparing to take on new powers for regulating online safety.
Checkoutourlatestroles: careersofcom
Use your technical and engineering meaningful civilian career in Facilities Management (FM) at OCS. Our Technic y pp y y pertise to a role that values your military background.
WhyFacilitiesManagementatOCS?
CompetitiveSalary:
Recognisingyourtechnicalandengineeringskillsfromthe military,weofferacompetitivesalary
FullyFundedQualifications:
Accesstraininganddevelopmentthroughthe ApprenticeshipLevytoexpandyourskillset.
CorporateandRetailPerks:
Exclusivebenefitstoeaseyourtransitionintocivilianlife
EmployeeAssistancePrograms:
Comprehensivesupportforyourwell-beingandpersonal
UnlockNewOpportunities:
Explorearangeofroles,fromhands-onpositionsinmechanical,electrical,gas,orplumbingengineeringtoleadershipand managerialroles Yourskillsarethekeytounlockingdiverseopportunitiesandmakingameaningfulimpact
NationwideOpportunitiesAwait:
Discover Facilities Management roles across the UK, with vacancies in key locations such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Scotland, and the South West. We also offer mobile and regional positions, providing flexibility to suit your preferences
YourTransferableSkills:
Bring your technical expertise to real-world challenges, apply your engineering know-how to contribute to the success of diverseprojects,andutiliseyourteamleadershipskillstoguideandmentorteamsinasupportiveenvironment.
HowtoApply:
SendyourCVtoMartin.Frost@ocs.comorviewourcareerspage
JobOppO’s Mal Robinson caught up with Angus Peacock, Royal Navy Veteran who has been living in San Diego for 10 years following a 12-year stint in China, to speak of his experiences using the JobOppO HouseAppandchewthefatingeneral
“Even though I am a long way away from the UK, when I was in the mob, I signed up like a lot of folks sign up for your own personalreasonsandwhenIwasin,Idida lot of travel around the UK, met a lot of people,didmybitofserviceandthenwent overseas and I just kind of realised how many people struggle with transition (from the forces)” begins Angus, when we chat about the individualistic process of leaving theforces
“I went back for a 25-year reunion with my cohorts from way back and some of them did five, ten, fifteen, twenty years, and they allwentthroughthesametransitional
processesanditwasinterestingtohearthe struggletheyhadleavingthemilitary
And so it is great to be able to put yourself out there as a mentor and offer advice and offer lived experience so it helps others whenleaving”continuesAngus
“I have been away a long time (overseas) and there was kind of a gap in my links backtotheUKandtheywerekindoffading anditwasnevermyintentiontocutmyself off totally from the motherland and the longer I am away, the more I am away and themoreInternationalexperienceIget,the harder it has become to come back, but I still like going back to the UK and connecting and when we had the 25-year reunion,somefolksreachedoutfrombasic training and we had a great time and really connected with them as people and it felt goodtoseethemagain,butalsoquitesadI hadallowedthatvacuumtooccur
JobOppO and a few other groups like Gen Dit came up online and I kind of liked reading what people were posting and talking about, it made me laugh and it made me feel warm and fuzzy and I just thought, this is my connection back to the motherland, this is how I am going to network and this is how I am going to maintainmyconnectivitywithhome”
We round off our conversation by asking Angus for his one word of advice for anyone wanting to move to the States “Just make sure you engage with things” he simply answers, just as Angus has with JobOppOandhismilitarycommunityonce more
Whetheryou’rethinkingofre-trainingcompletelyorlookingtomoveoninyourspecialism, weoffermanydifferentopportunitiesacrossthebusiness,fromprojectmanagementandall engineeringdisciplinestocorporatefunctions(suchasHR,financeandsupplychain management).
JamesRoberts
We begin our introductions to JobOppO team members in each edition of The JobOppO Bugle by meeting one of our Directors-JamesRoberts
A proud grandson of a WW2 Veteran,Jamesiskeentouse
his commercial experience to ensure employers are fully aware of the breadth of talent and opportunity that exists withintheVeterancommunity
James leads JobOppO’s Employment Partner relationships ensuring our Employment Partners fully understand our community and the benefits they can bring to their business andoperations
James is a member of the JobOppO board and instrumental in our direction, governance and the support offered to our community
InJames’ownwords,hereisalittlemoreabouthimself…
DatingBio(ifIwasn’thappilymarried)
Height-6ft3inches(happilychubby,alwaysworkingon beinglesschubby)
As part of JobOppO’s team, we have three Ambassadors who represent and carry our messageandvalueswiderstill
We take a moment to introduce the first of the JobOppO Ambassadors - Louisa Clarke
Louisa Clarke is a professional whose career spans an impressive journey throughbothmilitaryandciviliansectors
Her decade-long service in the Royal Air Forcewasdistinguishedbyanotable
Star Sign - Cancer (no idea what this means in terms of personalitytraits)
Loves food, most wine, not a fan of beers that taste like beer, I make an exception for our own Veterans Can range of beers My favourite brand is Converse, love my boys who get me out of bed in the morning- not as motivation,justbecausetheyliketowakeupat5am Enjoys building businesses and teams, had some success in the world of coffee and Foodservice, now enjoyinglifeintheworldofVeteranEmployment
Hopes and dreams for the future include continuing to build and improving the JobOppO community, growing our reach and our support for those that have served our country. Adding to my Converse collection and hoping I can provide the tools to help my boys become the best theycanwhereverlifetakesthem
Values - Doing what you say your going to do (unless it’s cutting the lawn), collaboration and surrounding myself withpeoplewithadifferentskillsets
I dislike talking about myself (so this is progress). Checking spelling and grammar because everybody should understand how I write, surely, oh and people whocan’tparkcars!
