A time of year when the Armed Forces community takes centre stage, Remembrance provides an opportunity for the nation to show its gratitude to past and serving personnel and their families. For those coming to the end of their service careers, the transition from military to civilian life can be challenging, particularly when it comes to securing meaningful employment.
That’s why earlier in the year, SMMT, in partnership with Mission Automotive, launched a new Veterans’ Career Guide aimed at helping more ex-Armed Forces personnel start a career in the automotive sector. The guide provides advice on roles, skills in demand, and qualifications needed for careers across manufacturing, engineering, software, supply chain, aftermarket, sales, and motorsport.
SMMT has also earned Gold Employer Recognition Scheme status for its support of the Forces community, and we actively encourage other businesses to do the same.
Other schemes like Veterans for Logistics and professional recognition also help veterans navigate the transition to civilian life. For employers in sectors experiencing skills shortages, such as logistics and heavy vehicle maintenance, it also provides a trusted route for talent acquisition.
Veterans into Logistics, a UK-based charity, is leading the way by providing veterans, service leavers and reservists with a clear pathway into the logistics sector. Through fully funded HGV-driver training, practical job application support, and direct links to employers, the charity is creating opportunities that transform lives while addressing a critical skills gap in the UK economy.
Operating nationally across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, Veterans into Logistics partners with leading logistics companies to ensure that training leads to tangible employment outcomes. This collaborative approach guarantees that candidates not only gain the necessary qualifications but also secure interviews and, ultimately, sustainable careers. For veterans, this means financial stability, renewed purpose, and the chance to contribute to a vital industry.
The charity’s work reflects a broader movement to recognise and leverage the transferable skills of military personnel. Just as the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME) invests in preparing their engineers for transitioning into civilian life, a key example of this is their commitment to engineering professionalism – working closely with Professional Engineering Institutions such as the Society of Operations Engineers to develop engineers toward Engineering Technician, Incorporated Engineer, or Chartered Engineer status at the Engineering Council.
Military experience in handling complex machinery and operating under pressure translates seamlessly into the competencies required for maintaining large goods vehicles. This alignment ensures that veterans’ skills are not lost but repurposed to everyone’s benefit.
