Longer-term employment outcomes of ex-service personnel

For those leaving the Regular United Kingdom (UK) Armed Forces, employment is seen as a key indicator of a successful and sustainable transition. Whilst previous research (Deloitte, 2018; FiMT, 2013), and Ministry of Defence (MOD) employment statistics (MOD, 2021), show that the vast majority of ex-Forces personnel gain employment after leaving, very little consideration has been given towards the longevity of the employment achieved or whether ex-Service personnel are employed in the ‘right’ jobs (i.e. fulfilling, sustainable, matching their aspirations or maximising their potential) (Deloitte, 2018). There remains a lack of research into longer-term life and work outcomes for Service leavers, particularly beyond the two-year point when Career Transition Partnership (CTP)support ceases, and how this links to a person’s time in service. This has also led to previously accepted metrics for measuring success (e.g. finding employment) being viewed as limited in nature, and failing to take into account the ‘softer’ factors or ‘broader Key Performance Indicators’ of successful transition (FiMT, 2013). The aim of this study was to address these gaps in the research and explore the longer-term employment outcomes for ex-Service personnel who have been out of the Armed Forces for at least two years.