Commendation in 2004, highlighting her dedicationandexpertise
Transitioning into the Facilities Management (FM) sector seventeen years ago,sheascendedtotheroleofManaging DirectoratoneoftheUK'slargestprivatelyowned FM providers, earning her recognition as an exceptional leader
Among her accolades are the Ex-Forces Business Leader of the Year 2022 and a position among the Top 50 Workplace Leaders
Louisa now channels her expertise into executive coaching, leveraging her extensive background to empower top-tier professionals
Beyond her professional achievements, Louisaisdeeplycommittedtoserviceand
advocacy, she is a proud volunteer including being Chair of the IWFM Veterans Network and Ambassador for JobOppO, Louisa says "as an ambassador forJobOppO,Iamdedicatedtoleveraging my extensive background in the FM sector to champion the transformation of employment opportunities for veterans, ensuring they have the support and pathways necessary to thrive in their civilian careers I encourage all service leaversandveteranstojointhecommunity and tap into the wealth or experience and resourcesavailabletothem"
We here at JobOppO are incredibly proud and privileged to have Louisa and her fellow JobOppO Ambassadors as part of ourteam
JobOppO 12 Week enablement process
Jobs board registration
Welcome from a member of the JobOppO Team and offered an initial support call to assess your needs
Job search tips and advice - emails periodically through 12 weeks
How to create a killer bio
How to create a base CV using AI and our partners at ForcesHorizon
Improve your Employability Skills Networking tips
How to research Sectors & Jobs
Access to additional resources (Podcasts/Blogs and Webinars)
Introductions to Talent Acquisition teams at our Employment Partners
Connect you to OppO Mentors
Attend 'JobOppO Connects' our Virtual Event to hear directly from our Employment Partners
Two further support calls with the JobOppO team
We are convinced the time is right to bring together the global Veteran network, counter the negative noise, instil pride and focus on the positives of life after (and because of) military service, and in January Veterans Can was incorporated as a CIC with a mission to “connect the global Veteran community in order to bring balance, pride and positivity ” People have told us we’re on to something, including UK Veteran Jim who said;
"Why are we always portrayed as losers I don't want any favours, just a fair crack of the whip I'm 36 have done some tough things in some tough situations - but that makes me better, so why do people think I'll struggle? Veterans Can is exactlywhat’sneeded Thanks "
Here Co-Founder and Director Garrath Williams explains more about the inspiration behind and plans for Veterans Can
When military personnel are rinsed and returned, it's up to fellow Veterans to look after their own, regardless of where we are in the world, what uniform we wore, when, or for how long We have a mutual mindset, shared experiences, a common language and have all worked towards a unifying purpose Veterans Can will bring those Veterans together, wherever they are Because we can
As well as connecting our community, Veterans Can will reset the balance Almost 2 5 million Veterans live in the UK, with many more millions worldwide, and while a majority of us go on to forge successful post military lives, societal bias, stigma, and negative perceptions can affect our move into the real world - impacting the silent majority
For far too long, organisations who purport to represent the Veteran community, to have our backs and to support us, have benefited from peddling disproportionate negativity that is at best counterintuitive and at worst, harmful
With balance will come pride in being a Veteran, pride in what we did, pride in what we do now, how well we do it - and why This pride will inspire those beside and behind us to think and talk more positively – all while celebrating Veteranism
To find out more visit www.veterans-can.com or follow on the socials.
What is Veterans Can ?
It is an independent, collective and representative body convened to bring together the global Veteran network, to balance the negative noise, instil pride and focus on the positives of life after (and because of) military service Veterans Can is a community driven social enterprise, guided by its members to amplify the Veteran spirit and effect positive change, offering a viable and innovative alternative to represent the Veteran community and acknowledge the service it provides.
Why is Veterans Can... needed?
