Help with training and employment for service leavers

At the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, there are a number of ways we can support in furthering service leavers’ education. We provide the latest information that can help you get in touch with the other organisations that specialise in helping veterans find a job. 

Veteran Jobs: Areas we can help

Sadly, there are some scenarios we cannot help with, but if you qualify for the following circumstances, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund may be able to help you with training or your job search.

Discharge/transition

In situations where you are discharged or transitioned out of the Royal Air Force, we may provide additional assistance over and above the normal resettlement process to assist with transition training courses.

This is something that is not guaranteed, so situations will be handled on a case-by-case basis. 
To find out how we can help, please contact us or use our support finder.

Unemployment and retraining

In some cases, we can provide support to assist those who have found themselves unemployed and in need of financial assistance to cover the cost of training courses.

If you are currently struggling with day-to-day living costs, we do offer support with unexpected one-off payments or assistance in attaining grants. 
You can start the support process through our request for help form.

Other organisations that offer service leaver job support

Below, you can find organisations that are dedicated to assisting service members and veterans in finding their next career. They can provide excellent support through training courses that result in sustained employment.

Service Leavers: Career Transition Support

If you are preparing to leave the RAF, the Ministry of Defence’s Career Transition Partnership (CTP) can provide support to help you transition into civilian life. Through careers advice, training and resettlement services, the CTP helps service leavers prepare for their next career and identify opportunities beyond the Armed Forces.

Future Horizons Programme

Designed to help early Service leavers find and sustain employment on leaving the Armed Forces, the Future Horizons Programme is based on a needs assessment and offers access to training, personal development and educational courses to overcome barriers to work.

The Forces Employment Charity (FEC)

The Forces Employment Charity (FEC) helps those leaving the Armed Forces find and remain in employment. It provides regionally-based comprehensive employment support. There are thousands of job opportunities with employers who value military experience. It can advise you on careers suited to you and know which employers are recruiting in your area. To register your details and get assistance, visit the FEC website.

Civvy Street

Civvy Street provides free and impartial advice on employment, skills and training. Careers advisers will help you decide upon a career path that is right for you and should you require funding, can help you find it. The Civvy Street website also has thousands of jobs for Service leavers from employers who actively recruit ex-Service personnel.

Job Centre Plus

Additionally, you can receive help and support from Jobcentre Plus. Jobcentre Plus has access to a wide range of job vacancies, as well as special training and work programmes.

You may also be eligible to claim Jobseeker's Allowance or Universal Credit payments and other benefits to support you while you look for work. We can provide advice to help you with this.

Specialist help for veterans with a disability

LifeWorks

LifeWorks is a five-day course run by Royal British Legion Industries. It aims to equip ex-Armed Forces personnel with the tools to get into and maintain a civilian job that is appropriate for them. It is available to anyone who has been in the Armed Forces, regardless of when and how long they served for.

The Poppy Factory

As well as providing work for veterans, The Poppy Factory in Richmond helps find work for wounded, injured and sick ex-Service personnel with employers in their own community. They match you up with an employment caseworker to provide one-to-one support to create a career development plan as well as 12 months of in-work support, should you require it.

Support for children's educational costs

If a serving member of the RAF dies or has a severe disability which prevents them from working, we may be able to support their children to go to university or a vocational college. A scholarship can be paid every year for up to four years of undergraduate study to cover living costs.