We worked together in uniform and should stay together
The silent majority must have each other’s backs, celebrate success, showcase what we can do, offer balance to change the pervading negative narrative - and change perceptions.
When will Veterans Can... do it?
2024/25 will see Veterans Can develop a UK centric mission while advancing global interest and influence via a number of activities, with the initial phase culminating in a huge 5000+ strong Veterans Can Summit in the UK in June 2025 From there concurrently to domestic growth, the campaign will expand globally establishing a unique, collaborative and powerful body for positivity.
How will Veterans Can... do it?
As a social-enterprise revenue will be recycled back into the CIC to increase engagement and enhance growth Through a number of means Veterans Can will raise the funds necessary to carry the mission forward from rewards based crowd-funding, sponsorship, donations, investment opportunities, fundraising activities and membership options
We kick off the top tips section in the first ever issue of The JobOppO Bugle with some great points on CV writing from Director of Veteran Engagement for JobOppO - Garrath Williams
We live in a time-poor environment – no matter how organised we are, and nowadays, the decision to bring someone in for an interview is made in a matter of seconds
The thing standing between a veteran or service leaver and their ability to sell theselves? Sure there are LinkedIn profiles, covering letters and application forms, but nothing comes close (still) to your CV.
Here are a few pointers to help your forces CV
You might assume your previous rank or position is selfexplanatory Or maybe that course you went on offered a universally recognised qualification But, you need to look at every turn of phrase from an outsider’s perspective
That means swapping out words like ‘Troop’ for ‘Team’, ‘Patrol’ for ‘Project’! Talk ‘I’ not ‘We’ – this is hard and may feel Jack Avoiding acronyms like ‘WO2’ or ‘MOD’ If you’re like some of the JobOppO team, you might not realise when you’re dropping in military terms, so before sending it off, show your CV to someone who doesn’t have the foggiest about military! If they start asking questions about a word or a job title, then you need to keep working on it
Always assume the reader has no prior knowledge and it’s your job to help them see the merits of each role you’ve held and how it has shaped you as a person
Not everything on your CV will be relevant to the job you’re applying for You might think that your first job 20 years ago still needs to appear on your CV for chronological sake, but if it isn’t adding value or showing off a different skill then why include it in detail?
It’s easy to describe what you did in previous roles, but your CV shouldn’t resemble your old job spec or a journal Every time you write a sentence about a previous responsibility, ask yourself - so what? Why did you do that? What was the outcome/impact? Always look to use tangible results (stats, figures, percentages etc) the end of each point as the person reading it needs to be able to see results
We know that this is probably the point where we may lose your attention, because what we’re suggesting takes extra time But, adapting your CV specifically to the role you’re applying for is well worth the effort – in fact, it’s a must do
We talk about this ALL the time If you’re looking for a Civvy job, you need to show how your Military skills are transferable to the workplace you’re hoping to get into
It’s often quite a mental leap for people to realise that the skills you learnt in service can be applied to other environments like an office or a hospital Make it really clear that your Military experience, whatever it may be, has taught you things you can take into a new role and as importantly, into your new company Need inspiration? Start with how working in a high-pressured environment built your character - resilience, adaptability, leadership lateral thinking etc
Need more CV advice? Please visit www JobOppO Community
Don’t just take our word for it…
JobOppOpridesitselfonthehighestofstandards-somethingyouwouldexpectfromateamofVeterans.
“The JobOppO community assisted me with self-belief, confidence, and knowing my value in the civilian job market
I am truly thankful for all assistance - particularly from Garrath Williams, who often gave freely of his time to help me in the journey ”
- David, British Army Veteran
“There is such a strong bond within the military, both serving and veterans, that cuts through any civilian misunderstanding of the skill sets on offer Equally, the cross-referencing of knowing others who both employer and employee have served alongside provides an invaluable and subtle reference check on the individual.”
- Simon, British Army Veteran
"Listening to Dom’s podcasts has helped work out what I want to do next - and where I am extremely proud of my achievements "
- Stephen, RAF Veteran
"The sheer level of selfless advice from experts and peers in the JobOppO Community was amazing. Truly really helpful and welcoming."
- James, British Army Veteran
“I AM TRULY THANKFUL FOR ALL ASSISTANCE - PARTICULARLY FROM GARRATH WILLIAMS, WHO OFTEN GAVE HIS TIME TO HELP ME IN THE JOURNEY.”
"The system works, and it's another weapon in your arsenal to successfully find a job on the outside "
- Bradley, Royal Navy Veteran
"I highly recommend signing up with these guys to any veteran looking for your next job or even a career move "
- Sarah, RAF Veteran
“I believe the community only wants the best for all those currently serving, service leavers and veterans ”
- Ben, British Army Veteran
“JobOppO has always been helpful and caring with numerous contacts to put you in the right place for help.”
- Allan, Royal Navy Veteran
